Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming about a better life for himself and his loved ones, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. His wife, Sarbojaya, manages her daughter, Durga, along with her son, Apu, in addition to Harihar aunt Indir. Whereas their parents suffer the daily indignities heaped upon them, the children enjoy the little joys of the difficult life.