Satyajit Ray is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century. His films brought Indian cinema global recognition and continue to inspire filmmakers around the world. Here is a look at his life and work.
Early life
Satyajit Ray was born on 2 May 1921 in Calcutta, now Kolkata, into a family of writers and artists. His grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury founded the children’s magazine Sandesh, and his father Sukumar Ray was a famous writer of nonsense verse. Ray studied at Presidency College and then at Santiniketan under Rabindranath Tagore’s influence.
From advertising to cinema
Ray worked as a graphic designer at an advertising agency and designed book covers. Watching films, especially Italian neorealist cinema, inspired him to make his own film.
The Apu Trilogy
- Pather Panchali (1955): based on a novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, it follows a poor family in rural Bengal through the eyes of young Apu. It won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Aparajito (1956): won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
- Apur Sansar (1959): completed the story of Apu’s adulthood.
Together, they are considered among the finest films ever made.
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Other major films
- Jalsaghar (The Music Room).
- Charulata, often called his own favourite.
- Nayak, starring Uttam Kumar.
- Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, a musical fantasy.
- Shatranj Ke Khilari, his Hindi language film.
- The Calcutta trilogy, including Pratidwandi.
Ray often wrote, composed music for, designed and edited his films himself.
Honours
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1984.
- France’s Legion of Honour.
- An honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement in 1992, received from his hospital bed in Kolkata.
- Bharat Ratna in 1992.
He died on 23 April 1992.
Ray the writer
Ray created the detective Feluda and the scientist Professor Shonku, whose stories remain hugely popular in Bengali and in translation. He also revived the Sandesh magazine.
Legacy
- The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata is named after him.
- His films have been restored and preserved, including through work by the Academy Film Archive.
- Filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Akira Kurosawa praised his work.
Where to watch
Restored versions of many Ray films are screened at film festivals and retrospectives in India and abroad, and some are available on streaming platforms and through film societies. The National Film Archive of India in Pune also holds prints of his work.
Bottom line
Satyajit Ray showed the world the depth of Indian storytelling through simple, humane films. More than three decades after his death, his work remains essential viewing.
Source / स्रोत: National Film Archive of India, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
