Satyajit Ray |
| The only
Indian to have won an Oscar for lifetime achievement in films, Satyajit
Ray needs no introduction. A versatile genius, this 6'4'' man showed his
talent as a director, producer, writer, composer and even a graphic
designer.
Ray was born in Calcutta in an artistic and affluent family. His father and grandfather were both writers, the former even used to write nonsense verse. The young 'Manik', as Satyajit was called, was fascinated by art, specially the motion picture. After graduating in economics from Calcutta's Presidency college Satyajit joined Shantiniketan to study commercial art. His first job in 1943 was with a British run advertising agency, D.J. Keymer, as junior visualiser. He spent the next 13 years here, until he became a full-time filmmaker after the success of his first film 'Pather Panchali'. |
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| Did you know? | ||
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| Fundu Fact | ||||
| So interested was Satyajit in cinema that during a six-month trip to Europe in 1950 Ray became a member of the London Film Club and managed to see ninety-nine films in only four-and-a-half months! | ||||
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| Fundu Fact | ||
| In his films, Satyajit Ray tried to capture nature in its element. This was often a difficult task. While filming Aparajito, for example, Ray wanted to capture the chorus of fireflies at night on the camera. But the light that the fireflies gave off was too weak to be filmed and strong lights would have taken away the charm of the scene. So Ray thought of a new way. A bunch of bare-bodied assistants, wearing black loin-cloths were made to hold tiny flashing bulbs. The assistants hopped around in total darkness giving the desired effect. | ||
Satyajit's films were studied in film schools, and watched repeatedly by hopeful film-makers. Many Indian directors like Mani Kaul, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Shyam Benegal admit the enormous influence Ray, India's first internationally recognized movie director, had on them. |
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| Not everyone loves Ray! | ||
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| In 1992,
Satyajit Ray was honoured with an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement. He
received the award from his sickbed in Calcutta, through a special live
satellite-television event. The award was followed by the Indian
Government's recognition in the form of the Bharat Ratna, the ultimate
honour for any Indian. Satyajit Ray died on April 23, 1992. |
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| Some Satyajit Ray films | ||
| 1955-
Pather
Panchali 1956- Aparajito 1957- Parash Pathar 1958- Jalsaghar 1959- Apur Sansar 1963- Mahanagar 1964- Charulata 1968- Goopy Gyn Bagha Byne 1974- Sonar Kella 1975- Jana Aranya 1976- Bala 1977- Shatranj Ke Khiladi 1978- Joi Baba Felunath 1980- Pikoo 1984- Ghare Baire 1989- Ganashatru 1990- Shakha Proshakha 1991- Agantuk |
