Today is the 21st death anniversary of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who was also a reputed writer and artist.
Satyajit Ray (May 2, 1921- April 23, 1992) a man with versatile talents, is widely considered to be one of the greatest film makers in the history of films in the Indian Subcontinent.
Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries and shorts. His first film, Pather Panchali (1955) won eleven international awards including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival and Golden Beer in Berlin film festival. His other renowned films include Charulata, Ashanti Sanket, Ganashatru, Aguntuk among others. An honorary Oscars was awarded to him weeks before his death.
Ray was also outstanding as an author. He wrote several short stories and novels primarily aimed for children and adolescents. Feluda, the detective in his thrillers, and Professor Shonku, the scientist in his science fictions, are characters created by Ray that are still popular among children today, even two decades after his death.
Satyajit Ray’s ancestry was from Kishorgonj district of present day Bangladesh. His grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray and father Sukumar Ray were both noted writers. Born in Kolkata, Satyajit Ray studied at the University of Kolkata and later at Shantiniketan. He began his career as a commercial artist in 1943.
From his deepest passion for films, Ray founded Calcutta’s first film society in 1947 and made his first film, Pather Panchali in 1955, and he never looked back. He won 32 National Film Awards and Bharat Ratna (the Jewel of India) from the Indian Government.
Ray’s died after suffering from old age complications; however, death can not erase the permanent place he has created in the hearts of his fans through his timeless creations.
-With New Age input
