Satyajit Ray wore many hats. He was a filmmaker, Screenwriter, author, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher and music composer.
Ray was born on May 2, 1921 in Kolkata, Bengal to a prominent Bengali family. His family members could trace themselves back for 10 generations. His grandfather Upendrakishore Ray was a writer and a leader in the Brahmo Samaj and his father Sukumar Ray wrote and illustrated children’s books and poetry.
Ray studied in Ballygunge Government High School and graduated in Economics from Presidency College, Kolkata.
Ray was always drawn to the arts and began his career working at an advertising agency. He also illustrated the covers of various books including ‘Pather Panchali’ by Bibhutibhushan Bandyo-padhyay. He was deeply moved by the work and used it as the subject of his first film ‘Pather Panchali’ in 1955, which was critically acclaimed. This film was the first in the Apu trilogy, the others being ‘Aparajito’ in 1956 and ‘Apur Sansar’ in 1959.
Ray received 36 National Film Awards in his career, a Golden Lion, a Golden Bear, 2 Silver Bears, many additional awards at international film festivals and ceremonies and an Academy Honorary Award in 1992.
The Government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna in 1992. That same year, Ray’s health deteriorated due to heart complications. He was admitted to a hospital but never recovered. He died on April 23, 1992. This year we commemorate the 30th death anniversary of the legendary director.
Picture Credit : Google
