Satyajit Ray
‘Pather Panchali’ actress Uma Dasgupta passes away
Uma Dasgupta, the actress who portrayed Durga in Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali” has passed away at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness.
Hindi cinema used to operate in an alternative reality: Shabana Azmi
Indian veteran actress Shabana Azmi has recently captivated the audience during a masterclass moderated by actress Vidya Balan at the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. The two icons shared insights on their journeys, the challenges of acting across different mediums, and their thoughts on the evolution of Hindi cinema.
Movies and Miles / From ‘Feluda’ to ‘Derry Girls’: Why we seek out fictional places
One of my earliest adventures into culture-based tourism was following the trail of Feluda in Kolkata, tracing the steps of Satyajit Ray’s famous detective. Since organised culture-based tourism wasn’t really a thing in this part of the world, I had to piece together the trail on my own.
Satyajit-Soumitra's memorial house lost to corporates
Satyajit Ray and Soumitra Chatterjee once shared a three-story flat at 3 Lake Temple Road in South Kolkata. This house holds a place of remembrance for two iconic figures in Bengali cinema, has now changed ownership and is in the hands of a corporate body. Anandabazar Online, an Indian media outlet, has published a report on the current condition of this historic residence.
ESSAY / Chronicling the ’70s through Satyajit Ray
The Calcutta trilogy withstands the test of time and seems relevant to us even today, perhaps because Satyajit Ray was keen to ask questions rather than suggest a solution to the audience
Birthday Special / Into the multiverse of Satyajit
Satyajit Ray and his brilliance have been a quintessential part of Bengali cinema and its representation worldwide for decades. Talking about why and how his masterpieces are legendary never seems enough, and perhaps it never will be.
The lesser-known facets of cinematic maestro Satyajit Ray
Born on May 2, 1921, Ray’s artistic journey began in the realm of commercial art before he became a filmmaker. His encounter with French filmmaker Jean Renoir and his experience with Vittorio De Sica's groundbreaking film “Bicycle Thieves” during a trip to London were pivotal, steering him toward independent filmmaking.
‘Feluda’ actor Sabyasachi Chakraborty hospitalised
The “Feluda” famed actor might be admitted to the hospital for the placement of a pacemaker in his heart. However, his family members didn’t reveal anything regarding Sabyasachi’s illness or the reason behind his hospital admission, stated the newspaper.
#Perspective / Why every child deserves a cousin like Feluda!
Discover the Enduring Legacy of Feluda: Satyajit Ray's beloved detective series continues to enchant audiences, with its charismatic protagonist, Felu, and his youthful sidekick Topshey. Drawing parallels to Sherlock Holmes, Feluda's adventures inspire curiosity and admiration, much like real-life figures such as the author's cousin, Russell. Despite societal misgivings, Russell, like Feluda, nurtured a thirst for knowledge and exploration. Through literature and personal anecdotes, the article celebrates the timeless appeal of childhood heroes, advocating for every child to have their own Feluda-like mentor.
The iconic Babita’s birthday: What are her plans?
When asked further about her plans today, she said, “The day is only starting here. My son will surprise me today, to make the day memorable”.
Time ranks 'Pather Panchali' among best films of past ten decades
"Pather Panchali" was one of the first Indian films to garner international attention, and it helped to establish the cultural movement known as parallel cinema.
Home is where my books are
How do you pack 25 years of your life in two suitcases?
Jaya Ahsan remembers Satyajit Ray on his birthday
Today marks the 102nd birthday of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. His contributions to Bengali cinema are unparalleled. Many Bengali film artistes and celebrities are paying tribute to him in various ways today.
My first foray into fiction with Feluda
Growing up, I never analysed what drew me to the Feluda novels. It is only now that I marvel at how Feluda remained the fiction novel read at leisure by a self-proclaimed Bookworm such as myself for so long in my childhood.
Babita remembers the great Satyajit Ray
On the birthday of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, Babita shared her memory of working with him.
Remembering Satyajit Ray through his revolutionary female characters
Ray's portrayal of women in his films was not limited to his female characters' on-screen presence. He also worked closely with women behind the scenes, such as his wife, Bijoya Ray, who was his constant collaborator and partner.
Satyajit Ray: A director's gaze
He created two lasting popular characters in Bengali literature—the debonair detective Felu Da and the brilliant scientist Professor Shonku. The brilliance of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Isaac Asimov neatly packed into one creative mind that was Ray's.
What makes Professor Shonku so special to us?
As Bengalis, we have grown up reading Satyajit Ray. Who does not remember the clever, witty, and adventurous detective, Feluda? Or the highly revered Professor Shonku, an eccentric scientist, inventor, explorer, and polyglot? Today, we celebrate one of these characters, Professor Trilokeshwar Shonku, paying a humble tribute to the Bengali maestro that is Satyajit Ray. For many of us, Ray was the entrance to Bengali literature, and the Shonku series — an influential work of science fiction in the Bengali language.
Five Bangla films that show what love is
This Valentine's Day, grab a cup of tea and your loved one and immerse in the movies suggested below.