Why this matters now
Satyajit Ray is the most-tested Indian filmmaker in UPSC. Tested for: the Apu Trilogy (Pather Panchali 1955, Aparajito 1956, Apur Sansar 1959); his Bharat Ratna and Honorary Oscar both in 1992; Padma Vibhushan 1976, Dadasaheb Phalke 1985; the magazine Sandesh; and his Feluda + Professor Shonku stories.
Early life: a literary family
Born on 2 May 1921 in Calcutta to Sukumar Ray (legendary Bengali nonsense-verse poet and publisher) and Suprava Ray. His grandfather was Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, founder of the Bengali children’s magazine Sandesh (1913). Satyajit lost his father at 2 and was raised by his mother in extreme financial difficulty. He attended Presidency College Calcutta (BA Economics, 1940) and then Visva-Bharati Santiniketan (1940-42) where he studied painting under Nandalal Bose.
Pather Panchali (1955) — the trilogy begins
Ray worked at the British ad agency D.J. Keymer (1943-56). In London in 1950 he watched Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves 99 times in 6 months and decided to make a film of Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s “Pather Panchali” (Song of the Little Road, 1929). With no studio backing, he funded the production by pledging his wife Bijoya’s jewellery and borrowing a Mitchell camera. After 3 years of struggle, the West Bengal Government bailed him out. The film premiered at New York’s MoMA on 3 May 1955, where it won acclaim. The Cannes 1956 Best Human Document prize made him a global figure.
The Apu Trilogy and beyond
| Film | Year | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Pather Panchali | 1955 | Cannes Best Human Document 1956 |
| Aparajito | 1956 | Golden Lion Venice 1957 |
| Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) | 1959 | Sutherland Trophy London 1960 |
Other major films: Parash Pathar (1958), Jalsaghar (The Music Room) 1958, Devi (1960), Mahanagar (1963), Charulata (1964 — Bergman called it his favourite), Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne (1969), Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), the Calcutta Trilogy (Pratidwandi, Seemabaddha, Jana Aranya, 1970-76), Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977, Hindi, Amjad Khan/Saeed Jaffrey/Sanjeev Kumar), Ghare Baire (1984), Agantuk (1991).
1992 — Bharat Ratna and Honorary Oscar
Ray was bedridden in Bellevue Nursing Home, Calcutta, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences awarded him the Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement (16 March 1992) — presented to him on his hospital bed via a satellite link. India conferred the Bharat Ratna in 1992 as well. He died on 23 April 1992, aged 70.
Other awards: Padma Bhushan 1965, Padma Vibhushan 1976, Dadasaheb Phalke 1985, Legion of Honour 1987 (France), 36 National Film Awards, Lifetime Achievement Oscar — the only Indian filmmaker to receive it.
UPSC angle
Know Satyajit Ray (b. Calcutta 2 May 1921, d. 23 April 1992) — father Sukumar Ray, grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury (founded Bengali children’s magazine Sandesh 1913); Presidency College Economics 1940, Visva-Bharati Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose 1940-42; D.J. Keymer ad agency 1943-56; inspired by Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves watched 99 times in London 1950; PATHER PANCHALI 1955 (Bibhutibhushan novel 1929) funded with wife Bijoya’s jewellery + Mitchell camera + WB Govt bail-out, MoMA NY premiere 3 May 1955, Cannes Best Human Document 1956; APU TRILOGY = Pather Panchali 1955 + Aparajito 1956 (Golden Lion Venice 1957) + Apur Sansar 1959 (Sutherland Trophy 1960); Charulata 1964 (Bergman favourite); Calcutta Trilogy 1970-76; Shatranj Ke Khilari 1977 (Hindi); honours: Padma Bhushan 1965, Padma Vibhushan 1976, Dadasaheb Phalke 1985, Legion of Honour 1987, HONORARY OSCAR Lifetime Achievement 16 March 1992 (hospital bed in Bellevue Nursing Home Calcutta via satellite), BHARAT RATNA 1992; only Indian filmmaker to receive Oscar Lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Apu Trilogy?
Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959) — the three films of Satyajit Ray based on Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s Apu novels.
Who pledged her jewellery for Pather Panchali?
Bijoya Ray, Satyajit Ray’s wife — her jewellery was used as collateral to fund the early shooting of the film.
When did Satyajit Ray receive the Honorary Oscar?
On 16 March 1992 — the only Indian filmmaker ever to receive the Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement.
What is Sandesh?
A Bengali children’s magazine founded by Ray’s grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury in 1913. Ray revived it in the 1960s and edited it himself.