Satyajit Ray (1921–1992), a
Bengali
Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to:
*something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia
* Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region
* Bengali language, the language they speak
** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
film director from
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
, is well known for his contributions to
Bengali literature. He created two of the most famous characters in
Feluda
Feluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra itter'', is a fictional detective, Private investigator created by famous Indian director and writer Satyajit Ray. Feluda resides at 21 Rajani Sen Road, Ballygunge, Calcutta, West Bengal. Feluda first made his ap ...
the sleuth, and
Professor Shonku the scientist. He wrote several short
novels and stories in addition to those based on these two characters. His fiction was targeted mainly at younger readers (mostly teenagers), though it became popular among children and adults alike.
Most of his novels and stories in Bengali have been published by
Ananda Publishers,
Kolkata
Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , the official name until 2001) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary business, comme ...
; and most of his screenplays have been published in Bengali in the literary journal ''Ekshan'', edited by his close friend Nirmalya Acharya. During the mid-1990s, Ray's film essays and an anthology of short stories were also published in the West. Many of the stories have been translated into
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
and published.
Feluda stories
Feluda, whose real name is ''Pradosh Chandra Mitter'', is a fictional
Kolkata
Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , the official name until 2001) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary business, comme ...
-based
private investigator
A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI and informally called a private eye), a private detective, or inquiry agent is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigators of ...
. He is usually accompanied by 2 sidekicks: ''Topshe'' (his cousin–''Tapesh Ranjan Mitra'') and ''Lalmohan Ganguly'', usually described as ''Lalmohan Babu'' (who himself writes with the pseudonym of ''
Jatayu
Jatayu ( sa, जटायुः, IAST: ) is a demigod in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'', who has the form of either an eagle or a vulture. He is the younger son of Aruṇa and his wife Shyeni, the brother of Sampati, as well as the nephew of Garud ...
''), a bumbling writer of crime fiction.
Satyajit Ray wrote thirty-five Feluda stories, most of which were extremely popular, and made into films two of the Feluda stories–''
Sonar Kella
''Sonar Kella'' ( bn, সোনার কেল্লা), also ''Shonar Kella'', is a 1971 mystery novel written by by Bengali writer and filmmaker Satyajit Ray. In 1974, Ray directed a film adaption of the book, also named ''Sonar Kella'', ...
'' (The Golden Fortress) (1974) and ''
Joi Baba Felunath'' (The Elephant God) (1978).
Professor Shonku stories
Professor Trilokeshwar Shonku (Professor Shonku), is a fictional scientist and inventor appearing in a series of science-fiction stories and books. He lives in
Giridih
Giridih is headquarters of the Giridih district of Jharkhand state, India. The city of Giridih is known for its industrial and health sectors, as well as its scenic beauty. Giridih houses the Giridih Coalfield which is one of the oldest coalfie ...
beside the river Usri. He has a male servant named Prahllad and a cat named Newton living in the house. He was a child prodigy, and achieved several academic distinctions. He has his own laboratory in his house where he does research for many new and fantastic inventions. He has many scientist allies, like Jeremy Saunders, Wilhelm Kroll, and John Summerville. He has a neighbor, Abinash Chandra Majumdar, who makes fun of his inventions, but are nevertheless good friends. Along with Abinashbabu, he also has a friend named Nakur Chandra Biswas, a man who is gifted with
supernatural powers and skills. He is world-renowned for the armory of these
diverse inventions. The adventures of Professor Shonku are set in several countries throughout the world.
* ''
Professor Shonku'' New Script, Calcutta 1965.
* ''
Professor Shonkur Kandokarkhana'' (Professor Shonku's Deeds).
Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1970.
* ''
Shabash Professor Shonku'' (Bravo Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1974.
* ''
Mahasankatey Shonku'' (Shonku in Deep Peril). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1977.
* ''
Swayang Professor Shonku'' (None other than Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1980.
* ''
Shonku Ekai Aksho'' (Shonku, All in All). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1983.
* ''
Punashcha Professor Shonku'' (Shonku once again). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1993.
* ''
Selam Professor Shonku'' (Hats off, Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta, 1995.
* ''Shonku Samagra'' (Complete Shonku collection) Ananda Publishers, Kolkata January 2002,
Tarini khuro stories
Tarini khuro (Tarini Uncle)is an aged bachelor (khuro is an old Bengali term meaning uncle) who can tell interesting stories based on his weird experiences. Many of these stories border on being horror stories or spooky stories, while some of the stories depict the smartness and quick wit of Tarini khuro.
Bankubabur Bandhu
''Bankubabur Bandhu'' (''Banku Babu's Friend'' or ''Mr. Banku's Friend'') was a
Bengali science fiction story Ray had written in 1962 for ''
Sandesh Sandesh may refer to:
* Sandesh (confectionery), a Bengali sweet prepared in Bangladesh and India
* ''Sandesh'' (magazine), a children's magazine in West Bengal
* ''Sandesh'' (Indian newspaper), a Gujarati newspaper
* ''Sandesh'' (Pakistani newspa ...
'', the Ray family magazine, which gained popularity among
Bengalis
Bengalis (singular Bengali bn, বাঙ্গালী/বাঙালি ), also rendered as Bangalee or the Bengali people, are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the Bengal region of ...
in the early 1960s. What differentiated ''Bankubabur Bandhu'' from previous
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...
was the portrayal of an alien from outer space as a kind and playful being, invested with magical powers and capable of interacting with children, in contrast to earlier science fiction works which portrayed aliens as dangerous creatures.
Several
science fiction films were inspired by the story, including
Rakesh Roshan
Rakesh Roshan (born 6 September 1949) is an Indian film producer, director, screenwriter, and actor who works in Hindi films. He is the son of Indian music director Roshan and Indian Bengali singer Ira Roshan. He had appeared in 84 films thr ...
's ''
Koi... Mil Gaya'',
which itself inspired the
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
n television series ''Si Yoyo''. Ray believed that
Steven Spielberg’s ''
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' was also inspired by the story, though Spielberg has said that it was not. The story of ''Bankubabur Bandhu'' itself was eventually adapted into a
television film
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
by Satyajit's son
Sandip Ray
Sandip Ray (born 8 September 1953) is an Indian film director and music director who mainly works in Bengali cinema. He is the only child of the famous Bengali director Satyajit Ray and Bijoya Ray.
Life and education
Sandip Ray was born in C ...
alongside
Kaushik Sen
Koushik Sen (born 19 September 1968) is an Indian actor of film, television and theatre based in Kolkata. He is the director of the well-acclaimed theatre group Swapnasandhani. He has won the BFJA awards for best supporting actor for his perform ...
in 2006.
Other short stories
Satyajit Ray penned many short stories not based on any famous characters. These stories, which used to be published as collections of twelve stories, were mostly urbane, and were very unassuming until the last line or last paragraph where suddenly a new revelation left the reader amazed. Many of these stories dealt with the way trivial incidents change the course of one's life, while some other stories were chilling horror stories. The language of the stories was very straightforward and lucid.
Ray also translated some short stories (mostly adventure stories) from English and a collection of stories named ''Braziler Kalo Bagh'' was published. He also translated Ray Bradbury's 'Third Expedition' from ''Martian Chronicles'' as 'Mongol-i Shorgo'(Mars is Heaven).
Other books
*
Ekei Bole Shooting
* Apur Panchali
*
Toray Bandha Ghorar Dim
* Mollah Nasiruddin-er Galpo
* Brazil-er kalo bagh
*
Pikoor Diary O Onnanyo
* Jakhon Chhoto Chilam
* Sujon harbola
* Protikriti
* Bishoy Chalochitro
* Our Films Their Films
* kanchonjongha (film script)
* Nayak (film script)
* Sakhaprosakha (film script)
*
My Years with Apu: A Memoir
* Deep Focus
12 Series
* Ek Dozon Gappo
* Aaro Ek Dozon
* Aaro Baro
* Ebaro Baro
* Bah! Baro
* Eker Pithe Dui
* Jobor Baro
Short stories
* ''Pterodactyl-er Dim'' (''The Pterodacyl's Egg'')
* ''Bonkubabu'r Bondhu'' (''Bonku Babu's Friend)''
* Septopuser Khide (The Hungry Septopus)
* Nil Atanka (Indigo)
* Badur Bibhishika (The Vicious Vampire)
* ''Master Angshuman''
* Anko Sir, Golapi Babu O Tipu (The Math Teacher, Mr Pink and Tipu)
* Fritz
* ''Shibu O Rakkhos-er Katha'' (''The Tale of Shibu and the Monster'')
* Spotlight
* ''Rontu'r Dadu'' (''Rontu's Grandfather'')
* Sujon Harbola
* Raton O Lokkhi
* ''Pikoo'r Diary'' (''Pikoo's Diary'')
* Mayurkonthi Jelly
* Arjosekhor-er Janmo O Mrityu (The Life and Death of Aryashekhar)
* ''Kaagtaruya'' (''The Scarecrow'')
* Bahuroopi (Chameleon)
* ''Sahodeb Babu'r Portrait'' (''Sahadev Babu's Portrait'')
* ''Brown Saheb-er Baari'' (''Mr. Brown's Cottage'')
* ''Sadananda-er Khude Jogot'' (''The Small World of Sadananda'')
* Professor Hiji-bij-bij
* Baatik Babu (Mr Eccentric)
* ''Bhakto'' (The Admirer)
* Bishful
* Load Shedding
* Anathbabu'r Bhoy (Anath Babu's Terror)
* Mr. Shasmol-er Shesh Raatri (A Strange Night for Mr Shasmal)
* Pintu'r Dadu (Pintu's Grandfather)
* Chilekotha (The Attic)
* Bhuto
* Ami Bhut (I Am a Ghost)
* Atithi (Stranger)
* First Class Kamra
* Dhappa
* Maanpatro (The Citation)
* Apodartho (Worthless)
* McKenzie Fruit
* Sadhon Babu'r Sandeho (Sadhan Babu's Suspicions)
* Lakhpoti (The Millionaire)
* Needhiram-er Ichchha Puron (A Dream Come True)
* Kanayi-er Kathaa
* Gangaram-er Kapaal
* Nitai O Mahapurush (Nitai and the Holy Man)
* Hauee
* Protikriti
* Norris Shaheb-er Bungalow
* Kutum-Katam
* Ganesh Mutshuddi'r Portrait
* Notun Bondhu
* Shishu Saahityik
* Mohim Sanyal-er Ghatona
* Nitai Babu'r Moina
* Sahojaatri
* Dui Bondhu (The Promise)
* Shilpi 2000
* Akshay Babu'r Shiksha
* Proshonna Sir
* Abhiraam
* Sobuj Manush
* Khagam
Anthologies
* Golpo 101 (One Hundred and One Stories)
* Sera Satyajit (Best of Satyajit)
* Aro Satyajit (More stories by Satyajit)
* Feluda Samagra 1 & 2
* Shanku Samagra
* Prabandha Sangraha
Poetry
Satyajit Ray translated and wrote some
limerick
Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...
s that were published in a collection–''Toray Bandha Ghorar Dim'' (A bunch of Horse-Eggs!). He was also the translator of Lewis Carrol's ''Jabberwocky''. In translation the poem is renamed 'Joborkhaki'.
Mullah Nasiruddin
A collection of very short stories based on
Mullah Nasiruddin (a fictional character from the Middle East known for his witty and comic character) was collected by Satyajit Ray and published as ''Mullah Nasiruddiner Galpo'' (Stories of Mullah Nasiruddin).
Fatik Chand
''Fatik Chand'' is a dramatic mystery about the adventures of a kidnapped
Calcutta
Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, the official name until 2001) is the Capital city, capital of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal, on the eastern ba ...
schoolboy, written in Bengali. The book was made into a film in 1983 entitled ''
Phatik Chand
Satyajit Ray (1921–1992), a Bengali people, Bengali film director from India, is well known for his contributions to Bengali literature. He created two of the most famous characters in Feluda the sleuth, and Professor Shonku the scientist. H ...
''.
Others
''Sujan Harbola'' (Sujan the Mimic) is a collection of fables. ''Ekei Bole Shooting'' is a collection of Satyajit Ray's experiences and reflections during the making of his films. ''Jakhon Choto Chilam'' is a memoir dealing with his childhood days. ''
Our Films, Their Films'' is an anthology of film criticism. ''Bishoy Chalachitro'' is another book by Ray on films.
By Satyajit Ray
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General
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Individual films
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Explanatory notes
References
Bibliography
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External links
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SatyajitRay.orgSatyajit Ray Film and Study Center: University of California - Santa CruzSatyajit Ray society
{{Bibliographies of film directors
Ray, Satyajit
Bengali-language literature
Satyajit Ray