Satyajit Ray - The Cinematic Genius
If I were asked to identify a person in recent times, who combines masterful creativity with touching sensitivity, without boring the audience in the process, I would stand up and shout only one name - Satyajit Ray! Satyajit Ray is a world-famous Indian director, who has made locally and universally acclaimed masterpieces of films like Pather Panchali, Apur Sansar, Charulata, Jalashaghar, Kanchenjunga, and many many others.
Most of his films were in Bengali and many were based on works by classic and contemporary authors.
What made Ray's style unique was his mastery and command over most aspects of his films.
Not only would he direct a film, but also write it's screenplay, handle the camera, control the lighting, create the music and even do the film's editing! But far more importantly, the detached wit, and sensitivity without sentimentality that he brought to every scene of his films, not only touched the audience's heart, but also transported them to a higher dimension of realization.
Recently I have been watching a lot of Ray's films on YouTube; it is like watching poetry in motion.
Beautiful, touching, flowing, making me think, making me laugh, and never failing to making me cry! If you watch Satyajit Ray's interviews, it is apparent that he was a formidable personality - perfect commanding voice, full of conviction and utterly serious! His analysis of situations, and recounting of past was accurate and matter-of-fact.
Hence his movies surprise you, because his understanding of people, and his sensitivity towards the vulnerable, the old, children, downtrodden, is not expected.
His humor too.
Gopi Baayen Baagha Baayein, was a movie I loved when I watched it as a 14 year old.
It was funny, crazy, and the characters were enchanting.
Ray loved to write for children, and was the author of several books.
His Feluda series books were detective novels written for the younger readers.
He has been hailed as one of the greatest directors of the 2nd half of our 20th century by reputed associations like the British Federation of Film Societies and the Moscow Film Festival committee.
In 1992, he was awarded with the Oscar for Lifetime achievement in cinema, just 2 months before he passed away.
This giant of a man has left us with glimpses of greatness, and you must try to watch some of his movies.
It is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your lives.
Most of his films were in Bengali and many were based on works by classic and contemporary authors.
What made Ray's style unique was his mastery and command over most aspects of his films.
Not only would he direct a film, but also write it's screenplay, handle the camera, control the lighting, create the music and even do the film's editing! But far more importantly, the detached wit, and sensitivity without sentimentality that he brought to every scene of his films, not only touched the audience's heart, but also transported them to a higher dimension of realization.
Recently I have been watching a lot of Ray's films on YouTube; it is like watching poetry in motion.
Beautiful, touching, flowing, making me think, making me laugh, and never failing to making me cry! If you watch Satyajit Ray's interviews, it is apparent that he was a formidable personality - perfect commanding voice, full of conviction and utterly serious! His analysis of situations, and recounting of past was accurate and matter-of-fact.
Hence his movies surprise you, because his understanding of people, and his sensitivity towards the vulnerable, the old, children, downtrodden, is not expected.
His humor too.
Gopi Baayen Baagha Baayein, was a movie I loved when I watched it as a 14 year old.
It was funny, crazy, and the characters were enchanting.
Ray loved to write for children, and was the author of several books.
His Feluda series books were detective novels written for the younger readers.
He has been hailed as one of the greatest directors of the 2nd half of our 20th century by reputed associations like the British Federation of Film Societies and the Moscow Film Festival committee.
In 1992, he was awarded with the Oscar for Lifetime achievement in cinema, just 2 months before he passed away.
This giant of a man has left us with glimpses of greatness, and you must try to watch some of his movies.
It is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your lives.