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7 books by Satyajit Ray everyone should read

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Jun 25, 2021, 12:29 IST

1/8

Satyajit Ray

Born on May 2, 1921 in Kolkata, Satyajit Ray was an Oscar-award winning Bengali filmmaker, screenwriter, author, lyricist, graphic designer and calligrapher. Apart from being an incredible filmmaker, Ray also wrote innumerable books for children and even illustrated some of his characters. A prolific personality of his generation, Ray wrote in both English and Bengali. His books have also been translated in English, German, Polish, French, Spanish, Italian and other Indian languages. Remembering Satyajit Ray in his birth centenary year, here we list down some of his best books which have stood the test of time. They have been read and loved by children and adults over the years.

(Photo: Penguin; Orient BlackSwan)

2/8

The Complete Adventures of Feluda

Feluda is one of Ray's favourite detective characters. 'The Complete Adventures' is a book of intriguing and engrossing suspense stories written by Ray. It follows detective Feluda as he solves complex crime cases while being accompanied by his cousin Topshe and crime writer Jatayu. Ray's gripping narration takes the readers in a world full of mysteries while Feluda solves the crime cases with his skill and intelligence. This book will surely take you back to your childhood.
(Photo: Penguin)

3/8

The Incredible Adventures of Professor Shonku

This collection of short stories follows a fictitious scientist, Professor Shonku from Ray's science fiction series in Bengali, on his many adventures that take him across countries to real and imaginary new places. Translated from Bengali to English by Surabhi Banerjee, Shoku's stories are a favourite among children.
(Photo: Penguin India)

4/8

My Years with Apu: A Memoir

Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy movies, namely 'Pather Panchali' (1955), 'Aparajito' (1956) and 'Apur Sansar' ('The World of Apu', 1959), tell the story of boyhood, adolescence and manhood of Apu. In this memoir, Ray describes his experience and thoughts during the making of the acclaimed Apu Trilogy movies. The memoir was First published posthumously in 1994. The book tells the inspiring story of how one of the greatest filmmakers of our time started his film-making career and should be read by every cinephile.
(Photo: Penguin)

5/8

Childhood Days

Ray originally wrote his memoir 'Childhood Days' in Bengali, and later it was translated to English by his wife Bijoya Ray. In this book, Ray talks about his passion for cinema, art, music, photography, and books which made him one of the most prolific personalities of his time. The stories in this memoir start from the author's early days and continue until when he began making films. Through 'Childhood Days' readers get a glimpse of the man that Satyajit Ray was.
(Photo: Penguin)

6/8

Indigo

This collection of spine-tingling short stories is liked by both young and old. Indigo is the mood in this book as Ray tells the stories of the supernatural, the peculiar and the inexplicable with an unexpected twist at the end. The book is translated from Bengali by Ray and Gopa Majumdar.
(Photo: Penguin India)

7/8

Our Films, Their Films

'Our Films, Their Films' as the title suggests brings together Satyajit Ray’s writings and talks on filmmakers. The book is divided into two sections-- Our Films is where Ray shares his own experiences, interesting anecdotes, and his observations on the trends in Indian cinema. Their Films talks about some films abroad which became landmarks in the history of cinema. The book gives an insight into film appreciation and should be read by aspiring filmmakers.
(Photo: Orient BlackSwan)

8/8

Twenty Stories

This collection of short stories by Ray is translated by Gopa Majumdar. From magicians to giant man-eating plants, to hypochondriacs and a host of other entertaining characters, these stories will transfix the readers with his vivid imagination.
(Photo: Penguin)

Top Comment

Rupraj

2549 days ago

He is one of the epitomes of Bengal stalwarts. He was a writer, director, music director, artist all rolled into one. In simple language he still is reckoned a genius. It is very rare to find a semblance of his acumen in anyone nowadays. His classic is Professor Shanku. It is sad that nobody could make a cinema of Prof. Shanku. Let’s hope one day one might see a film on Prof. Shanku and his incredible adventures as so beautifully brought out by Satyajit Ray much like Hollywood film “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and “ Journey to the Mysterious Island”.

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