New Delhi: The renowned auteur, Satyajit Ray is hailed as the maverick and greatest filmmaker not just in India but worldwide. His cinema reflected the society of the time and brilliantly highlighted the class crisis and conflict on-screen. Ray, was driven to filmmaking after meeting French director Jean Renoir and watching the famous Italian neo-realist film 'Bicycle Thieves' by Vittoria De Sica. 


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Born in a family of prolific writers and artistes, Ray's parents were Sukumar Ray and Suprabha Ray. Satyajit Ray, before making his mark as a filmmaker, also worked in an advertising agency, publishing house - designing book covers for many. 


In fact, he designed for Jibanananda Das's 'Banalata Sen', and 'Rupasi Bangla', Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's 'Chander Pahar', Jim Corbett's 'Maneaters of Kumaon', and Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Discovery of India'. He also worked on a children's version of 'Pather Panchali', a classic Bengali novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, renamed as Aam Antir Bhepu (The mango-seed whistle).


Ray was so influenced by his work at the publishing house that he used his illustrations as still shots in the first film he helmed.


On his 100th birth anniversary (May 2, 1921) let's take a look at the films he directed: 


1955 Pather Panchali


1956 Aparajito


1958 Parash Pathar, Jalsaghar


1959 Apur Sansar


1960 Devi


1961 Teen Kanya


 • The Postmaster


 • Monihara


 • Samapti


1961 Rabindranath Tagore


1962 Kanchenjungha, Abhijan


1963 Mahanagar


1964 Charulata, Two


1965 Kapurush-O-Mahapurush


 • Kapurush


 • Mahapurush


1966 Nayak


1967 Chiriyakhana


1969 Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne


1970 Aranyer Din Ratri


1970 Pratidwandi


1971 Seemabaddha, Sikkim 


1972 The Inner Eye 


1973 Ashani Sanket


1974 Sonar Kella


1976 Jana Aranya


1976 Bala


1977 Shatranj Ke Khilari


1979 Joi Baba Felunath


1980 Hirak Rajar Deshe, Pikoo


1981 Sadgati


1984 Ghare Baire


1987 Sukumar Ray


1989 Ganashatru


1990 Shakha Proshakha


1991 Agantuk


Satyajit Ray was graced by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with an Honorary Academy Award. He became the first and the only Indian, yet, to receive the honour. He received it 24 days before his death, calling it the "Best achievement of his movie-making career."


Ray breathed his last on April 23, 1992.


Satyajit Ray has left behind a legacy of cinematic brilliance which schools the aspiring movie makers and actors on how to view reality and create magic on the reel.