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Satyajit Ray (1921–1992), a 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 Shanku 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, though it became popular among children and adults alike.
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Most of his novels and stories in Bengali have been published by Ananda Publishers, Kolkata; 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 and published.
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Feluda, whose real name is Pradosh Chandra Mitra, is a fictional Kolkata-based private detective. He is usually accompanied by 2 sidekicks: Topshe (his cousin–Tapesh Ranjan Mitra) and Lalmohan Ganguly, usually described as Lalmohan Babu (who himself writes under the pseudonym of Jatayu), a bumbling writer of crime fiction. Satyajit Ray wrote thirty-five Feluda stories, most of which were extremely popular, and made two of the Feluda stories into films: Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) (1974) and Joi Baba Felunath (The Elephant God) (1978).
| † | Indicates a television film/series | ‡ | Indicates Indicates a film |
| Year | Original title | English title | Form | Published in | Film/Television adaptation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Name | |||||
| 1965–66 | Feludar Goendagiri | Danger in Darjeeling | Short story | Sandesh | ||
| 1966–67 | Badshahi Angti | The Emperor's Ring | Novel | Sandesh | 2014 | Badshahi Angti‡ |
| 1967 | Kailash Choudhary'r Pathar | Kailash Choudhury's Jewel | Short story | Sandesh | ||
| 1970 | Sheyal Debota Rahasya | The Anubis Mystery | Short story | Sandesh | 1996 | Sheyal Debota Rahasya† |
| Gangtokey Gondogol | Trouble in Gangtok | Novel | Desh | |||
| 1971 | Sonar Kella | The Golden Fortress | Novel | Desh | 1974 | Sonar Kella‡ |
| 1972 | Baksho Rahashya | Incident on the Kalka Mail | Novel | Desh | 1996 | Baksho Rahashya†[a] |
| 2001 | Baksho Rahashya‡ | |||||
| 1973 | Kailashey Kelenkari | A Killer in Kailash | Novel | Desh | 2007 | Kailashey Kelenkari‡ |
| Samaddarer Chabi | The Key | Short story | Sandesh | 2016 | Double Feluda‡ | |
| 1974 | Royal Bengal Rahashya | The Royal Bengal Mystery | Novel | Desh | 2011 | Royal Bengal Rahashya‡ |
| 1975 | Ghurghutiyar Ghatona | The Locked Chest | Short story | Sandesh | ||
| Joi Baba Felunath | The Mystery of the Elephant God | Novel | Desh | 1979 | Joi Baba Felunath‡ | |
| 1976 | Bombaiyer Bombete | The Bandits of Bombay | Novel | Desh | 2003 | Bombaiyer Bombete‡ |
| Gosainpur Sargaram | The Mystery of Walking Dead | Novel | Sandesh | 1999 | Gosainpur Sargaram† | |
| 1977 | Gorosthaney Sabdhan | The Secret of the Cemetery | Novel | Desh | 2010 | Gorosthaney Sabdhan‡ |
| 1978 | Chhinnamastar Abhishap | The Curse of the Goddess | Novel | Desh | ||
| 1979 | Hatyapuri | The House of Death | Novel | Sandesh | ||
| 1980 | Golokdham Rahasya | The Mysterious Tenant | Short story | Sandesh | 2016 | Double Feluda‡ |
| Joto Kando Kathmandutey | The Criminals of Kathmandu | Novel | Desh | 1996 | Joto Kando Kathmandutey† | |
| 1981 | Napoleoner Chithi | Napoleon's Letter | Short story | Sandesh | ||
| 1982 | Tintorettor Jishu | Tintoretto's Jesus | Novel | Desh | 2008 | Tintorettor Jishu‡ |
| 1983 | Ambar Sen Antardhan Rahasya | The Disappearance of Ambar Sen | Short story | Anandamela | 2013 | Ambar Sen Antardhan Rahasya† |
| Jahangirer Swarnamudra | The Gold Coins of Jahangir | Short story | Sandesh | |||
| 1984 | Ebar Kando Kedarnathey | Crime in Kedarnath | Short story | Desh | ||
| 1985 | Bosepukurey Khunkharapi | The Acharya Murder Case | Short story | Sandesh | 1996 | Bosepukurey Khunkharapi† |
| 1986 | Darjeeling Jomjomat | Murder in the Mountains | Novel | Sandesh | ||
| 1987 | Apsara Theatrer Mamla | The Case of the Apsara Theatre | Short story | Sandesh | ||
| Bhuswargya Bhayankar | Peril in Paradise | Short story | Desh | |||
| 1988 | Shakuntalar Kontthohar | Shakuntala's Necklace | Short story | Desh | ||
| 1989 | Londoney Feluda | Feluda in London | Short story | Desh | ||
| Golapi Mukta Rahasya | The Mystery of the Pink Pearl | Short story | Sandesh | |||
| 1990 | Dr. Munshir Diary | Dr. Munshi's Diary | Short story | Sandesh | 2000 | Dr. Munshir Diary† |
| Nayan Rahasya | The Mystery of Nayan | Novel | Desh | |||
| 1992 | Robertsoner Ruby | Robertson's Ruby | Novel | Desh | ||
| 1995–96 | Indrajal Rahasya | The Magical Mystery | Short story | Sandesh | ||
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Professor Shanku (Professor Shonku), or Trilokeshwar Shanku, is a fictional scientist appearing in a series of science-fiction books. He lives in Giridih 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 is world-renowned for the armory of these diverse inventions. The adventures of Professor Shanku are set in several countries throughout the world.
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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 (Banku Babu's Friend or Mr. Banku's Friend) was a Bengali science fiction story Ray had written in 1962 for Sandesh, the Ray family magazine, which gained popularity among Bengalis in the early 1960s. What differentiated Bankubabur Bandhu from previous science fiction 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 Ray's own script for The Alien (which was eventually cancelled in the late 1960s), Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982),[7] and Rakesh Roshan's Koi... Mil Gaya (2003), which itself inspired the Indonesian television series Si Yoyo. The story of Bankubabur Bandhu itself was eventually adapted into a television film by Satyajit's son Sandip Ray alongside Kaushik Sen in 2006.[8]
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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 very 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 Brazil-er 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
- Kanchenjungha (film script)
- Nayak (film script)
- Sakhaprosakha (film script)
- My Years with Apu: A Memoir
- Deep Focus
12 Series
- Ek Dojon Gappo
- Aaro Ek Dojon
- Aaro Baro
- Ebaro Baro
- Bah! Baro
- Eker Pithe Dui
- Jabor Baro
Short stories
- ankliya
- Pterodactyl-er Dim
- Bonkubabu'r Bondhu
- Master Ansumaan
- Anko Sir, Golapi Babu O Tipu
- Shibu O Rakkhos-er Katha
- Spot-Light
- Rontur Dadu
- Sujon Harbola
- Taposher Jonaki
- Raton O Lokkhi
- Pikoo'r Diary
- Mayurkonthi Jelly
- Arjosekhor-er Janmo O Mrityu
- Kaagtaruya
- Bahuroopi
- Sahodeb Babu'r Portrait
- Brown Saheb-er Baari
- Sadaanand-er Khude Jagot
- Professor Hiji-bij-bij
- Baatik Babu
- Bhakto
- Bishful
- Load Shedding
- Mr. Shasmol-er Shesh Raatri
- Pintu'r Dadu
- First Class Kamra
- Dhappa
- Maanpatro
- Apodartho
- Sadhon Babu'r Sandeho
- Lakhpoti
- Needhiram-er Ichchha Puron
- Kanayi-er Kathaa
- Gangaram-er kapaal
- Nitai O Mahapurush
- Hauee
- Protikriti
- Norris Shaheb-er Bunglow
- Kutum Katam
- Ganesh Mutshuddi'r Portrait
- Notun Bondhu
- Shishu Saahityik
- Mohim Sanyal-er Ghatona
- Nitai Babu'r Moina
- Sahojaatri
- Duyi Bondhu
- Shilpi
- Akshaye 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
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Satyajit Ray translated and wrote some limericks that were published in a collection–Toray Bandha Ghorar Dim (A bunch of Horse-Eggs!). He was also the translator of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. In translation, the poem is renamed 'Joborkhaki'.
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 is a dramatic mystery about the adventures of a kidnapped Calcutta schoolboy, written in Bengali.[9][10] The book was made into a film in 1983 entitled Phatik Chand.[11]
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
- Ray, Satyajit (1 January 1998). Childhood Days: A Memoir. Penguin Books India. ISBN 978-0-14-025079-4.
- Ray, Satyajit (1 January 2001). The Best Of Satyajit Ray. Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-14-302805-5.
- Ray, Satyajit (2007). Satyajit Ray: Interviews. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-57806-937-8.
- Ray, Satyajit (2013). Satyajit Ray on Cinema. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-16494-8.
General
- Bandyopādhyāẏa, Surabhi (1996). Satyajit Ray: beyond the frame. Allied Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7023-545-3.
- Cooper, Darius (13 January 2000). The Cinema of Satyajit Ray: Between Tradition and Modernity. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-62980-5.
- Ganguly, Keya (2010). Cinema, Emergence, and the Films of Satyajit Ray. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26216-4.
- Ghosh, Nemai; Nandi, Alok B. (1993). Satyajit Ray at 70 as writer, designer, actor, director, cameraman, editor, composer. Point of View and Orient Longman. ISBN 978-0-00-216010-0.
- Gupta, Chidananda Das (1994). The Cinema Of Satyajit Ray. National Book Trust, India. ISBN 978-81-237-0753-2.
- Rangoonwalla, Firoze (1980). Satyajit Ray's art. Clarion.
- Robinson, Andrew (1989). Satyajit Ray: The Inner Eye. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-06946-6.
- Nyce, Ben (1988). Satyajit Ray: a study of his films. Praeger Frederick A. ISBN 978-0-275-92666-3.
- Seton, Marie (2003). Portrait of a Director: Satyajit Ray. Penguin Books India. ISBN 978-0-14-302972-4.
Individual films
- Apu Trilogy
- Chawdhary, Surendar (14 July 2011). The Pather Panchali of Satyajit Ray: An Illustrated Study. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-6353-4.
- Kutty, K. V. Raman; Ray, Satyajit (1982). A Critical Analysis of Satyajit Ray's Film Pather Panchali. Ohio State University.
- Ray, Satyajit (2006). The Apu Trilogy. Seagull Books. ISBN 978-1-905422-06-7.
- Ray, Satyajit (1984). Pather Panchali. Cine Central.
- Robinson, Andrew (15 November 2010). The Apu Trilogy: Satyajit Ray and the Making of an Epic. I. B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84885-515-1.
- Wood, Robin (1971). The Apu trilogy. Praeger.
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