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3 Rays
'3 Rays is like exploring the Mother Earth, and finding the rare treasures'-Gulzar, poet, lyricist and film-maker
'Satyajit Ray's work is like a beautiful scene from nature, and that's the reason we get lost in his beautiful art' -Shoojit Sircar, film-maker
'Ray's magic, the simple poetry of his images and their emotional impact, will always stay with me'-Martin Scorsese, film director, producer, screenwriter and actor
'Satyajit Ray's artifice and honesty set him apart from other film directors'-The Guardian
'Satyajit Ray's world of restless watchfulness and nuance'-The New York Times
'The quiet but deep observation ... have impressed me greatly'-Akira Kurosawa, film-maker
The most anticipated book on the centenary birth anniversary of Satyajit Ray
An amazingly brilliant collection of Satyajit Ray's previously unpublished autobiographical writings, illustrations, fictions and non-fictions
A collector's item, 3 Rays is a source of delight for every reader
'Satyajit Ray's work is like a beautiful scene from nature, and that's the reason we get lost in his beautiful art' -Shoojit Sircar, film-maker
'Ray's magic, the simple poetry of his images and their emotional impact, will always stay with me'-Martin Scorsese, film director, producer, screenwriter and actor
'Satyajit Ray's artifice and honesty set him apart from other film directors'-The Guardian
'Satyajit Ray's world of restless watchfulness and nuance'-The New York Times
'The quiet but deep observation ... have impressed me greatly'-Akira Kurosawa, film-maker
The most anticipated book on the centenary birth anniversary of Satyajit Ray
An amazingly brilliant collection of Satyajit Ray's previously unpublished autobiographical writings, illustrations, fictions and non-fictions
A collector's item, 3 Rays is a source of delight for every reader
478 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2021
21 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Satyajit Ray
656 books1,510 followersSatyajit Ray (Bengali: সত্যজিৎ রায়) was an Indian filmmaker and author of Bengali fiction and regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of world cinema. Ray was born in the city of Calcutta into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature. Starting his career as a commercial artist, Ray was drawn into independent filmmaking after meeting French filmmaker Jean Renoir and watching Vittorio De Sica's Italian neorealist 1948 film, Bicycle Thieves.
Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries and shorts. He was also a fiction writer, publisher, illustrator, calligrapher, graphic designer and film critic. He authored several short stories and novels, primarily aimed at children and adolescents.
Ray's first film, Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival. This film, Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959) form The Apu Trilogy. Ray did the scripting, casting, scoring, and editing, and designed his own credit titles and publicity material. Ray received many major awards in his career, including 32 Indian National Film Awards, a number of awards at international film festivals and award ceremonies, and an Academy Award in 1992. The Government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna in 1992.
Early Life and Background:
Ray's grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury was a writer, illustrator, philosopher, publisher, amateur astronomer and a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social movement in nineteenth century Bengal. Sukumar Ray, Upendrakishore's son and father of Satyajit, was a pioneering Bengali author and poet of nonsense rhyme and children's literature, an illustrator and a critic. Ray was born to Sukumar and Suprabha Ray in Calcutta.
Ray completed his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta, though his interest was always in Fine Arts. In 1940, he went to study in Santiniketan where Ray came to appreciate Oriental Art. In 1949, Ray married Bijoya Das and the couple had a son, Sandip ray, who is now a famous film director.
Literary Works:
Ray created two of the most famous fictional characters ever in Bengali children's literature—Feluda, a sleuth in Holmesian tradition, and Professor Shonku, a genius scientist. Ray also wrote many short stories mostly centered on Macabre, Thriller and Paranormal which were published as collections of 12 stories. Ray wrote an autobiography about his childhood years, Jakhan Choto Chilam (1982). He also wrote essays on film, published as the collections: Our Films, Their Films (1976), Bishoy Chalachchitra (1976), and Ekei Bole Shooting (1979).
Awards, Honors and Recognitions:
Ray received many awards, including 32 National Film Awards by the Government of India. At the Moscow Film Festival in 1979, he was awarded for the contribution to cinema. At the Berlin Film Festival, he was one of only three to win the Silver Bear for Best Director more than once and holds the record for the most Golden Bear nominations, with seven. At the Venice Film Festival, he won a Golden Lion for Aparajito(1956), and awarded the Golden Lion Honorary Award in 1982. In 1992 he was posthumously awarded the Akira Kurosawa Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries and shorts. He was also a fiction writer, publisher, illustrator, calligrapher, graphic designer and film critic. He authored several short stories and novels, primarily aimed at children and adolescents.
Ray's first film, Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival. This film, Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959) form The Apu Trilogy. Ray did the scripting, casting, scoring, and editing, and designed his own credit titles and publicity material. Ray received many major awards in his career, including 32 Indian National Film Awards, a number of awards at international film festivals and award ceremonies, and an Academy Award in 1992. The Government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna in 1992.
Early Life and Background:
Ray's grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury was a writer, illustrator, philosopher, publisher, amateur astronomer and a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social movement in nineteenth century Bengal. Sukumar Ray, Upendrakishore's son and father of Satyajit, was a pioneering Bengali author and poet of nonsense rhyme and children's literature, an illustrator and a critic. Ray was born to Sukumar and Suprabha Ray in Calcutta.
Ray completed his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta, though his interest was always in Fine Arts. In 1940, he went to study in Santiniketan where Ray came to appreciate Oriental Art. In 1949, Ray married Bijoya Das and the couple had a son, Sandip ray, who is now a famous film director.
Literary Works:
Ray created two of the most famous fictional characters ever in Bengali children's literature—Feluda, a sleuth in Holmesian tradition, and Professor Shonku, a genius scientist. Ray also wrote many short stories mostly centered on Macabre, Thriller and Paranormal which were published as collections of 12 stories. Ray wrote an autobiography about his childhood years, Jakhan Choto Chilam (1982). He also wrote essays on film, published as the collections: Our Films, Their Films (1976), Bishoy Chalachchitra (1976), and Ekei Bole Shooting (1979).
Awards, Honors and Recognitions:
Ray received many awards, including 32 National Film Awards by the Government of India. At the Moscow Film Festival in 1979, he was awarded for the contribution to cinema. At the Berlin Film Festival, he was one of only three to win the Silver Bear for Best Director more than once and holds the record for the most Golden Bear nominations, with seven. At the Venice Film Festival, he won a Golden Lion for Aparajito(1956), and awarded the Golden Lion Honorary Award in 1982. In 1992 he was posthumously awarded the Akira Kurosawa Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 2, 2024
Best Read of the Year!!!
Being from western India, I had heard little about the stories written by Satyajit Ray. After reading his "Adventures of Feluda," I deeply regret the gap in my childhood reading. If translations of Ray's work had been available to me, his stories would have undoubtedly become my favorites.
Growing up, the only works I associated with Satyajit Ray were his films "Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne" and "Bonkubabu's Friend," both of which I watched as a child and which left a lasting impression on me. Later, I heard about another movie, "Pather Panchali" (which I still haven't seen). I always thought of him as a creator of Bengali films.
That changed one day when I stumbled upon "Adventures of Feluda." Since then, I have come to know him as an author. After reading just the first part of the compilation, I became a huge fan of his writing. With each new story, he continues to surprise and captivate me.
Beyond his storytelling prowess, this book revealed another of his talents: illustration. The book is filled with delightful illustrations by all three Rays of his family.
This book is a treasure trove of adventures and life lessons. I enjoyed every story and was introduced to Professor Shonku, sparking my desire to find and read all the books about him.
This book has something for every reader. Even if you've outgrown your childhood, it will entertain you to the fullest.
Being from western India, I had heard little about the stories written by Satyajit Ray. After reading his "Adventures of Feluda," I deeply regret the gap in my childhood reading. If translations of Ray's work had been available to me, his stories would have undoubtedly become my favorites.
Growing up, the only works I associated with Satyajit Ray were his films "Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne" and "Bonkubabu's Friend," both of which I watched as a child and which left a lasting impression on me. Later, I heard about another movie, "Pather Panchali" (which I still haven't seen). I always thought of him as a creator of Bengali films.
That changed one day when I stumbled upon "Adventures of Feluda." Since then, I have come to know him as an author. After reading just the first part of the compilation, I became a huge fan of his writing. With each new story, he continues to surprise and captivate me.
Beyond his storytelling prowess, this book revealed another of his talents: illustration. The book is filled with delightful illustrations by all three Rays of his family.
This book is a treasure trove of adventures and life lessons. I enjoyed every story and was introduced to Professor Shonku, sparking my desire to find and read all the books about him.
This book has something for every reader. Even if you've outgrown your childhood, it will entertain you to the fullest.
November 19, 2021
3 Rays - Stories from Satyajit Ray
Rating 5/5
My little salutation bowing down to the great soil of Bengal for having produced such a genius personality or rather family!
o moth'r earth of Bengal
i boweth down to thee in respect
in awe of the most wondrous gene and lineage thee has't did produce!
What can I say about Satyajit Ray, Sukumar Ray or UpendraKishore Ray and what can I say about the book! I am totally awestruck. Every piece of writing, illustration, story evokes such a nostalgia, I can only bow down to the great land of Bengal which has produced such fine artists, craftsman, scientists, philosophers and lets not forget freedom fighters.
The book comprises of illustrations by Sukumar Ray and Satyajit Ray which have adorned the covers of the magazine Sandesh over the years. The book also contains stories by Satyajit Ray and few by Sukumar Ray and a little less by Upendra Kishore Ray.
Few stories comprise of the adventures of Professor Shonku. My favorite story plus illustration has got to be Goupi Gyne, Kalu Kyne aur Baagha Byne. Brilliant. As much as it sounds not for adults, the book aptly tells us that the stories written for children can be truly appreciated by the adult minds. So true. Makes me want to read Professor Shonku adventures!
Satyajit Ray is a master story teller, he writes with great great clarity and creates fascinating characters and plots which are simple yet very intriguing. So much with so little, I guess only a master craftsman like Ray can do it. Unicorn expedition takes us to Tibet via Uttarakhand. Sahara mystery takes us to Iraq. The illustrations of Ray and fabulous. Worth buying the book.
Cheers,
Rating 5/5
My little salutation bowing down to the great soil of Bengal for having produced such a genius personality or rather family!
o moth'r earth of Bengal
i boweth down to thee in respect
in awe of the most wondrous gene and lineage thee has't did produce!
What can I say about Satyajit Ray, Sukumar Ray or UpendraKishore Ray and what can I say about the book! I am totally awestruck. Every piece of writing, illustration, story evokes such a nostalgia, I can only bow down to the great land of Bengal which has produced such fine artists, craftsman, scientists, philosophers and lets not forget freedom fighters.
The book comprises of illustrations by Sukumar Ray and Satyajit Ray which have adorned the covers of the magazine Sandesh over the years. The book also contains stories by Satyajit Ray and few by Sukumar Ray and a little less by Upendra Kishore Ray.
Few stories comprise of the adventures of Professor Shonku. My favorite story plus illustration has got to be Goupi Gyne, Kalu Kyne aur Baagha Byne. Brilliant. As much as it sounds not for adults, the book aptly tells us that the stories written for children can be truly appreciated by the adult minds. So true. Makes me want to read Professor Shonku adventures!
Satyajit Ray is a master story teller, he writes with great great clarity and creates fascinating characters and plots which are simple yet very intriguing. So much with so little, I guess only a master craftsman like Ray can do it. Unicorn expedition takes us to Tibet via Uttarakhand. Sahara mystery takes us to Iraq. The illustrations of Ray and fabulous. Worth buying the book.
Cheers,
August 1, 2021
As you grow older, seemingly you try to grab hold of the time left behind even more. For me, books had always been a huge part of growing up - they have defined me, they continue to define me to this day! Even when I take up my amateurish attempts at penning a story - flash fiction or novella, I am deeply inspired by the pieces I had read and the authors who wrote them.
Growing up a proud Bengali, I started off by reading 'Abol Tabol' on my mother's knees and reciting the nonsensical poems contained therein while roaming around the house - both irritating and amusing my parents. 'Thakumar Jhuli' - the folktales of Bengal were another constant companion those days - tales of fantastical creatures, princes and princesses and just plain fun and joy!
Getting a bit older, one of the first movies I remember seeing was 'Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen'. Then came 'Sonar Kella' followed by 'Gupi Bagha Fire Elo' and 'Joy Baba Felunath'.
I have goosebumps even today just thinking about the movies, the characters therein, the plotlines, the fun and carefree frolic those days represent!
And 'Feluda' - how can I forget 'Feluda'? Or 'Topse' or 'Jatayu' or 'Professor Shanku'?
Characters which I have tried to emulate or aspired to be - sometimes in secret and sometimes a whole lot more openly for decades.
'3 Rays' is the chronicle of the 3 stalwarts of the Ray family who have defined Bengali literature and culture over the past century like few others have. Upendrakishore, Sukumar and Satyajit Ray were part of my growing up and are a huge influence even today.
The effort by Sandip Ray and team to chronicle the journey and compile the writings by his father, original English prose, translations of his stories, plotlines and brief history of the family provides a masterpiece which is a bible for starved Bengalis like us who hold on to them and the memories they represent. It's deeply personal for me. It's deeply personal for millions like me. It's a book which I will revisit every chance I get.
Read more of my reviews at uprootedbong.com/blog
Growing up a proud Bengali, I started off by reading 'Abol Tabol' on my mother's knees and reciting the nonsensical poems contained therein while roaming around the house - both irritating and amusing my parents. 'Thakumar Jhuli' - the folktales of Bengal were another constant companion those days - tales of fantastical creatures, princes and princesses and just plain fun and joy!
Getting a bit older, one of the first movies I remember seeing was 'Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen'. Then came 'Sonar Kella' followed by 'Gupi Bagha Fire Elo' and 'Joy Baba Felunath'.
I have goosebumps even today just thinking about the movies, the characters therein, the plotlines, the fun and carefree frolic those days represent!
And 'Feluda' - how can I forget 'Feluda'? Or 'Topse' or 'Jatayu' or 'Professor Shanku'?
Characters which I have tried to emulate or aspired to be - sometimes in secret and sometimes a whole lot more openly for decades.
'3 Rays' is the chronicle of the 3 stalwarts of the Ray family who have defined Bengali literature and culture over the past century like few others have. Upendrakishore, Sukumar and Satyajit Ray were part of my growing up and are a huge influence even today.
The effort by Sandip Ray and team to chronicle the journey and compile the writings by his father, original English prose, translations of his stories, plotlines and brief history of the family provides a masterpiece which is a bible for starved Bengalis like us who hold on to them and the memories they represent. It's deeply personal for me. It's deeply personal for millions like me. It's a book which I will revisit every chance I get.
Read more of my reviews at uprootedbong.com/blog
September 18, 2023
'3 Rays' is a chronicle of the three stalwarts of the Ray family who have defined Bengali literature and culture over generations.
This book also makes for a great nostalgic trip back to afternoons, that were spent reading the originals.
Abol Tabol, Majantali Sarkar, Professor Shanku and the ever favourite Sandesh stories — all mark their presence in this book.
For me, books have always been a part of growing up and it still is. The best part was glossing over the original illustrations by all the 3 Rays, old Sandesh magazine edition overs, sketches from Ray’s storyboard for Goopy Gyne, Bagha Byne — absolutely amazing! A book worth revisiting and definitely worth a collector's edition.
This book also makes for a great nostalgic trip back to afternoons, that were spent reading the originals.
Abol Tabol, Majantali Sarkar, Professor Shanku and the ever favourite Sandesh stories — all mark their presence in this book.
For me, books have always been a part of growing up and it still is. The best part was glossing over the original illustrations by all the 3 Rays, old Sandesh magazine edition overs, sketches from Ray’s storyboard for Goopy Gyne, Bagha Byne — absolutely amazing! A book worth revisiting and definitely worth a collector's edition.
Read
September 4, 2021A treasury of Satyajit Ray's and his family's works.
Ray fans and newbies will both find enough to dig into. Nonsense verse, fairy tales, memoirs, short stories of all genres, unpublished material - all in one well-produced volume that makes for an excellent gift.
Ray fans and newbies will both find enough to dig into. Nonsense verse, fairy tales, memoirs, short stories of all genres, unpublished material - all in one well-produced volume that makes for an excellent gift.
July 9, 2025
Absolute gem of a book. Chefs kiss.
May 25, 2021
The book covers the works of three generations of the Ray family. Starting from Upendrakishore to Sukumar and finally Satyajit.
The works translated by Satyajit Ray himself give a brilliant insight into the literary brilliance of the Ray family.
The highlight of the book are the two original stories written by Ray in English. The stories (in their original language) have never been released before in a book.
The perfect addition to your library on Ray's 100th year birth anniversary.
The works translated by Satyajit Ray himself give a brilliant insight into the literary brilliance of the Ray family.
The highlight of the book are the two original stories written by Ray in English. The stories (in their original language) have never been released before in a book.
The perfect addition to your library on Ray's 100th year birth anniversary.
June 12, 2021
A prized collector’s item for Ray-philles. Nostalgic trip down memory lane.
August 22, 2021
For those who can’t read in Bengali, this book is a masterpiece which throws light on the literary legacy of one family over 3 generations seen through the eyes of Satyajit Ray with sketches, translations and illustrations of his fathers and grandfathers body of literary work along with some of his own iconic creations.
May 29, 2024
Wow! Just wow!
3 Rays is a gem of a collection of writings from the three Rays - Upendrakishore Ray, Sukumar Ray, and Satyajit Ray. Satyajit Ray has translated all of the works included in this huge volume. The writings include some folk tales from Upendrakishore Ray, a few nonsense rhymes and stories from Sukumar Ray, and stories and scripts, both published and unpublished, from Satyajit Ray. It also includes magnificent illustrations these three creative geniuses created as part of their writings. It fascinates us how Satyajit Ray, his father Sukumar, and grandfather Upendrakishore contributed to developing Bengali literature through their children's weekly Sandesh and family heirloom U. Ray & Sons printing press.
The collection offers a rich variety of works, spanning different genres and themes. From the film treatment of Upendrakishore Ray's Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, to the nonsensical rhymes of Abol Tabol by Sukumar Ray, to the adventures of Professor Shonku by Satyajit Ray, including Professor Shonku and Khoka - Draft Script, Magic Box of Baghdad, The Sahara Mystery, Corvus, The Unicorn Expedition, Tellus, and two original stories in English by Satyajit Ray. It also features some of Satyajit Ray's most celebrated stories, adding to the charm of this literary treasure.
Ray's literary world is becoming increasingly appealing to me. I don't think I want to leave this magical world!
3 Rays is a gem of a collection of writings from the three Rays - Upendrakishore Ray, Sukumar Ray, and Satyajit Ray. Satyajit Ray has translated all of the works included in this huge volume. The writings include some folk tales from Upendrakishore Ray, a few nonsense rhymes and stories from Sukumar Ray, and stories and scripts, both published and unpublished, from Satyajit Ray. It also includes magnificent illustrations these three creative geniuses created as part of their writings. It fascinates us how Satyajit Ray, his father Sukumar, and grandfather Upendrakishore contributed to developing Bengali literature through their children's weekly Sandesh and family heirloom U. Ray & Sons printing press.
The collection offers a rich variety of works, spanning different genres and themes. From the film treatment of Upendrakishore Ray's Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, to the nonsensical rhymes of Abol Tabol by Sukumar Ray, to the adventures of Professor Shonku by Satyajit Ray, including Professor Shonku and Khoka - Draft Script, Magic Box of Baghdad, The Sahara Mystery, Corvus, The Unicorn Expedition, Tellus, and two original stories in English by Satyajit Ray. It also features some of Satyajit Ray's most celebrated stories, adding to the charm of this literary treasure.
Ray's literary world is becoming increasingly appealing to me. I don't think I want to leave this magical world!
June 6, 2021
It's a treasure trove. A must read for those, who love Ray's writings. With previously unpublished writings and illustrations of Ray, the complete book is translated from Bengali by Satyajit Ray himself. It's a collector's edition.
June 19, 2021
This collection with 3 generations of Rays works. Sketches, illustrations, and pictures of stories including translations of works is a treasure house for the readers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews