I read Pather Panchali some years back, and I have been in awe of Satyajit Ray's writing ever since. The boy who played with light is the story of Satyajit Ray's childhood days and of how he became a world famous film maker. Every Bengali has two names - one “good” name or bhalo naam and another an absurd, pet name or “daak naam” by which their family and friends call them. Ray's daak naam is Manik and through this delightfully illustrated book we follow his story, his love for the shapes of light and shadows. The illustrations bring out Satyajit Ray's and his father, Sukumar Ray's art style that is a sequence of light and dark sketches.
When he was a child, Manik revered his Baba, he'd watch him scribble in his notebook, bring alive drawings. He loved watching and observing, the way light fell on the printing press in his Baba's factory, and the shadow that was always lurking around. After his father died, Manik found himself looking for light, but the were shadows never left him. He made his truce with them, and slowly he started finding stories. His stories and films retain the influence of light and shadows that was prominent in his childhood.
"It is the half shades, the hardly audible notes that I want to capture and explore"
- Satyajit Ray
The fictionalized account captures Satyajit Ray's early years as a young boy fascinated by the light emanating from his father's printing press. He used to carefully observe his father, Sukumar Ray, working his way through his drawings. Until one unfateful day, he was forced to move houses when his father passed away.Manik as he was affectionately called spent his childhood alone, with his imagination for company.
The narration is poignant and touching. The pictures beautifully depict important factual events of Ray's life such as the discovery of a pinhole camera in a closed room.
Lavanya does a great job of incorporating different styles of art to pay a fitting tribute to the great visionaries that paved the way for a bright future in various fields of study.
The Boy Who Played With Light - Satyajit Ray Depicting Ray s childhood as son of the illustrious Sukumar Ray but early lose of father - this book sketches how he made his friends with light and shadow. An idea that would later translate into master piece movies that have won worldwide fame. Drawn in shades of blue and purple, I give kudos to @_lavanyakarthik_ for bringing together an entire cast of Ray s created characters in the pages of this book and inspirationally teach children bits about how Satyajit Ray became who he is ! Personally my favourite one in this entire series. Again, a highly recommended series of books. Most unique way to teach children about these personalities from different fields and most certainly these are collectible pieces!
This book is about Satyajit Ray when he was young, what influenced him, a good narrative about telling the story of famed personality. The series "Dreamers" is a motivating series.