Kolkata: If you are a Ray fan, then don’t you miss to drop in at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity.  This multidisciplinary art space is organizing The Satyajit Ray Centenary Show (Volume I) in collaboration with Gallery Rasa. The exhibition will commemorate 100 years of Ray showcasing lesser-known aspects of the iconic filmmaker’s work like his lobby cards, synopses, posters and book cover designs, while divulging the creative process behind his meticulous designing; along with costumes and props used in the films and rare photographs by veteran Nemai Ghosh. The exhibition is on till March 14, 2022 from 11 am to 6 pm. 
Hailing from a family rich in arts and culture, Ray’s knack towards painting and art was something that came naturally and flawlessly. His grandfather was an acclaimed self-taught painter and illustrator of considerable skill and repute and so was his father Sukumar Ray, artist –illustrator whose rhymes and poems are still recollected and taught. Ray, almost instinctively picked up the interest for drawing and produced some great works during his time which remain untarnished even today. Trained for three years as a student of Kalabhavan in Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose, he never became a painter but his works are still considered as rare and unique.

During 1943, which was the year of the great Bengal famine, Ray joined the advertising industry and became involved in book designing and typography for an enterprising new publishing house. The advertising world, later on, led him to the world of filmmaking where he spent his precious 35 years. As a renowned and prolific filmmaker, he was also indulged in editing children’s magazines, writing and illustrating stories for children while making films simultaneously. He gave vent to his graphic propensities by doing sketches for his shooting scripts, designing sets and costumes, and even designing posters for his own films which shows how multifaceted he was.

“It is a matter of both pleasure and privilege for Kolkata Centre for Creativity to be organizing a centenary show for Satyajit Ray an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, author, essayist, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher, and music composer. It has been an enormous task to even try to encompass the range of his sheer genius and we intend to showcase as many aspects of his work and personality as possible within the ambit of two exhibitions (Volumes I and II).” says Richa Agarwal, Chairperson, Kolkata Centre for Creativity.

Ray always considered himself primarily as a filmmaker and secondarily as a writer and illustrator. He never wanted people to make ‘large claims’ for his other works. Although Ray insisted on not making “large claims”, his ‘other’ works are all a testament to his genius. Every work makes the viewer engage in deep contemplation. Through the exhibition the viewers will get to experience the artistic genius of Ray as they stand before his mammoth body of work. The artistic flair and flourish are palpable in the designs. Nemai Ghosh’s photographs further enhance the experience where Ray’s intense gaze and innocent laughter resonate in the exhibition space. The original costumes and props will also add an air of authenticity. Every element present in this space will reverberate with nostalgia, adding to the ever-growing fabric of memories of the viewers.

“Gallery Rasa is delighted to pay homage to iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray on his centenary year. In collaboration with Kolkata Center for Creativity, visitors to this exhibition will be able to immerse themselves in Ray’s world through our collection of film memorabilia, costumes, archival materials and photographs of Ray through the lens of ace photographer Nemai Ghosh”, says Rakesh Sahni, Director, Gallery Rasa.