Literary works of Satyajit Ray

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Ray during recording of his film Pather Panchali

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 Shonku 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 (mostly teenagers) , though it became popular among children and adults alike.

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.

Feluda stories[edit]

Feluda, whose real name is Pradosh Chandra Mitter, 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 with 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 into films two of the Feluda stories–Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) (1974) and Joi Baba Felunath (The Elephant God) (1978).

Key
dagger Indicates a television film/series double-dagger Indicates Indicates a film
List of Feluda stories/novels written by Satyajit Ray[1][2][3][4]
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 Angtidouble-dagger
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 Rahasyadagger
Gangtokey Gondogol Trouble in Gangtok Novel Desh
1971 Sonar Kella The Golden Fortress Novel Desh 1974 Sonar Kelladouble-dagger
1972 Baksho Rahashya Incident on the Kalka Mail Novel Desh 1996 Baksho Rahashyadagger[lower-alpha 1]
2001 Baksho Rahashyadouble-dagger
1973 Kailashey Kelenkari A Killer in Kailash Novel Desh 2007 Kailashey Kelenkaridouble-dagger
Samaddarer Chabi The Key Short story Sandesh 2016 Double Feludadouble-dagger
1974 Royal Bengal Rahashya The Royal Bengal Mystery Novel Desh 2011 Royal Bengal Rahashyadouble-dagger
1975 Ghurghutiyar Ghatona The Locked Chest Short story Sandesh
Joi Baba Felunath The Mystery of the Elephant God Novel Desh 1979 Joi Baba Felunathdouble-dagger
1976 Bombaiyer Bombete The Bandits of Bombay Novel Desh 2003 Bombaiyer Bombetedouble-dagger
Gosainpur Sargaram The Mystery of Walking Dead Novel Sandesh 1999 Gosainpur Sargaramdagger
1977 Gorosthaney Sabdhan The Secret of the Cemetery Novel Desh 2010 Gorosthaney Sabdhandouble-dagger
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 Feludadouble-dagger
Joto Kando Kathmandutey The Criminals of Kathmandu Novel Desh 1996 Joto Kando Kathmanduteydagger
1981 Napoleoner Chithi Napoleon's Letter Short story Sandesh
1982 Tintorettor Jishu Tintoretto's Jesus Novel Desh 2008 Tintorettor Jishudouble-dagger
1983 Ambar Sen Antardhan Rahasya The Disappearance of Ambar Sen Short story Anandamela 2013 Ambar Sen Antardhan Rahasyadagger
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 Khunkharapidagger
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 Diarydagger
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

Professor Shanku stories[edit]

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 has many scientist allies, like Jeremy Saunders, Wilhelm Kroll, and John Summerville. He also has a neighbor, Abinash Majumdar, who makes fun of his inventions, but nevertheless they are good friends. He is world-renowned for the armory of these diverse inventions. The adventures of Professor Shanku are set in several countries throughout the world.

  • Professor Shonku New Script, Calcutta 1965.
  • Professor Shonkur Kandokarkhana (Professor Shonku's Deeds). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1970.
  • Shabash Professor Shonku (Bravo Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1974.
  • Mahasankatey Shonku (Shonku in Deep Peril). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1977.
  • Swayang Professor Shonku (None other than Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1980.
  • Shonku Ekai Aksho (Shonku, All in All). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1983.
  • Punashcha Professor Shonku (Shonku once again). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1993.
  • Selam Professor Shonku (Hats off, Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta, 1995.
  • Shonku Samagra (Complete Shonku collection) Ananda Publishers, Kolkata January 2002, ISBN 81-7756-232-0

Tarini khuro stories[edit]

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[edit]

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 Rakesh Roshan's Koi... Mil Gaya,[7] which itself inspired the Indonesian television series Si Yoyo.[8] Ray believed that Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was also inspired by the story,[9] though Spielberg has said that it was not.[10] The story of Bankubabur Bandhu itself was eventually adapted into a television film by Satyajit's son Sandip Ray alongside Kaushik Sen in 2006.[11]

Other short stories[edit]

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 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 Braziler Kalo Bagh was published. He also translated Ray Bradbury's 'Third Expedition' from Martian Chronicles as 'Mongol-i Shorgo'(Mars is Heaven).

Other books[edit]

12 Series[edit]

  • Ek Dozon Gappo
  • Aaro Ek Dozon
  • Aaro Baro
  • Ebaro Baro
  • Bah! Baro
  • Eker Pithe Dui
  • Jobor Baro

Short stories[edit]

  • Pterodactyl-er Dim (The Pterodacyl's Egg)
  • Bonkubabu'r Bondhu (Bonku Babus Friend)
  • Master Ansumaan
  • Anko Sir, Golapi Babu O Tipu
  • Fritz
  • Shibu O Rakkhos-er Katha (The Tale of Shibu and the Monster)
  • Spot-Light
  • Rontu'r Dadu (Rontu's Grandfather)
  • Sujon Harbola
  • Raton O Lokkhi
  • Pikoo'r Diary (Pikoo's Diary)
  • Mayurkonthi Jelly
  • Arjosekhor-er Janmo O Mrityu
  • Kaagtaruya (The Scarecrow)
  • Bahuroopi
  • Sahodeb Babu'r Portrait (Sahodeb Babu's Portrait)
  • Brown Saheb-er Baari (The House of Mr. Brown)
  • Sadananda-er Khude Jogot (The Small World of Sadananda)
  • Professor Hiji-bij-bij
  • Baatik Babu
  • Bhakto (Devotee)
  • Bishful
  • Load Shedding
  • Anathbabu'r Bhoy
  • Mr. Shasmol-er Shesh Raatri
  • Pintu'r Dadu
  • Chilekotha
  • First Class Kamra
  • Dhappa
  • Maanpatro
  • Apodartho
  • McKenzie Fruit
  • Sadhon Babu'r Sandeho
  • Lakhpoti
  • Needhiram-er Ichchha Puron
  • Kanayi-er Kathaa
  • Gangaram-er Kapaal
  • Nitai O Mahapurush
  • Hauee
  • Protikriti
  • Norris Shaheb-er Bungalow
  • Kutum Katam
  • Ganesh Mutshuddi'r Portrait
  • Notun Bondhu
  • Shishu Saahityik
  • Mohim Sanyal-er Ghatona
  • Nitai Babu'r Moina
  • Sahojaatri
  • Duyi Bondhu
  • Shilpi 2000
  • Akshay Babu'r Shiksha
  • Proshonna Sir
  • Abhiraam
  • Sobuj Manush
  • Khagam

Anthologies[edit]

  • 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

Poetry[edit]

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 Carrol's Jabberwocky. In translation the poem is renamed 'Joborkhaki'.

Mullah Nasiruddin[edit]

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[edit]

Fatik Chand is a dramatic mystery about the adventures of a kidnapped Calcutta schoolboy, written in Bengali.[12][13] The book was made into a film in 1983 entitled Phatik Chand.[14]

Others[edit]

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[edit]

General[edit]

Individual films[edit]

Apu Trilogy

Explanatory notes[edit]

  1. Baksho Rahashya was originally made as a telefilm but later was also released at Kolkata's Nandan complex.[5][6]

References[edit]

  1. Ray 2015, pp. xiv-xv.
  2. Robinson 1989, p. 387.
  3. "Contributions by Ray". satyajitrayworld.com. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  4. "Being Feluda". The Telegraph. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  5. "The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) - Metro - Feluda". www.telegraphindia.com.
  6. "Feluda reappears on silver screeen". The Economic Times. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  7. "Boyhood and the alien: E.T. and Koi Mil Gaya". 22 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  8. "Koi Mil Gaya Story, Koi Mil Gaya Hindi Movie Story, Preview, Synopsis". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  9. Chhabra, Aseem (11 November 2017). "The story of the similarities between Spielberg's E.T., and a Satyajit Ray script". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  10. "Ray film collection, 09-03-01". 4 November 2005. Archived from the original on 4 November 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  11. "BANKUBABUR BANDHU & SAMUDRER MOUNA at Rangashankara". Events Bangalore. 11 October 2006. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  12. Fatik Chand et le jongleur de Calcutta. Bordas. 1981. ISBN 9782040180249.
  13. Fatik Chand. 1983. ISBN 9788122204209. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  14. "Sandip Ray's debut film was Phatik Chand". The Times of India. 9 December 2014.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Template:Bibliographies of film directors

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