Remembering Satyajit Ray on His 105th Birth Anniversary
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
02 May 2026
Today, May 2, is the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's 105th birth anniversary. Satyajit Ray was an acclaimed filmmaker, writer, composer, and artist, known for his unparalleled contributions to Bengali cinema and his immense influence on global art-house cinema. Born on May 2, 1921, in Calcutta, India, Ray spent his entire life in the city that would become a major source of inspiration for his cinematic works. Ray's observations on life, art and cinema are forever relevant esp. when he said, "Cinema is a powerful medium that can influence and shape society." It embodies the profound impact and responsibility that cinema holds over humanity. With its ability to transcend barriers and reach diverse audiences, cinema possesses an incredible potential to sway minds, challenge norms, and provoke emotions. Through thought-provoking narratives, evocative visuals, and compelling performances, films have the power to shed light on societal issues, spark conversations, and instigate change. Recognizing the immense influence cinema can wield, it is crucial for filmmakers to exercise their craft responsibly, ensuring that their creations reflect the values, aspirations, and struggles of the societies they aim to represent. Indeed, cinema can be a catalyst for societal transformation, offering a platform to challenge existing perceptions, foster empathy, and inspire collective action towards positive social change.
Now pit today's worthless movies like 'Kashmir Files', 'The Kerala Story', 'Dhurandhar,' 'Chhaava' or 'Raja Shivaji' against Ray's immortal masterpieces and his humane idea of filmmaking. You'll be disillusioned to the extent of banging your head against a brick wall till your skull cracks and brain comes out. Today, extreme violence, hatred and unnecessary glorification of certain characters are the primary and predominant facets of a movie. Polarisation is the sole objective. Unlike Ray's classics, today's movies don't make you think. These movies don't influence you. They instigate you; instigate to stoop so low that even you never thought of demeaning yourself in such a way.
One more pithy observation of Ray that has fascinated thinking minds is, " I believe in the power of simplicity; it is often where the true beauty lies." It encapsulates his profound understanding of art and life. As a renowned filmmaker and writer, Ray emphasized the significance of simplicity as a conduit for genuine beauty. He recognized that in the complexity of our world, simplicity holds the potential to reveal profound truths and evoke deeper emotions. Ray's creative work often reflected his belief, as he crafted films that beautifully depicted the ordinary lives of individuals and the subtle nuances of human emotions. By embracing simplicity, Ray demonstrated that true beauty can emerge from the most unadorned elements of existence, capturing the essence of humanity in its purest form. To be simple is the most difficult thing. At times, it's pretty easy, even effortless, to be pompous and showy but correspondingly difficult to be simple and smooth. Ray's films, stories, screenplays and language underline simplicity and prove that a simple and straightforward message can always be much more effective than a convoluted one. Ray believed in natural and spontaneous simplicity, not the kind of simplicity one shows with a view to impressing people. To him, there was more simplicity in the man who ate caviar on impulse than in the man who ate grape-nuts on principle.
My personal favourite has been this quote of Ray, " I believe in the power of silence; sometimes, what is left unsaid can be more powerful than words." Satyajit Ray's quote encapsulates the profound nature of silence and its ability to convey deeper meanings and emotions. In a world filled with constant noise and excessive verbal expression, this quote serves as a reminder of the incredible power that lies in the unspoken. It suggests that silence can often be more impactful and poignant than words themselves. Through his films and writings, Ray, the renowned Indian filmmaker, masterfully portrayed the complexities of human emotions and relationships. By embracing the power of silence, he was able to create moments of profound reflection, allowing viewers to tap into their own thoughts and emotions. This quote serves as a testament to the depth and beauty of silence, showing that in certain situations, leaving things unsaid can speak volumes. In this era of noise and urgency, moments of thoughtful silence are both dignified and unhurried. Volubility and bloviation never last. After listening to the celestial whispers of silence, even a nice conversation sounds like following a symphony with a kazoo solo. It's tantamount to drinking Tharra (cheap country liquor) after quaffing Moët.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
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