Google posted a black and white doodle on its homepage as a tribute to the veteran Indian film maker Satyajit Ray on his 92nd birthday on Thursday. The doodle describes a scene, carved in the minds of every movie lover across the world, from the popular film Pather Panchali. Born into a Bengali family on 2nd May, 1921, Satyajit Ray directed many feature films, short films and documentaries. His first film Pather Panchali, released in 1955, gathered wide acclamation nationally and internationally. The Government of India honoured him with Bharat Ratna in 1992.As an eminent director in Indian cinema who tried to bring a unique feature in his movies, celebrities from Malayalam industry remembers a few films of Satyajit Ray. The famous cinematographer and director, Amal Neerad, was a student of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata. He speaks about Charulatha, released in 1964.“ Charulatha, a film directed by Satyajit Ray, is one of my favourite movies. Its a love story with an unhappy ending,” Amal Neerad said. Charulatha, an upper middle class wife, establishes a friendship with one of her relatives. When the friendship turns love the two decides to separate for a good cause.“I felt it was an ethically right decision,” adds Amal. Another popular film director in Malayalam, Lal Jose, agreed that Pather Panchali was always close to his heart.The movie pictures the impoverished family life of Apu. “ Setting in the rural life of Bengal in 1920s, the narration of the film was heart touching,” added Lal Jose.John Paul, who has penned script for many films, said he could relate Rays film Pratidwandi to his life. “It was a story of unemployment. I watched the movie when I finished my graduation. I felt the films story was close to the life of the unemployed youth like me at that time.” Despite the film making, Satyajit Ray has contributed well to the literary world with many of short stories and fictions. The renowned film maker breathed his last on April 23, 1992.
