Pratikriti

• Author: সত্যজিৎ রায় (Satyajit Ray)
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers
• Language: Bengali
• Edition: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788177563429
• Pages: 176

Book Description:

প্রতিকৃতি (Pratikriti) is a collection that highlights the remarkable portrait work of legendary filmmaker and artist Satyajit Ray. Known for his contribution to various art forms, including drawing book covers, creating illustrations for his stories, and working with visual mediums in his films, Satyajit Ray’s legacy as an artist extends beyond cinema. This book specifically focuses on his portraits—over a hundred portraits of distinguished personalities from various walks of life, whom he encountered throughout his life.

His subjects include both Indian and international figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Manik Bandopadhyay, Abanindranath Tagore, M. F. Husain, Swami Vivekananda, Subhas Chandra Bose, Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, Charlie Chaplin, Akira Kurosawa, and many others. Each portrait captures the essence of the individual with minimal lines, showing Ray's ability to bring out the personality and character in just a few strokes. The variety in his approach is evident—whether capturing Vivekananda with bold strokes, depicting Picasso’s cubist features, or showcasing the delicate features of figures like Jibanananda Das through intricate, fine lines.

This collection uncovers the multifaceted genius of Ray in portraiture, revealing the subtle nuances of his artistic style and reflecting his deep admiration and respect for these figures. প্রতিকৃতি also includes four never-before-published portraits, further enriching the understanding of Ray’s unique artistic vision.

About the Author:

Satyajit Ray, born on May 2, 1921, in North Kolkata, was one of the greatest filmmakers in the world. Son of Sukumar Ray and Suprabha Ray, he attended Ballygunge Government High School and later Presidency College, where he graduated with honors in 1940. Though he briefly studied at Santiniketan's Kala Bhavana, he left his education unfinished to return to Kolkata. His career started in advertising, where he worked at D.J. Keymer, before he went on to achieve global recognition as a filmmaker.

Ray’s film Pather Panchali (1955) marked the beginning of his journey in world cinema, winning international acclaim, including awards at the Cannes Film Festival. He was also an acclaimed writer and illustrator, known for works like the Professor Shonku series and the Feluda detective stories. He received several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna and the Légion d’Honneur from France. Ray passed away on April 23, 1992, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema and the global arts scene.