Annya Manik- The Untold Ray

On the occasion of Satyajit Ray’s birthday, RAP Education Photography School organized a special seminar on Satyajit Ray to explore a different and lesser-known dimension of the legendary filmmaker, writer, illustrator, and music composer.

While Satyajit Ray is globally celebrated for his timeless classics like Pather Panchali, Charulata, and The Apu Trilogy, this seminar aimed to highlight an untold side of Ray– the photographer Satyajit Ray. His contribution to photography is often overlooked, but it reflects the same depth, composition, and storytelling that he brought to cinema and literature.

The speaker of the session was Mr. Aroop Ray Chaudhury, an intellectual, educationist, and nephew of Satyajit Ray, who shared rare insights into Ray’s creative journey and photographic vision.

Satyajit Ray used to see every detail of daily life from a different perspective, and that set him apart from others. His philosophy of life was rooted in deep observation and realization. He loved to watch the same things—like a flower or the shadow of a railing—at different times of the day, under different angles of natural light. While ordinary people might not have the patience for such mindful observation, Ray always did, and this practice helped him create timeless and mindful art.

Mr. Aroop Ray Chaudhury shared few photographs captured by him according to the direction of his uncle Satyajit Ray. At a glance the photographs may be consider as simple. But, after a close look, one will be appreciate them as expressive art. Ray always tried to give priority to the emotion of human and hence it helped to do creative photography.

For more than two hours, the audience listened to Mr. Ray Chaudhury with great interest, and after the session, they interacted with him and took his autograph.