Photos by Satyajit Ray on display at Kolkata filmfest

Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) Very few know that Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray was equally at ease with still camera as he was with a movie camera. Rare photographs taken by Ray are on display at 17th Kolkata Film Festival.

The pictures capturing various moments both in India and abroad between late 1950s to late 1960s are on display at the film festival. The exhibition started on Nov 11 and will go on till Nov 17.

According to Ray's son, Sandip Ray - the main man behind the exhibition, the legendary filmmaker used to carry a still camera during location hunting for his films and at various film festivals across the globe.

The snaps showcased at the exhibition ranges from portraits, landscapes to various moments such as Bengali actor Uttam Kumar at Rome, and Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosowa in India.

'Actually for last few years we were planning to hold an exhibition of photographs taken by my father at various point during his abroad visits and location hunting in India,' Sandip Ray told IANS.

'There are still many more pictures which need to arranged and assembled properly. If possible, we will again arrange such exhibitions,' Ray added.

The visitors at the photo exhibition were also elated to witness another side of the most talented filmmaker India has ever produced.

'It's really a lifetime achievement to witness the still photographs taken by Ray. I am sure if he had tried his hand in photography, also he would have given many professional photographers a run for their money,' wrote Abhishek Basak in the visitor's book.