Google doodle honours legendary filmmaker Satyajit

Google honoured Satyajit Ray on his 92nd birthday on Thursday by dedicating a black and white doodle to the legendary filmmaker.

The doodle is based on a famous scene from Ray's first film Pather Panchali, where the protagonist Apu runs along with his sister Durga across a Kaash flower field to watch a train go by.

Pather Panchali, based on a novel by Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, marked Ray's directorial debut.

The film, first of the Apu Trilogy, was released in 1955 and went on to receive 11 international accolades including the Best Human Document at the Cannes Film Festival.

It depicts the childhood of the protagonist Apu in the countryside of Bengal in the 1920s.

Ray, who directed 36 films, including features, documentaries and short films, is considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers of his time.

A man of many talents, Ray also authored several books including the popular Feluda and Professor Shanku series. He was a publisher, illustrator, calligrapher, graphic designer and film critic rolled into one.

Inspired by French filmmaker Jean Renoir, Ray ventured into filmmaking and gave us several master pieces including the Apu Trilogy, Charulata, Kanchenjongha, Satranj Ke Khiladi and Devi, among others.

However, the foundations of Ray's creative life were laid early on in his childhood as his grandfather Upendrakishore, one of the founding members of the Bramho Samaj, and father Sukumar were both renowned literary figures.

Ray won the Oscar award in 1992 for his contribution to the world of filmmaking.

On Thursday, some of the top searches on Google were 'Satyajit Ray movies', 'Satyajit Ray Institute' and his widely loved fictional character Feluda.

The last Google doodle featuring an Indian was dedicated to Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh in February.

To view a museum of Google doodles, visit www.google.co.in/doodles/