Collective Rays

The Satyajit Ray Society is ready with a blueprint for a heritage institute dedicated to the filmmaker

Bengali cinema for several people,otherwise unfamiliar with either the language or its creative heritage,is synonymous with Satyajit Ray. While Ray is a phenomenon that is yet to dim on popular memory,a heritage institute dedicated to his works would definitely come as a boon to film enthusiasts. And if things work out fine,the Satyajit Ray Society would soon start work on the Satyajit Ray Heritage Institute. “We have approached several organizations and individuals for funds. If things work out and funds start coming in,we will start working on the construction of the building as soon as possible,” says Arup K De,CEO,the Satyajit Ray Society. The blueprint for the heritage institute comprises a Ray archive,an exhibition hall,a seminar hall,a study centre and a library. “We want to build the centre in Kolkata itself. So that research scholars,film enthusiasts and people interested in studying Ray’s works can come down conveniently,” says De. The objective of setting up a heritage institute,according to the Society,is to disseminate accurate information about Ray and also facilitate archiving and valuable research.

The Ray society is also organizing a Satyajit Ray Festival 2009,for celebrate Ray’s birth anniversary and also spread word about the institute from May 3. The festival kicked off with the inauguration of an exhibition of stills taken by Ray at the Birla Academy. Lyricist Javed Akhtar delivered a lecture on the occasion. Quizzes,screenings of Ray’s short films and documentaries,plays and musical performances will liven up the week-long festival.