11 moments

1. Birth in Calcutta

   1921-05-02 · Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India

   

   Ray was born in Calcutta, then in the Bengal Presidency of British India. Coordinates represent central present-day Kolkata.

2. Fine-art study at Visva-Bharati

   1940-01-01 · Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India

   

   At his mother's urging, Ray entered Visva-Bharati University for higher study in fine art; his period at Santiniketan became formative for his engagement with Oriental art.

3. Advertising work in Calcutta

   1943-01-01 · Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India

   

   Ray began his professional career as a graphic artist at a British-based advertising firm in Calcutta, alongside his growing work as an illustrator and designer. Coordinates represent central present-day Kolkata.

4. London business assignment

   1950-01-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

   D.J. Keymer sent Ray to work at its London headquarters. During the six-month stay he watched films intensively, including Bicycle Thieves, an experience central to his decision to make films. The source supports the year but not a more precise arrival or departure date.

5. Pather Panchali production begins

   1952-01-01 · Boral, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

   

   Ray and cinematographer Subrata Mitra arrived in Boral to begin work on Pather Panchali, Ray's first feature and the opening film of the Apu Trilogy. Coordinates are a representative point for Boral; the source gives only the year.

6. Apu Trilogy discussion at Venice Film Festival

   1957-01-01 · Venice, Veneto, Italy

   

   Ray attended the Venice International Film Festival with Aparajito. A press-conference question there prompted his commitment to making the Apu films as a trilogy. Coordinates represent Venice rather than a specific festival venue.

7. Jalshaghar filming at Nimtita Rajbari

   1957-01-01 · Nimtita Rajbari, Nimtita, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India

   

   Ray filmed Jalshaghar against the backdrop of Nimtita Rajbari, using the decaying palace to serve the film's story of an aristocratic household in decline. Coordinates are for Nimtita Rajbari.

8. Kanchenjungha filming in Darjeeling

   1962-01-01 · Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

   

   For his first colour feature and first original screenplay, Ray chose to film Kanchenjungha in Darjeeling, using the town's changing light and mist as dramatic elements. The source identifies Darjeeling as the town; the date is the film's 1962 release year and is not a precise shooting date.

9. Shatranj Ke Khilari studio work

   1977-01-01 · Indrapuri Studios, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

   Ray directed Shatranj Ke Khilari at Indrapuri Studios, working directly with the camera and actors during production of his first non-Bengali feature. The article identifies the production's studio as Indrapuri Studios; coordinates are a representative point for the studio area in Kolkata.

10. Photographed in New York

    1981-10-12 · New York City, New York, United States

    

    Ray was photographed in New York during 1981, documenting one of his later international visits. Coordinates represent central New York City; the photograph's metadata does not identify a more specific location.

11. Death at Calcutta clinic

    1992-04-23 · Calcutta, West Bengal, India

    After prolonged illness and hospitalization, Ray died at a Calcutta clinic at age 70, shortly after receiving an Honorary Academy Award by video link. The reporting identifies only a hospital in Calcutta; coordinates represent central present-day Kolkata.