A flickering moment if unrecorded slips into oblivion. – Prof. Rajeev Lochan

The National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru is proud to announce an exhibition of photographs on the legendary film maker Satyajit Ray photographed by Nemai Ghosh. The exhibition titled Satyajit Ray: From Script to Screen was inaugurated by Shri Jawhar Sircar Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India on Tuesday 27th October 2009 at 6.00 pm. The exhibition comprises of 101 photographs capturing the master in various stages of film making and will be on view from 28th Oct to 27th Nov 2009. Daily screenings of documentary films complementing the exhibition will be held at 11am and 3pm in the auditorium of N.G.M.A.

“The exhibition ‘Satyajit Ray: From Script to Screen’ is an attempt where the photographer – artist (Nemai Ghosh) has culled out a stimulating cross – section of images from his phenomenal archives of over 95000 negatives spread over the years”, said Professor Rajeev Lochan, Director of The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.

Nemai Ghosh to Satyajit Ray is what James Boswell was to Samuel Johnson, a constant companion and observer. Given the freedom and access to photograph the legendary maestro in his public as well as private moments during the film maker’s career, Ghosh has managed to capture every fleeting moment of Ray’s professional life. This exhibition is only a fraction of the extensive body of work allowing the viewer a brief glimpse into the meticulous ways of Ray’s functioning in all its different aspects of film making which he did with such ease.

The exhibition on one hand documents the painstaking ways of Satyajit Ray and on the other provides an insight into the perceptive capabilities of another innovative mind’s experiences. The artists eye behind the lens discovers much more than what the camera lens can. Skillfully shot these photographs move beyond mere documentation, each revealing a story of the creative process. Be it a photograph on location or in the four walls of a studio, a sketch including meticulous details of props or a sheet of musical notes, Ghosh captures the innovative, emotional and intellectual aspects effectively yet aesthetically.

Four films complementing the exhibition will be screened daily at 11am and 3 pm.
• Satyajit Ray Negatives – My life with Manikda
• The Inner Eye (English) – panorama of films on the wonder this is India...
• Satyajit Ray (part 1 ) – Shyam Benegal
• Satyajit Ray (part 2) – Shyam Benegal.

This exhibition would draw all admirers of Satyajit Ray as well as those desirous of experiencing the working of ‘behind the scenes’ of film making as well as the two great creative minds.