Satyajit Ray’s Professor Shanku and Science Fiction (সত্যজিৎ রায়ের প্রোফেসর শঙ্কু ও কল্পবিজ্ঞান)

Abstract

Satyajit Ray's achievement and contribution in Bengali literature is an invaluable asset. He was born on May 2^nd, 1921, in an intellectual and affluent family in Calcutta. His grandfather, Upendra kishore Ray was a renowned writer, painter and a composer. His father Sukumar Ray was contributed significantly to children's literature in his short life. Satyajit Ray, an Indian filmmaker and an iconic figure in world cinema. Satyajit Ray directly controlled many aspects of his filmmaking.  He directed almost 30 features, as well as short films and documentaries. In 1991 he was awarded an Oscar for lifetime achievement. He was multi-talented man -filmmaker, illustrator, author, essayist, magazine editor, calligrapher, translator, screenwriter, and music composer. Satyajit Ray, the third generation of the Ray’s family, has gifted us with detective stories like Feluda as well as science fiction stories like Professor Shanku that enrich our Bengali literature. The Science fiction genre originated from Western literature. Which is now known to almost everyone.

            Satyajit Ray is a memorable personality as Science Fiction writer of Bengali fiction. His works can be easily divided into two categories. One, Science fiction stories with Professor Shanku and two, Science fiction stories without Professor Shanku. Such as, ‘Bunkubabus bondhu’, ‘Septopaser Khide’, ‘Brihachchanchu’, ‘Ratan Babu O sei lokta’, 'Mayurkanthi jelly', 'Anukul', 'Pterodactyler dim' etc. are his wonderful creations of without Professor Shanku's science fiction stories. And discussion of Professor Shanku's story would remain incomplete unless his own discoveries were highlighted. Like as Miracurol, Botica indica, Fish pil, Samanoline, Aynaihilin Pistal, Luminimax etc. Along with discoveries, the stories written in the form of diaries about the geographical details of different parts of the world, adventures, mysteries etc. are fascinating. In the discussion essay I will draw attention to the selected science fiction stories with professor Shanku. Satyajit Ray will always be remembered in the genre of Bengali science fiction.