Nemai Ghosh, who worked with Satyajit Ray as a still photographer for 25 years, captures the auteur in his candid moments
Nemai Ghosh, who worked with Satyajit Ray as a still photographer for 25 years, captures the auteur in his candid moments
Nemai Ghosh was sitting around all by himself when I caught him at the National Gallery of Modern Art. He wore a saffron-coloured vest over his light blue shirt, and was mildly annoyed that I was late.
"You are late by 10 minutes... Punctuality is one of those things I learnt from Ray," he began his conversation.
Nemai-da, as he is called, spent 25 years of his life working with Ray as his still photographer, and also documenting the auteur's work in pictures.
His show in Bangalore features 101 pictures, including one where Ray is running with the crew through a forest, and another where he is patiently explaining a shot to an actress half immersed in water.
The images capture the late master in rare moods, and provide insights into several aspects of his craft.
Nemai-da chose his photographs from among 95, 000 images he clicked during his professional and personal association with Ray.
The show is a treat for movie buffs, and anyone interested in the master's work. An additional attraction is the Shyam Benegal documentary on Ray, screened every day at 11 am and 2 pm.
"It was my admiration for the master that inspired the pictures, and not any thought of Ray as a great subject," he said.
"I was in a trance when I met him," recalls Nemai-da, who used to act in a group called Little Theatre before Ray chose him as his still photographer in 1967.
The collection is all black and white, and records Ray doing almost everything from writing a script to rerecording for a film.u00a0
"He made me a photographer. After him I have not worked with any filmmaker. I just can't adjust," he said in Bengali.
While capturing Ray even in a crowd scene, the camera raises him above all else, suggesting the strength of his personality.
Photographs such as the one where he is designing a card for his film Shonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) and another of his shooting from the boot of a car for Ganasahatru (The Middleman) give movie lovers an idea of what happened during the making of some of the best films of all time.
Nemaida captures the deep creases across Ray's face and the joy of creation in his eyes. He clicked most of his pictures with a Cannet QL 17 in available light, and without Ray's knowledge.
"It wasn't easy to photograph Ray without asking him to pose," said Nemai-da. "I had to think of the aperture speed and focus, and in a split second, catch him in action."
For many like Bhaskar G S, a photographer and legend in South Indian cinema, a visit to the gallery was 'virtually a lesson in cinematography.'
"Nemai Da has not only captured Satyajit Ray as a great film personality but also brought home the essence of the master at work," he told MiD DAY. "The joy is that he is not intimidated by the master's persona."
At National Gallery of Modern Art, Palace Road
On till November 27, Closed on Mondays
Entry Fee Rs 10
Call 2220 1027
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He made me a photographer. After him, I have not worked with any filmmaker. I just can't adjust
u2014 Nemai Ghosh
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