14 Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray Quotes

“once you take the first step out of your house, the whole world becomes a home to you.”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14: Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray

“This is not a city, it’s a labyrinth. One can enter it, but there’s no way one can leave.”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14: Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray

“What better way to explain the fallacies of adulthood than from the perspective of a child? It is only when we step out of ourselves and stand behind a child and look at ourselves through his eyes that we truly feel ashamed about some of the things we do.”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14: Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray

“Suddenly, she understood the meaning of the look on his face on that day. She remembered the kiss she had extended towards Apurva’s face and retreated from half-way. Within the confines of her room, like a thirsty bird chasing a mirage in the desert, she extended the same kiss towards the opportunity that had passed her by, but nothing seemed to quench her thirst. The only thoughts that kept crossing her mind were—ah, if only I’d done this on that day, if only I’d said that when he asked me the other day, if only.
— Rabindranath Tagore, from the short story “The Conclusion”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14 Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray

“The rains had arrived, but the sky was not overcast that afternoon. There was a slightly warm breeze blowing. The wet, sun-kissed grass and plants gave off their characteristic smell, which rose up like heavy exhalations from the tired ground. An obstinate bird tweeted her complaints to Mother Nature all afternoon. The postmaster had been sitting idle all day, watching the smooth, wet green leaves shiver on the trees and the stray patches of sun-lit clouds in the sky. Right then, he longed for the company of someone close to his heart—some human form who felt love and affection for him, someone to talk to. He began to wonder if the bird’s complaints were to the same effect. Even the rustling of the leaves that lonely and desolate afternoon spoke to him of the same ache as the one in his heart.
— Rabindranath Tagore, from the short story “The Postmaster”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14 Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray

“He stumbled into the room. It was empty—there were only the portraits of seven generations of Rays staring at him from the walls. Vishwambhar Ray entered the room and walked up to the open window. It was a moonlit night—a full moon hung in the sky. A strong and sweet smell of muchukunda flowers wafted through the lawns in the soft, cool breeze. An unknown bird tweeted melodiously from its nest on some unknown tree. A song came to his mind. A certain song in Behaag raga that Chandra had sung to him—‘Come to me, come to me, my dear.’ Ray looked up—the moon was high up in the sky. Hearing footsteps, he turned. Ananta was about to extinguish the lamps.
Holding up a hand, Ray said, ‘let it be’.
— Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay, From the short story “The Music Room”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14 Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray

“Don’t even think of serving him on our dish. He’ll break the dish and won’t even touch the offerings. He flares up in an instant. When he’s enraged he doesn’t even spare his wife. He beat his son black and blue the other day, and the poor child is nursing a broken arm. You’ll have to place the offerings on the mat itself. But make sure you don’t touch any of it. Take Jhudi Gour’s daughter along with you, and buy all the stuff from Shah’s shop in the market. The offerings have to be generous, or he’ll get upset. One kilo flour, half a kilo of rice, quarter kilo pulses, some ghee, salt, turmeric, and don’t forget to add a few coins to all this. If you can’t find Gour’s daughter, beg Bhurji’s wife to go with you and get the stuff. Remember, don’t touch any of it—or else we’ll be in deep trouble.’
Having instructed his wife thus, Dukhi picked up his stick and a large bundle of grass, and set off to meet Pandit-ji.
— Munshi Premchand, From the short story “Deliverance”
― Bhaskar Chattopadhyay, 14 Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray