From the back cover satyajit ray, known to his intimates as manik-da, remains indias most respected name in international film circles. This book reveals in its simplicity the ease and camaraderie between satyajit ray, one of indias finest film-makers, and nemai ghosh, photographer extraordinaire. Manik-da is the latters endeavour to depict the man behind the directors mask. Ghosh first worked with ray on goopy gyne bagha byne, and ray immediately found in him a kindred spirit who intuitively understood his requirements - and whom he understood. Thus was formed a partnership that spanned over a quarter of a century. In the process, ghosh was able to photograph ray at work and play, capturing on film the many moods of the master director. This nuanced and lucid translation from the bengali original, which includes a perceptive foreword by sharmila tagore, presents to the english reader ghoshs thoughts on ray with over fifty exquisite, never-before-seen photographs. About the author nemai ghosh is best known for his photographs of satyajit ray. He has exhibited at cannes in 1991, at london in 1992, and several times at calcutta and delhi. He is the author of faces of indian art through the lens of nemai ghosh, satyajit ray a vision of cinema (with andrew robinson), satyajit ray at 70 and manik da memories of satyajit ray.Sankarlal bhattacharjee is a journalist,academic and author.