Satyajit Ray's 1950 London Residence Nominated for
Esteemed Blue Plaque Honor

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Los Angeles/Oct 25, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

The UK’s English Heritage organization has shortlisted the Hampstead home where acclaimed Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray lived in 1950 for its celebrated blue plaque status. The property at 50 Willoughby Road, currently owned by Merilyn Fricker, could soon join the ranks of Hampstead landmarks marking the former residences of notable figures such as Agatha Christie, George Orwell, and Sigmund Freud.

Ray, who moved to London with his wife Bijoya while working at the advertising firm D J Keymer, stayed at this address during a pivotal period in his career. It was here he decided to pursue filmmaking after watching Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves, a decision that led to his iconic debut film Pather Panchali, which placed Indian cinema on the global stage.

Anvaya Ganguly, a UK-based IT professional and devoted fan, located Ray’s former residence in 2023 and submitted an application to English Heritage, supported by evidence from Ray’s son, Sandip Ray, and daughter-in-law, Lalita. Ganguly hopes this documentation will help confirm Ray’s link to the home, describing the residence as a significant site in his journey as a filmmaker.

English Heritage’s decision process, which may take up to 18 months, could lead to the house receiving the official blue plaque—an honor that would celebrate Ray’s lasting legacy and recognize the home as an inspiring place in the history of world cinema.

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