RAY SATYAJIT: (1921-1992) Indian film director, the recipient of an Honorary Academy Award in 1992. A rare T.L.S., Satyajit, one page, 4to, Calcutta, 7th December 1979, to Pamela Cullen. Ray responds to Cullen´s two letters concerning the Lepra project, explaining ´The present film has involved a great deal of shooting on far-flung locations, which is why I have taken so long to convey my feelings to you on the project´, and continuing ´I´m afraid the idea of making documentaries has never attracted me very much, unless involving personalities I have a deep admiration for. Hence Tagore, The Inner Eye, Bala. If you are really thinking of an Indian director for the Indian part of the project, why not Sham? I have seen some excellent factual shorts made by him before Ankur, and I believe he has also made some very good ones since´. Ray further adds that he is glad that Joi Baba Felunath pleased audiences at the London Film Festival, and also refers to his other work, ´All my children´s films are made primarily for home consumption. I know the genre is all but dead in the west, and I´m not a bit surprised that you see no commercial prospects for it out there´. A letter of good content and interesting association. Some light creasing and a couple of small, minor tears to the head of the page, about VG

Pamela Cullen (1923-2024) English film journalist and a passionate member of the Free India Movement during the 1940s. Later in her career the Indian government appointed Cullen to be the London regional manager of their National Film Development Corporation of India. In this capacity she formed strong professional and personal relationships with many figures in the Indian film industry, including Satyajit Ray. In 1995 she set up the Satyajit Ray Foundation in his memory, recognising new film-makers by supporting them and screening their works.