Google celebrates Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray's 92nd birth anniversary with a Doodle depicting a famous scene - of the young Durga and Apu running through fields - from possibly his most famous film, Pather Panchali.

Apu and Durga in a still from Pather Panchali

Satyajit Ray, born on May 2, 1921, was a director, writer, illustrator, graphic designer and music composer. His grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray, was a writer, illustrator and publisher. Mr Ray's father Sukumar was a pioneer of Bengali nonsense rhyme and children's literature.

Pather Panchali (1955) was Satyajit Ray's very first film, made by pawning his wife's jewellery and then with the help of a government grant. The film, a story of life in rural Bengal seen through the eyes of its young protagonist Apu and his sister Durga, placed not just Satyajit Ray but Indian cinema by and large on the world map of cinema. Pather Panchali won 11 prizes at international film festivals, including one at Cannes. With Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959), Pather Panchali forms The Apu trilogy, Mr Ray's best-known work.

Satyajit Ray's other classic films include Charulata, Jalsaghar, Nayak, Devi, Mahanagar, Aranyer Din Ratri and Jana Aranya. He introduced actors Soumitro Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore in Apur Sansar, and cast them in many later films. He worked with Bengali superstar Uttam Kumar in Nayak, cited as one of the best films in both the director and actor's careers.

Apu and Durga in a still from Pather Panchali

Satyajit Ray wrote the Feluda series of books, aimed at young adults. He also filmed two of the books, Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath. Mr Ray also made the very popular film series featuring Goopy Gayen and Bagha Baayen, two clueless but good-hearted musicians.

Satyajit Ray won a slew of awards in his illustrious career, including 32 National Awards and an Oscar for lifetime achievement. Many of his films were chosen as India's submission to the Oscars.

Apu and Durga in a still from Pather Panchali