India, April 23 -- Mr Satyajit Ray, the legend of the Indian cinema, is no more. The master passed away after a prolonged illness at Calcutta nursing home at 5.45 p.m. today.

Death which cast its long shadow over this gentle colossus ever since he was admitted to the nursing home on January 27 finally broke him away from his own family and an endless multitude of admirers at home and abroad in his state of drowsiness. His wife, Mrs. Bijaya Ray, son, Sandip, daughter-in-law Lalita, and a family friend, Nirmalya Acharya, were by his bedside when the end came.

A medical bulletin issued by Dr K. B. Bakshi on behalf of the medical team attending on Mr Ray read, "With deepest regret we have to announce the sad demise of Mr Satyajit Ray at 5.4...