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1-50 of 116
- Writer
- Composer
- Director
Satyajit Ray was born in Calcutta on May 2, 1921. His father, Late Sukumar Ray was an eminent poet and writer in the history of Bengali literature. In 1940, after receiving his degree in science and economics from Calcutta University, he attended Tagore's Viswa-Bharati University. His first movie Pather Panchali (1955) won several International Awards and set Ray as a world-class director. He died on April twenty-third, 1992.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
The legendary Bengali Actor of Calcutta, Uttam Kumar (Guru, Mahanayak as fans say), widely regarded as one of the Greatest actors ever in India, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, singer, music composer, playback singer who predominantly worked in Indian Cinema. Though he was a commercial success and widely accepted as the Greatest Actor of Bengali film, he also achieved great critical appreciations for his natural way of acting. When the Indian government instituted the National Film Awards for National Film Award for Best Actor and National Film Award for Best Actress in 1967, Uttam Kumar was the first-ever recipient of the Best Actor Award for his performances in Antony Firingee and Chiriyakhana in 1967. Acted in over 250 films with different experimental and complicated characters. Among which "Nayak", "Bicharak", "Jatugriha", "Chiriyakhana", "Khokababur Protyabarton", "Chowrongiee", "Ekhane Pinjar", "Thana Theke Aschi" etc. shows his genius.Though there were problems regarding editing, co-stars and others in contemporary Bengali films, still his genius acting made him the most popular film star. He is well acclaimed due to the successful depiction of several kinds of characters in films apart from his romantic image. He received the Best "greatest Actor" MAHANAYAK award for the same film from the Government of India on 25 November 1975. The price was worth 500000 rupees. Besides 8 times Bengal film Journalists' Awards for his incomparable acting he got many prizes and acclaims throughout his life. Got the Indian national award Padmashree for his contribution to Bengali films. He produced "Saptapadi" which was a commercial hit and approved Uttam Kumar along with Suchitra Sen the romantic Icon of Bengali Film forever. It got Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Bengali in 1961 National Film Award, India. He starred in Hindi films like "Kitaab", "Dooriyan", "Plot no. 5", "Amanush", "Anand Ashram" etc. which approves his popularity and also shows beauties of natural acting. He composed music for the film "Banpalashir Padabali", which was a great commercial hit. He was very generous to poor co-workers in Film Industry but he lived an alcoholic reckless life. Workaholic Uttam Kumar died while filming "Ogo Bodhu Sundari" one of the greatest comedy films of Bengal, in Belle Vue Clinic on 24th July 1980.The Tollygunge metro station of Kolkata Metro was renamed as "Mahanayak Uttam Kumar". Satyajit Ray paid homage to his death saying "It is the demise of a leading light of the Bengali film industry...There isn't - there won't be another hero like him."- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Ritwik Ghatak was born on 4 November 1925 in Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Dhaka, Bangladesh]. He was a director and writer, known for Reason, Debate and a Story (1974), Musafir (1957) and The Cloud-Capped Star (1960). He was married to Surama Ghatak. He died on 6 February 1976 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Utpal Dutt was born on 29 March 1929 in Barisal, Bengal Presidency, British India [now Bangladesh]. He was an actor and director, known for The Stranger (1991), Gol Maal (1979) and Bhuvan Shome (1969). He was married to Shobha Sen. He died on 19 August 1993 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Director
- Cinematographer
- Writer
Nitin Bose was born on 27 April 1897 in Calcutta, Bengal, British India [now India]. He was a director and cinematographer, known for Gunga Jumna (1961), Desher Mati (1938) and Dharti Mata (1938). He died on 14 April 1986 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Mother Teresa also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun who in 1950 founded and was an active member of the Missionaries of Charity. Although her passport name was Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, she was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu (Skopje, capital of North Macedonia. After living in Skopje for eighteen years, she moved to Ireland and then to India, where she lived for most of her life.
- Writer
- Music Department
- Composer
Rabindranath Tagore was born on 6 May 1861 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India [now India]. He was a writer and composer, known for Song of the Body, Streer Patra (1972) and Natir Puja (1932). He was married to Mrinalini Devi. He died on 7 August 1941 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India [now India].- Music Department
Shaila Devi was born in 1918, in Comilla district of undivided Bengal. Her father was Rajani Kanta Das. Shaila started singing at an early age by listening to the radio. Her ability to pick up songs readily was noticed by her guardians and soon a formal training in music was arranged for her under Shri Shyama Charan Datta. Very soon other teachers like Ustad Khusru Mian, Samarendra Pal and Harihar Roy were giving her music lessons. Regular training in classical music at an early age from worthy trainers made her voice highly refined and polished, well suited for different types of songs. Occasionally music director Himangshu Datta also gave her lessons, when he happened to be at his hometown Comilla. However, in 1931 or 1932, the exact date is unknown, Shaila was married to Sachindra Mohan Deb. Marriage did not prove to be an impediment with her singing as was usual in those days. On the contrary, financial conditions made it certain that she should continue to sing. Her husband was not very well off and she had to earn as well to maintain the family. So she decided to take up the profession of private tutor in music while she continued to learn herself. She left East Bengal and came to Calcutta sometime in 1938 along with her husband in response to a call by Himangshu Datta. The music circle in Calcutta welcomed the newcomer with great enthusiasm. Himangshu Datta, Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay, Raichand Boral and Krishna Chandra Dey were amongst those who rendered helping hands to get Shaila established in the world of the radio and records. Devi got attached to Pioneer Records and her first recordings were Bengali devotional songs under the guidance of Krishna Chandra Dey. There was no looking back for her once the first record was published. In 1940 she recorded Bonero Chameli Phirey Ai, a song that became immensely popular, so much that re-makes of this song has been made by several senior artistes of later years. She was one of the regular artistes for the radio programs titled Mahishashurmardini under Pankaj Mallick's direction, singing Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu for some years. For films, Devi sang under music directors like Kaji Nazrul Islam, Rai Chand Boral, Himangshu Datta, Durga Sen, Shailesh Dattagupta, Sachin Dev Burman and many others. Songs like Shuk Kahe Sari, Sudhu Kangaler Mato, Banglar Badhu Bukey Taar Madhu (with Robin Majumdar and Suprava Sarkar) created history. She also recorded Tagore songs as basic records. In the early forties Devi became one of the most sought after female playback singers. She also lent her voice to many Hindi films like Chowringhee and Wapas. She had signed a contract to sing for Meghdoot as well but fate decided otherwise and most tragically she suffered an attack of ruptured appendix and was admitted to the Mayo Hospital in Calcutta on 11th March, 1944. She passed away in the early hours of the very next day on the 12th of March, leaving behind her husband, two daughters, Leena and Subhra, a son Suhas Kusum Deb and a host of mourning admirers. Her younger daughter Subhra died of rheumatic heart disease when she was only fifteen.Shaila Devi's eldest daughter Leena Saha is a singer also and has lent her voice for films and has performed on the stage several times. After Shaila's death the Senola Company released some of her last songs recorded earlier.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Rabi Ghosh was born on 24 November 1931 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor and director, known for Baksha Rahasya (1996), Byomkesh Bakshi (1993) and Aranyer Din Ratri (1970). He was married to Anubha Gupta. He died on 4 February 1997 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Music Artist
- Music Department
- Composer
Hemanta Mukherjee was born on 16 June 1920 in Benares, Benares State, British India. He was a music artist and composer, known for Nagin (1954), Bees Saal Baad (1962) and Lalan Fakir (1987). He was married to Bela Mukherjee. He died on 26 September 1989 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay was born on 15 September 1876 in Debanandapur, Hooghly, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sarat Chandra was a writer, known for Devdas (2002), Dev.D (2009) and Swami (1977). Sarat Chandra died on 16 January 1938 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.
- Actor
- Producer
Bhanu Bannerjee was born on 26 August 1920 in Bikrampur, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Munshiganj, Bangladesh]. He was an actor and producer, known for Sharey Chuattar (1953), Parajay (1939) and Bindur Chheley (1973). He died on 4 March 1983 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Anup Kumar was born on 17 June 1930 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor, known for Palatak (1963), Tilottama (1978) and Bosepukure Khunkharapi (1996). He was married to Aloka Ganguly. He died on 4 September 1998 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Actor
- Director
Chhabi Biswas was born on 12 July 1900 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor and director, known for Karnarjun (1941), The Music Room (1958) and Kabuliwala (1957). He died on 11 June 1962 in Calcutta [now Kolkata], West Bengal, India.- Chunibala Devi was born in 1872. She was an actress, known for Pather Panchali (1955), Rikta (1939) and Bigraha (1930). She died in 1955 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Music Artist
- Composer
- Music Department
Salil Choudhury was born on 19 November 1923 in Harinavi, 24 Parganas, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a music artist and composer, known for Madhumati (1958), Anand (1971) and Prem Patra (1962). He was married to Jyoti Chowdhury and Sabita Banerjee. He died on 5 September 1995 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Ashapurna Devi was born on 8 January 1909 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Ashapurna was a writer, known for Baala Bandhana (1971), Chhoti Si Mulaqat (1967) and Agni Parikshya (1954). Ashapurna died on 13 July 1995 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Production Manager
Anil Chatterjee was born on 25 October 1929 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Sagina Mahato (1971), The Big City (1963) and Three Daughters (1961). He died on 17 March 1996 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Jyoti Prakash Bhattacharya was born in the Jessore district of undivided Bengal in 1916 in an orthodox Brahmin family. His schooling was in Calcutta and he had a brief stint at Presidency College and at Shantiniketan. Before joining films he took training as a commercial pilot but did not continue in the job and decided to join films as an assistant to Debaki Bose. Soon he was offered a small role in Parajay (1940) and almost immediately played the hero in Doctor (1940), Meenakshi (1942), The Court Dancer: Raj Narkati (1941), Chowrangee, Paper Pathey and other films. His controversial marriage to actress Sheila Haldar, despite his being married, generated a good deal of public interest. He had to convert to Islam to get married the second time. However, Sheila Haldar's death shortly after childbirth caused a mental disbalance in the man and he committed suicide in December 1942. He lived for twenty six years only but during his brief association with films could become one of the most sought after heroes of the Bengali screen.
- Mahua Roy Chowdhury was born on 24 September 1958. She was an actress, known for Paka Dekha (1980), Ranger Saheb (1978) and Jiban Marur Prante (1976). She was married to Tilak Chakraborty. She died on 22 July 1986 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Actress
Jamuna was the fourth daughter of the six daughters of Puran Gupta, a resident of a village near Agra, India. Each of the sisters were named after Indian rivers like Ganga, Jamuna, Bhagirathi etc. As destiny would have it, Jamuna came to reside in Calcutta, a leading film producing city in India, in the thirties and played a small role in Mohabbat Ki Kasauti (1934), directed by P.C. Barua. A romance started although Barua, hailing from the native Indian state of Gauripur, Assam, was already twice married. As the actress, who was to play Parbati in Barua's next venture Devdas (1935) reported inability to attend the studio on the very first day of shooting, Jamuna was called from Barua's residence (she was living with him by then) and was asked to get down to work stright away without any preparation whatsoever. Thus she came to be the first Parbati of Indian talkies- Miss Light had played the role in the silent vertion of the enormously popular Sarat Chandra novel. Aishwarya Rai happens to the last so far and Devdas has been made and re-made a number of times. Jamuna played the same role in the Hindi version also and was accepted in this very first proper exposure as an actress in her own right. She continued to act in Barua's films like Grihadaha (1936), Maya (1936), Adhikar (1939), Uttarayan (1941), Shesh Uttar (1942), Chander Kalanka (1944)and the respective Hindi versions of each film. Barua had left the prestigious New Theatres in 1940 and was directing as well as producing his films. Thereafter she acted in a number of Barua directed Hindi movies like Amiree, Pehchan and Iran Ki Ek Raat. These films however did not add to the prestige of either to Barua or to Jamuna and are better forgotten. Jamuna also acted outside Barua direction in three Bengali films Debar (1943) and Nilanguriya (1943) where she proved herself without Barua's influence. Her last film Malancha (1953) was also outside Barua's direction. She also starred in its hindi version Phulwari (1953). Barua's untimely death in 1951 when he was only 48 changed Jamuna's life altogether. She had three sons by Barua, Deb Kumar, Rajat and Prasun. They were all minors at the time and the Gauripur estate refused to take any of their responsibilities. She had to wage a legal battle with the powerful and influential royal family to get her and her children's dues and recognition. Time settled the matters and she was allowed ownership of the house with its vast adjoining land and also an allowance. Jamuna spent the rest of her life after Barua as a housewife, busy in bringing up her minor sons. She had to complete the unfinished film Malancha of course but said good bye to the world soon after. Later in her life she did attend a number of functions to celebrate the centennary year of husband P.C.Barua and recived felicitations on behalf of the Goverment of India and the state Government of Assam as the first Parbati of Indian talkies. Her last days were not very comfortable and she was bedridden for more than six months prior to her death. Her death totally snapped the ties with the thirties. No other Indian actress of her time and calibre is alive today. She is survived by her three sons and their families and a host of relatives and admirers.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
He was one of the finest character actors in Bengali Film Industry. He was versatile and portrayed roles ranging from villain, comedian and main lead with élan. His most memorable roles were in movies like "Marutirtha Hinglaj", "Arogya Niketan", "Uttar Falguni", "Chele kaar", just to name a few. He was active in commercial theater in Bengali as well. When he was acted in a play called '42', as pre-independence Indian ruthless police officer under British rule, audience thrown shoes at him during the play. He said it was his greatest award that people so much moved by his acting, got angry and thrown shoes. He along with Tulsi Chakraborty, took Bengali cinema a high during 60's and 70's. Bikash Roy will be remembered for ever for his finest acting skills and as a true gentleman.- Actress
- Producer
Kajal Gupta was born on 8 January 1936 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. She was an actress and producer, known for Marjina Abdulla (1972), Agnishwar (1975) and Jotugriha (1964). She was married to Dinen Gupta. She died on 22 October 1996 in Calcutta [now Kolkata], West Bengal, India.- Actor
- Music Department
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Pahadi Sanyal was born on 22 February 1906 in Darjeeling, Bengal Presidency, British India [now Darjeeling, West Bengal, India]. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Sapurey (1939), Maya (1936) and Maya (1936). He died on 10 February 1974 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Actress
- Music Department
Chandrabati Devi was born on 19 October 1909 in Bihar, India. She was an actress, known for Karnarjun (1941), Meerabai (1933) and Suktara (1940). She was married to Bimal Pal. She died on 29 April 1992 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Director
- Cinematographer
- Writer
Ajoy Kar was born on 27 March 1914 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a director and cinematographer, known for Saptapadi (1961), Harano Sur (1957) and Jighansa (1951). He died on 25 January 1985 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Writer
- Director
- Music Department
Premendra Mitra was born in 1904 in Benares, Benares State, British India [now India]. He was a writer and director, known for Hanabari (1952), Samadhan (1943) and Rajlaxmi (1945). He died on 2 May 1988 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Sukanta Bhattacharya was born on 15 August 1926 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sukanta was a writer, known for Komal Gandhar (1961). Sukanta died on 13 May 1947 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.
- Tripti Mitra was born on 25 October 1925 in Dinajpur, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Dinajpur, Bangladesh]. She was an actress, known for Reason, Debate and a Story (1974), Gopinath (1948) and Pathik (1953). She was married to Sombhu Mitra. She died on 24 May 1989 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Pramathesh Chandra Barua was a famous actor, director, and screenwriter of Indian films in the pre-independence era, born in Gauripur.
Barua was the son of the Zamindar of Gauripur, Assam, where he was born and spent his childhood. He studied at Hare School, Calcutta and then Bachelor of Science graduated from Presidency College, Calcutta in 1924. At the age of only 18, while still studying in college, he got married. It was arranged by the family. He had two more marriages. His third wife was film actress Jamuna Barua. After his graduation, he travelled to Europe, where he received his first exposure to films. After returning, he served for a time in the Assam Legislative Assemblyand joined the Swaraj Party but ultimately moved to Calcutta and later began a career in films, much to the chagrin of his father.
Barua made a small investment in Dhirendra Nath Ganguly's Indo British Film Co, and also worked for him as an actor. He then went to Europe for a second time, observing production of movies in London. After purchasing some lighting equipment in Paris, he returned to India and established Barua Pictures Limited. The studio's first major project was Apradhi in 1931, a silent film that starred Barua and was directed by Debaki Bose. The film became a critical success, and Barua went on to play the villain in Bhagyalaxmi (1932), directed by Dhiren Ganguly. Barua later hired Ganguly when British Dominion Films failed, and the two of them, along with Debaki Bose, then joined New Theatres. Barua's breakthrough with New Theatres came with Devdas in 1935. The film was first made in Bengali, with Barua himself in the title role; he then remade it in Hindi as the 1936 film Devdas, with K.L. Saigal as the leading man. The Hindi version became a craze all throughout India; it cemented Barua as a top-notch director and Saigal as the top-notch hero of Indian films.The Devdas (Assamese) was Barua's last of three language versions. Barua followed up Devdas with Manzil in 1936, Mukti in 1937, Adhikar in 1938, Rajat Jayanti in 1939, and Zindagi (which reunited him with Saigal) in 1940. Phani Majumdarwho later became a noted film director in his own right, started his film career with Barua at New Theatres. Barua's films were photographed by Bimal Roy, who would later become an accomplished director in his own right. Barua left New Theatres in 1939 and freelanced thereafter. However, of his post-New Theatres films, only Shesh Uttar/Jawab (1942) stood out. He planned an Indian version of The Way of All Flesh, but it never materialised. He took to drinking heavily, and his health began to decline; he died in 1951.- Hiralal Sen is known as the first film maker in the Indian sub-continent. He was born in Manikgonj near Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was the son of a famous lawyer and from a Zamindar family. He grew up in Kolkata. In 1898, a film troupe en route to Paris screened a certain Professor Stevenson's short film along with the stage show, The Flower of Persia at the Star Theatre in Calcutta. Borrowing Stevenson's camera, Sen made his first film, "A Dancing Scene" from the opera The Flower of Persia. With assistance from his brother, Motilal Sen, he bought an Urban Bioscope from Charles Urban's Warwick Trading Company in London. In the following year, with his brother, he formed the Royal Bioscope company.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Krishna Chandra Dey was born in 1893 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor and composer, known for Bhagya Chakra (1935), Chandidas (1932) and Dhoop Chhaon (1935). He was married to Takak Bala. He died on 28 November 1962 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Composer
- Music Department
- Writer
Jyotirindra Moitra was born in 1911. Jyotirindra was a composer and writer, known for The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Komal Gandhar (1961) and Charulata (1964). Jyotirindra died on 26 October 1977 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Sukumar Ray was born on 30 October 1887 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sukumar died on 10 September 1923 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Granddaughter of Brahmakesari Keshab Chandra Sen, Sadhona was born in a prosperous Brahmo family and received education as was common with Brahmo girls of those days. Her father was Saral Chandra Sen and she was the second of his three daughters. Her elder sister Binita was married into a royal family of Chittagong (now Bangladesh)and settled to household life, while the youngest Nilina pursued a career in Indian Classical music and earned herself a position of eminence and was known in record circles as Naina Devi. Sadhona married Madhu Bose, film maker working in Bengal, British India, at a young age, and joined the Calcutta Art Players, a theatrical company owned by husband Modhu Bose and took part as heroine in the plays produced by the unit. Later on Sadhona joined films and played Marjina in Alibaba (1937), made in Bengali under the banner of Bharatlakshmi Pictures. This film was a runaway hit and is remembered well by film enthusiasts. Modhu Bose had earlier directed a number of films but he tasted real success with Alibaba. For Sadhona this film meant a permanent place in the history of Bengali films. This was followed with Abhinoy (Bengali-1938), another major success for the couple. They migrated to Bombay and again created history with the immensely popular Kumkum (1940), made in two languages, Hindi and Bengali and thereafter went on to create the first triple version (English, Bengali, Hindi) film of India, Rajnartaki (1941). Sadhona did come back to Calcutta for a double version Bengali movie Meenakshi (1942)with the handsome Jyoti Prakash as the hero. Going back to Bombay soon after the completion of this film where she starred in major films like Shankar Parvati, Vishkanya, Paigham and others and firmly established herself as a heroine in her own right without the backing of husband Modhu Bose. In fact they had fallen quite apart by the mid forties and most unfortunately Sadhona started living much too abandoned a life heavily engaged in drinks,parties and men and slowly lost her carefully earned position. She came back to calcutta after a reconciliation with Modhu Bose but had by this time lost her magic hold over the audiences and acted in films again directed by her husband like Shesher Kabita and Maa O Chhele, without remarkable success. Sadhona was a dancer in the first place and all her film successes were in dancing roles, although she was also a very fine actress and sang her own songs in some of her films including her first Alibaba.With film offers becoming too infrequent, she formed a dance troupe of her own and made all India tours with plays like Wither now, Hunger and others and met with success again as she was bound to be as a personality trained in dancing. She passed into oblivion slowly. Even in retired life she could not part with the bottle and without any income worth the name she found herself in the most difficult conditions financially. Modhu bose was ill and it was difficult to get treatment for him. She lost her husband in 1969 and had no money to sustain herself and thereafter came the greatest tragic period of her life when she had to resort to begging in the streets, in and around Park Street of calcutta. It was during this phase of her life that passers by and street walkers came across an old lady, looking distinguished, dressed in clothes that were expensive at one time but now showing the wear and tear asking for help. Some recognised her and gave her enough to go on for some days while some others gave her a rude rebuff. She took all that with a smile. Just before her death she got appointed as dance trainer in Calcutta's prestigious Star Theatre, courtesy her one time boy friend Timir Baran. She trained junior artistes for the play Janapad Badhu and once again her name featured in the newspapers in the advertisements of the play. However, the end had come very near and she passed away in September,1973. A very tragic and unfortunate way indeed for an all India star who at a time had captured the heart and imagination of millions.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Shekhar Chatterjee was born in 1924 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor and writer, known for Marjina Abdulla (1972), Gandhi (1982) and Vasundhara (1983). He died on 6 April 1990 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Santosh Dutta was born on 2 December 1925 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor, known for Three Daughters (1961), Sonar Kella (1974) and Joi Baba Felunath: The Elephant God (1979). He died on 8 February 1988 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Actor
- Writer
- Music Department
Bijon Bhattacharya was born on 17 July 1917 in Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Faridpur, Bangladesh]. He was an actor and writer, known for Nagin (1954), Sharey Chuattar (1953) and Dharti Ke Lal (1950). He was married to Mahasweta Devi. He died on 19 January 1978 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Actress
- Music Department
Angurbala was born on the seventh day of Sravan in the Bengalee year 1313 which should be around July, 1896. According to some she was born in the village of Indas of Burdwan district of undivided Bengal while some others say that her place of birth was in the Cossipore area of Calcutta. There appears to be some confusion also regarding the name of her father who was an army officer. Some say it is Bijoli Bhushan Banerjee but some others give the name as Sudhir Kumar Banerjee. Her mother's name was Harimati. Her real name was Prabhabati while Nera was the name by which her mother called her. She received primary education in her village with scholarship showing that apart from singing and acting talents, she was also a good student as well. Nevertheless she had to quit formal education and had to join the stage and took to singing professionally at an early age for reasons of poverty. Her first training in music was from Mr. Amulya Majumder, who was a friend of her father. Later on she was given music lessons by Ustad Jeet Prasad. Khayal and Thumri lessons were provided by Ustad Ram Prasad Mishra. Ustad Jamiruddin Khan also taught her Thumris. Dance master Lalit Mohan Goswami took the little girl to Star Theatre where she could earn some money to support her family. At the same time the name of Angurbala was given to her by Lalit Goswami for the stage and in this name she went ahead in her career as a performing artiste on the stage, on the screen and last but not the least music. Her first encounter with the stage was when she was about eight under the guidance of dramatist Nripendra Chandra Basu in minor roles. Her services on the stage was necessitated in 1912 when in the Cornwallis Theatre a play Muktar Mukti failed to draw the audience in spite of Miss Kusum Kumari in the leading role. Dramatist Manilal Ganguly came to the rescue of the theatre with the idea that songs by a well trained singer could bring back the public to the stage. Thus Angurbala was cast in a singing role in the play and as anticipated there were large crowds to see her live on the stage. The song was Bhorer Pakhir Sure Sure Mathay Baje Bina Benu in raag Bharavi tuned by none other than Manilal Ganguly. Thereafter Angurbala became a regular artiste on the stage and performed in plays like Ratneswarer Mandir 1922 at the Cornwallis and Baruna 1923, Atmadarshan 1925, Satyabhama 1925, Tulsidas 1926, Byapika Biday 1926, Jug Mahatmo 1926, Nartaki 1927, Satyer Sandhane 1928 and Jatichyuta 1928 each at Minerva Theatre. At Manomohan Theatre she took part in Jahangir 1929, Shree 1929, rangapakhi 1930, Desher Dak 1930, Abhijaat 1931, Kalir Samudramanthan 1931, Bamanabataar 1933 and Shiba Shakti 1935. Angurbala also appeared in different plays at the star Theatre, Rangmahal, Kalika and other stages in Calcutta. The Gramophone Company of India started to record her songs and Kaala Tor Tarey Kadamtolay Cheye Thaki and Bandho Na Torikhani Amar E Nadikuley were her first two songs to be published as records. The record number was P 4721. Thereafter she became a regular artiste of HMV cutting innumerable discs. Many of her stage songs were also recorded by her for HMV. She also recorded a poem of Tagore tuned by an unknown person. This song Tomari Grihe Palichho Snehe has never been recognized as a Tagore song by Bishwa Bharati. 1923 was the year when her first film, a silent one Indrasabha was released. Her first talkie was Jamuna Puliney (1933) in which she played the role of Brindey. Incidentally this film also had Indubala and Kamala Jharia included in the cast. Soon she made her presence felt in singing roles in films like Radha Krishna (1933), Char Darvesh (1933), Naseeb Ka Chakkar (1936), Maa Ki Mamta (1936), Abartan (1936), Indira (1937), Devjani (1939) and several others in many different Indian languages like Urdu, Tamil and Telugu. As a record artiste her popularity hit the sky and she was specially invited by The Nizam of Hyderabad to sing in court. In one of the discs during this period, her photo was printed on one side of a record with the photo of Hyderabad's Nizam on the other. That was the extent she impressed the Nizam with her songs and earned his respect. Her stage performances continued at the same time and her songs were a source of major attraction for all those who queued up for tickets of the plays. For the radio she started to sing from the very first day broadcasting was started. Her first song over the radio was Nithura Nagara Shyam. Her association with Najrul Islam broadened her field and she recorded several songs of Nazrul gradually achieving not only the status of a major exponent of such songs but also an authority in the subject. She quit acting long back but never lost touch with music which was her first love. Apart from a Gold disc from HMV, she was given the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award from Delhi and honorary D.Litt from Kalyani University. Angurbala was popularly known as Sangeet Samragyee or empress of the Music World along with contemporary artiste Miss Indubala, who was also her close personal friend. A documentary film, titled Teen Kanya featuring her along with two other artistes namely Indubala and Kamala Jharia_ was made in 1972. She was appointed Nazrul music trainer by HMV and trained artistes like Manabendra Mukherjee and others in Nazrul songs. Even in advanced age she participated in music functions and gave public performances. Angurbala had a younger sister who looked after her in her old age. Her name for the stage was Bedanabala. Angurbala had two houses in Calcutta. One of them, bought when she was at the height of her career was named Drakhshakunja by dramatist Amrita Lal Bose. This house still stands at Durga Charan Mitra Street of North Calcutta. About eighteen months before her death she suffered from a stroke that caused loss of memory. The end came on the seventh day of January, 1984. Her foster son Mr Amal Banerjee and his wife were present when she breathed her last.- Although her usual place of work has always been Calcutta, Rajlakshmi was born in Meerut in the then Northern Provinces of India in 1902. She received training in music and dance before joining the professional stage in Calcutta in 1930. The play was Grihaprabesh by Tagore. From then on she became a regular actress of the Bengali stage and finally joined films, her first movie being Palli Samaj (1932). She carried on as a successful stage actress and also took part as a character artiste in films and went on to act in over two hundred films in different languages like Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Assameseetc. On the stage she came in contact with the legendary Sisir Kumar Bhaduri under whose training she performed in a great number of plays and in films she was mainly chosen for comic as well as villanous roles. As a person she was known in her circle as a most caring and gentle woman, loved by all. She met with a car accident while returning from outdoor shooting of a Bengali film Jiban Jignasa (1971)and although she made a recovery it was never complete and she suffered from anaemia thereafter and kept indifferent health till the end on the 26th day of May, 1972.
- Writer
- Director
Haridas Bhattacharya was born on 17 February 1920 in Burma. Haridas was a writer and director, known for Andhare Alo (1957), Sesh Anka (1963) and Naba Bidhan (1954). Haridas was married to Kanan Devi. Haridas died on 7 September 2005 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Uday Shankar was born on 8 December 1900 in Udaipur, British India. He was a director and actor, known for Kalpana (1948). He was married to Amala Shankar. He died on 26 September 1977 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Gyan Mukherjee was born on 30 September 1909 in Benares, Benares State, British India. He was a director and writer, known for Jhoola (1941), Kismet (1943) and Sangram (1950). He died on 13 November 1956 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Actress
- Music Department
Binota Basu was born in a Brahma family in 1925 on Kojagari Lakshmi Purnima Tithi and was therefore called Lakshmi. Her father Satya Sundar Basu was an advocate in Patna High court. Binota was one of his six daughters. Satya Sundar was a lawyer by profession but his music was his first love and after court hours his routine was to sing and play musical instruments like the Sitar, the organ and many others. Binota's mother was a good singer too. So Binota had music in her blood and she entered films as a playback artiste in Dikshul (1943). Raichand Boral had introduced her to Pankaj Kumar Mallick, the music director of the film. This happened after the family shifted to Calcutta. While in Calcutta, Binota along with her sisters came in close touch with cousin Chinmohan Sehanbish , who in turn introduced them to the legendary Debabrata Biswas from whom Binota got some early training in music. Under Raichand Boral's guidance her first major success was in Wapas (1943), where she sang "Albela Mastana", "Jeevan Hai Bekar" and "Bhool Na Jana". All the songs became popular. The next year Binota became a star with her acting and singing in Bimal Roy's Udayer Pathey (1944) and with the Hindi version Humrahi got an all India exposure. Her popularity touched the sky but soon she got married to Jyotirmoy Roy, who had written the story of Udayer Pathey. After marriage she was allowed to work mostly in films associated with her husband. These included Abhijatri (1947), Diner Parey Din (1949), Shankhabani (1951), Nagardola (1956), Taka Ana Pai (1956), Kancha Mithhey (1957).In Abhijatri she was paired with her first hero Radhamohan Bhattacharya again. After her husband's death in 1961 she withdrew from the film world but came back later to give memorable performances as character artiste in Tapan Sinha's Jatugriha (1964), Mrinal Sen's Calcutta 71 (1971), Chhayateer (1972) and finally Hangsharaj (1976). She won the best actress and best supporting actress awards from the prestigious Bengal Film Journalists' Association a number of times. Binota Roy was inspired to write by her writer husband. She is credited with several short stories which were published in popular Bengali magazines. A collection of her stories was first published as a book titled Mayamukur in 1964. Binota Roy died on the twenty eighth day of July, 1978 and was survived by sons Ramya and Samya and daughter Suchita.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Kanan Devi was born in 1916 in Howrah, Bengal Presidency, British India. She was an actress and producer, known for Haar Jeet (1940), Parajay (1939) and Abhinetri (1940). She was married to Haridas Bhattacharya and Maitra, Ashok. She died on 17 July 1992 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Actress
- Music Department
Indubala's mother was Rajabala, who along with sister Matibala and brother Tinkary worked in Motilal Bose's The Great Bengal Circus, also known as Bose's Circus or Professor Bose's Circus. Harimati was the eldest sister of Rajabala and had a different life. Rajabala performed mainly as a trapeze artiste and got married to Motilal Bose at a temple in Ujjain, India. At the time he was then in his forties while Rajabala was still a teenager. The marriage was never accepted as legal by Motilal's family. Motilal Bose's first wife was Mrs. Annadamohini Devi. Indubala was born in Novenber, 1899 at Amritsar, where the circus party had gone for performance. Indu was born premature and Dr. Bidhumukhi Basu was taken to Amritsar from Calcutta to attend to Rajabala. Such was the affection and concern of the husband for his young wife. Motilal's interest in Rajabala dwindled later, supposedly because Rajabala showed no interest in going back to the circus after Indu's birth and soon she was left to fend for herself. She came to Calcutta with her daughter and was given shelter by a Jiban Krishna Ghosh, who remained loyal to her till his death and also played a major role in establishing Indubala in her life as a performer. Once in Calcutta, Rajabala trained herself as a singer and Indubala's first training in music was from her mother. The initial plan was to train Indu as a nurse and she was admitted as a trainee in a hospital in the Pataldanga locality of Calcutta. Indu did not take fancy in the job and ran away from the hospital, much to the disappointment of her mother, who never wanted her only daughter to be forced into a life of indignity. After this incident Indubala's musical training started. Although her father ignored wife Rajabala completely, he remained fond of his daughter and kept in touch with her and often invited her to his ancestral home where he lived during his brief visits to Calcutta and sent her a monthly pocket money of Rupees twenty till his death. Indubala's first performance was at a gathering of distinguished guests where her mother was the chief entertainer. Each one of the guests appreciated Indu's singing and thus began her formal training from Gouri Shankar Mishraji. Indu was only about twelve then. This also marked the entry of Indubala into the red light world. Amongst her trainers were Kali Prasad Mishra, Elaahi Bux and Miss Gauhar Jaan. Apart from music, Miss Gauhar Jaan, credited as Prima Donna of India, Indu also learned etiquette from the elder artiste and developed a close friendship with her. This association provided Indu with valuable musical knowledge and experience.
In later years she took training from Girin Chakraborty, Kamal Dasgupta, Subal Dasgupta, Jamiruddin Khan and Kazi Nazrul Islam. In time she came to be one of the major exponents of Nazrul songs and her songs along with those of Miss Angurbala and Kamala Jharia are still referred to for authenticity of lyrics and tunes of Nazrul songs. In 1916, Indubala recorded her first songs. She was brought into the record circle by Bhagabati Charan Bhattacharya and Mr. Manindra Nath Ghosh, alias Mantababu, himself a gramophone singer of repute. The first songs published as record were Asha Phuraye Gelo, Sindhu Khambaj and Aar Mukhey Boley Ki Hobey, Kedara. The record number was P 4306. In the beginning she did not take any money from the Gramophone Company and as such was credited in the records as Miss Indubala (Amateur). She was not the first amateur artiste of the company but enjoyed the privilege of announcing her name at the end of each song saying "My name is Indubala". The amateur status continued for a fairly long period. Later on she received Rupees two hundred per record and also received a royalty of five per cent over the sales. Her first songs of Nazrul on the disc were "Cheyona Sunayana" and "Rumjhum Rumjhum Ke Eley Nupur Paye". The record number was P 11661. To Indubala also goes the credit of being the first Bengali artiste to record Hindustani songs for the Gramophone Company. For the Indian State Broadcasting Center, later named All India Radio, Indubala first sang on the second day of the radio company's broadcasting in 1927 in Calcutta and went on singing in this medium for nearly fifty years. Over the radio, Indubala sang not only from Calcutta but from several other stations by special invitation all over India. Apart from discs and the radio, Indubala was well established by the thirties in cultural functions all over India. Frequent invitations used to come from Shahjahanpur, Pakur, Madras, Bangalore, Palanpur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Oudh, Trivandrum, Vizagapattam, Ajmer, Qoembatore, Dacca and several other places. In 1936 she was appointed court musician to His Highness, The Maharajah of Mysore. She received a monthly salary of Rupees two hundred and fifty and this continued till the time when the native princes faced withdrawal of privy purse. In all Indubala had recorded some two hundred and eighty songs, including about two hundred forty basic songs, the rest being from films. Indubala's first stage appearance was in The Rambagan Female Kali Theatre, established by her mother Rajabala in 1922. Both mother and daughter took part in the plays and Indubala appeared in about twelve plays in this short-lived company which lasted for only two years and in 1924 she joined Calcutta's most prestigious stage, The Star Theatre. She continued to appear on the stage mainly in singing roles and her songs were a major attraction in each of the plays. By rotation she acted in all the public theaters of Calcutta and even took part in the Hindi Parsee Theatre in 1945 and 1946, the plays being Ghar Ki Laaj and Jasoos. Her last appearance in the public stage was in the play Prithviraj in the role of Mehga at Star Theatre in 1950. Thereafter she worked in call shows till almost 1958. Jamuna Puliney (1933) has been credited as her first film. This is probably because this was her first film contract although Ankh Ka Tara (1932) released before Jamuna Puliney. In all she acted in about forty eight films in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil languages. In most of them, she had songs as a major attraction or else did comic roles as in Bengali Indira (1937) and Hindi Deewali (1940) to name a few. She did the role of Dhai Ma in both the versions of Swamsidhha (1947). Thereafter she was not seen on the screen. As a playback singer she lent her voice in films like Alibaba (1937), Chandragupt (1934) in Hindi, Ab E Hayat (1933) in Urdu and Dil Ki Pyaas (1935) also in Urdu. She did not act in these four films. Indubala did not receive any major award apart from the Gold Disc given on behalf of His Master's Voice. The government of India never considered her name for any award. The Sangeet Natak Academy however honoured her with a lifetime achievement award in 1975. The government of West Bengal, India however did arrange for a pension for which a lot of running about had to be done. In personal life, Indubala was most humble and polite and bold in her behavior and was never ashamed to admit or discuss her origin. Even when established as a major singing artiste with an all India fame, she refused to move out to a respectable place leaving her residence in Rambagan, a notorious red light area of Calcutta. Indubala was got herself involved in voluntary work for the uplift of fallen women and worked actively for their rights in society through various organizations, which were patronized by top political leaders of the time. She had some interesting hobbies like writing poetry and collecting perfumes. Even at old age all the empty perfume bottles were kept within her view. She was fond of jewelery too and had a great collection, either purchased or gifted by admirers. These valuables vanished when she was too unwell to keep track of them. Her contemporary artiste Miss Angurbala was a close friend with whom she confided and shared the joys and sorrows of life and this friendship lasted till the very end. Indubala adopted a nephew of her mother's friend Jiban Krishna Ghosh. The boy's name was Pranab Ghosh. This foster son did not look after her mother very much when in old age Indubala suffered from conditions like cataract and then paralytic stokes. It was Dr. Badan Sengupta who made necessary arrangement for her treatment She could not afford nursing homes and therefore was treated at state government hospitals in all occasions of illness. The end came on the thirtieth day of November, 1984 after a prolonged illness during which again Dr. Badhan Sengupta looked after her as his own mother. Perhaps by coincidence her friend Angurbala died the same year.- Actor
- Music Department
Jahar Roy was born on 19 September 1919 in Barishal, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor, known for Thana Theke Aschi (1965), Sharey Chuattar (1953) and Ghoom Bhangar Gaan (1965). He died on 11 August 1977 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Devi Mukherjee was born on 27 January 1916 in Chapra, Bihar, India. He was an actor, known for Hamrahi (1944), Udayer Pathey (1944) and Bhabhi Kaal (1945). He was married to Sumitra Devi. He died on 10 December 1947 in Calcutta, Bengal, British India.
- Kamal Mitra was born on 9 December 1912 in Burdwan, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor, known for Parineeta (1969), Jighansa (1951) and Sabar Uparey (1955). He died on 2 August 1993 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Music Department
Sagar Sen was born on 15 May 1932 in Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Faridpur, Bangladesh]. He is known for Paka Dekha (1980), Mantramugdha (1977) and Debika (1987). He died on 4 January 1983 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.