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1-50 of 115
- 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."- 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.
- 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
- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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.- 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].- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.
- Actress
- Music Department
Molina Devi was born in 1916. She was an actress, known for Abhagin (1938), Badi Didi (1939) and Bindur Chheley (1952). She was married to Jolu Boral and Gurudas Bannerjee. She died on 13 August 1977 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- 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.- 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.
- 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.- 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.- Writer
- Music Department
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was born on 26 June 1838 in Kathalpara, Naihati, Bengal Presidency, British India. Bankim Chandra was a writer, known for Krishnakanter Will (1926), Bisha Brikshya (1928) and Bishabriksha (1922). Bankim Chandra died on 8 April 1894 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British 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.- Writer
- Director
Nihar Ranjan Gupta was born on 6 June 1911 in Jessore, Eastern Bengal and Assam, British India. Nihar Ranjan was a writer and director, known for Mamta (1966), Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) and Tapasi (1965). Nihar Ranjan died on 20 February 1986 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
- 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.- 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.
- 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.- 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
- 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.- 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.- Writer
- Music Department
- Director
Tarashankar Banerjee was born on 23 July 1898 in Labhpur, Bengal Presidency, British India. Tarashankar was a writer and director, known for The Music Room (1958), Saptapadi (1961) and Bipasha (1962). Tarashankar died on 14 September 1971 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.- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Hiren Bose was born on 26 September 1903 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a director and actor, known for Chup (1931), Bhakta Jayadeva (1938) and Meerabai (1933). He died on 18 June 1987 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Actress
- Music Department
A major stage and film actress of Bengal, Ranibala's origin, like that of most of her contemporaries was in the red light areas of Calcutta. She entered films with Bilwamangal in 1933 and played heroine (Chintamani) in her very first appearance. Her sweet voice made her an automatic choice for singing roles in films as well as the stage. Her films included Bekar Nashan, Gora (1938), Sarbajanin Bibahotsab (1938), Haranidhi, Taruni (1934), Prafulla, Talkie of Talkies (1937) to name a few. Towards the end of her career, Satyajit Ray took her services for _Aparajito (1957)_ and The Philosopher's Stone (1958), the latter being her last major work where she also sang for herself. Ranibala has a good number of gramophone records to her credit. She died young in 1956 when she was only 42. Apart from being a remarkable actress and singer, she is remembered for her warm and friendly nature.- Music Department
Suprabha Ghosh was born on the 25th of September, 1919. Her father was Upendranath Ghosh and her mother Champaknalini. Suprabha's first training in music was from her parents, both music lovers. Champaknalini gave her lessons in devotional songs. Formal training started from Dhrupadia Shishir Guha and thereafter from Tarapada Chakraborty. Her entry into music world as a professional happened when she was only thirteen, with her participation in Galpadadur Asar in All India Radio, Calcutta. In the forties she was a regular in the live early morning programme Mahishashurmardini from A.I.R. and her association with the radio was almost life long. In the last years of her life Suprabha Sarkar was associated as trainer of Nazrul songs. In 1942, Suprabha Ghosh got married to Advocate Sudhir Chandra Sarkar but unlike many singers of her time Suprabha did not have to quit singing after marriage even after becoming the mother of two sons. 1942 onwards all her records carried the name Suprabha Sarkar. Her first gramophone record was published from Senola Musical Products Company in February, 1936. The record number was QS 47 and the songs were Jadi Swapan Bhange Aji Nayan Jale, lyric by Hashirashi Devi and Alor Desher Bandhu He Mor, lyric by Batakrishna Dey. Both songs were set to tune by Nitai Ghatak. Several basic discs were published from Senola before she joined Hindusthan Musical Products as their regular artiste in June, 1938. From 1937 to April 1938, Suprabha recorded some songs for the short lived Bharatbani Records, a sister concern of Hindusthan, under the names Anjana Sarkar and Anuradha Ghosh. This was probably necessitated due to Suprabha's existing contract with Senola. As Anuradha Ghosh, she took part to sing and act in a one disc record play Bhorer Ashru, published from Bharatbani. Primarily an artiste of Hindusthan, Suprabha was invited by HMV and recorded two basic songs in 1953 with Hemanta Mukherjee as her trainer and two more in 1955 under Shyamal Mitra's guidance. In 1959 and then the next year, Suprabha sang for Megaphone Company as well. In 1949, Suprabha Sarkar turned composer and set to tune Rodana Tomar and Jibane Amar Na Bola Katha, both written by Manik Basu. However, after this she never did the job of music direction. Suprabha's association with Kaji Nazrul Islam dates back to the days of making of the N.T. film Sapurey (1939). Kaji Nazrul took great interest in Suprabha's work and the result was the evergreen Kaberi Nadijale Ke Go Balika published in January, 1941 with Mor Pratham Moner Mukul on the reverse from Hindusthan, the record number being H 876. Suprabha went on to become one of the leading exponents of Nazrul songs. She also recorded Tagore songs which became very popular. In films, Suprabha's first solo singing was for Leela Desai in Jiban Maran (1939). Only one song of Suprabha, Kabhu Je Ashay Kabhu Nirashay came out as a record from Hindusthan with Ei Peyechhi Anal Jwala of Kundan Lal Saigal on the reverse. Earlier, in 1935, Suprabha had the historic opportunity to sing in the first playback song in Indian films along with Parul Biswas and Miss Harimati in Bhagyachakra (1935), the song being Mora Pulak Jachi Tabu Sukh Na Mani and the Hindi version Dhoop Chhayon (1935), the song Main Khush Hona Chahoon. Some research workers give the name of Umashashi as one of the singers. The other singers in this quite long song were Krishna Chandra Dey and Ahi Sanyal. Their names as playback singers have not been included probably because they sang for themselves. The popularity of the Jiban Maran (1939) song gave Suprabha Sarkar a permanent place in Bengal's playback singing. Kundan Lal Saigal was so moved by her voice that he presented a harmonium to her. A very precious gift indeed and Suprabha preserved the instrument and used it all her life. Her voice was used by all the leading music directors in films like Shuktara (1940), Shapmukti (1940), Rajnartaki (1941), Aparadh (1942), Aahuti (1941), Kato Dur (1945), Pather Sathi (1946), Swapna O Sadhana (1947), Abhijog (1947), Swayam Siddha (1947), Natun Khabar (1947), Samapti, Dhatri Debata (1948), Anjangarh (1948), Sadharan Meye (1948), Priyatama (1948), Kalo Ghora (1948), Shyamaler Swapna (1948), Satero Bachhar Pare (1949), Niruddesh (1949), Singhadwar (1949), Jar Jetha Ghar (1949), Samarpan (1949), Cartoon (1949), Samapti (1949), Radharani (1950), Indira (1950), Sharey Chuattar (1954), Ma (1956), Paradhin (1956) to name a few. Others like Radharani, Ila Ghosh, Shaila Devi, Anima Sengupta were all at their best but Suprabha continued to be artiste most sought after for films. In the sixties, slowly she went out of the record world. Mid fifties saw the rise of newer stars in the music world and the inevitable happened and new talents tended to replace the old. Suprabha got less work for films and basic discs and she withdrew herself from the show business. However she could never detach herself from music and continued to serve as a teacher in institutions like Rabindra Bharati University, Surtirtha Sangeet Bidyalay and above all All India Radio where she was appointed trainer of Nazrul songs. Apart from official associations, she gave regular music lessons to a host of students. Jovial by nature, Suprabha Sarkar was also famous for her short temper. However, she was popular with her colleagues and juniors and was Bardi , meaning elder sister, to all. In the seventies, Suprabha Sarkar was interviwed on television by poet Pulak Bandyopadhyay. She rendered several songs, some in bits and some full showing what control she had over her voice even at that age. She breathed her last on 23rd of September, 1989.- Modi Cohen was born on 23 June 1941 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor, known for Sagina (1974) and Nawab Sirajuddaula (1967). He died on 16 December 2015 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
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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.- Composer
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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.- Music Department
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Mohini Choudhury was born on 5 September 1920 in Kotalipara, Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India. She was a director and writer, known for Sadhana (1956), Shri Swapankumarer Badami Hyenar Kobole (2024) and Nayika Sangbad (1967). She died on 21 May 1987 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was born on 26 September 1820 in Birsingha, Bengal Province, British India. Ishwar Chandra was a writer, known for Bhranti Bilas (1963). Ishwar Chandra died on 29 July 1891 in Calcutta, Bengal Province, British India.
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Kamala Jharia's real name was Kamala Singha. She lived in the palace of the Maharaja of Jharia (now in Dhanbad district, coal capital of India, Jharkhand state, India). Her parents probably worked in the palace in some capacity. The surname Singha is common in several Hindi speaking northern and north western states of India as also in Bengal but there is no doubt that she was a Bengalee by birth. Mr K. Mallick (real name was Qamal Malik) who at the time was a very popular gramophone singer, was invited to the palace to sing at the court of Maharaja Shiva Prasad on the occasion of his marriage. The Maharaja was so pleased with K. Mallick's performance that he appointed him court singer in Jharia. K Mallick had to stay back at Jharia for sometime during which he discovered Kamala's musical talent and brought her to Calcutta and introduced her to HMV authorities. Kamala recorded four songs for HMV and went back to Jharia. She was paid sixty five Rupees only for the four songs. Her first published record was a red label one, numbered N 3137 in 1930. The songs were a) Priya Jeno Prem Bhulo Na, a Ghazal and b) Nithur Nayan Baan Keno Hano, a Dadra. Lyricist for both the songs was _Dhiren Das_. The authorities had some problem in naming the artiste. They knew her name but not her surname. They could not credit her as Miss Kamala because there was already one singer of the same name. Finally it was decided to identify her as Miss Kamala (Jharia) keeping in mind her then usual place of residence and thus began her illustrious musical career. Her formal training in music was from giants like a) Ujir Khan for Thumris, Ghazals and Indian classical b) Jamiruddin Khan c) K. Mallick d) Mr Satish Ghosh and Shrinath Das Nandi, to whom she formally performed the Nara Bandhan and became a regular student. Later, she came in contact with Kaji Nazrul Islam and Tulsi Lahiri, who was a film director, producer, lyricist and music director in fact he was a very colorful personality with his talent spread over a wide field. Later, Kamala Jharia became closely associated with Tulsi Lahiri in her personal life and lived with him as his wife. Kamala became a regular artiste of HMV and sister concern Twin records though she was later shifted to Megaphone Company along with her mentor Tulsi Lahiri but this was part of a purely business arrangement between HMV and Megaphone. Other recording companies like Pioneer, Senola, Columbia also published her songs. She joined films in 1933 and her first bengali film was Jamuna Puliney (1933), which happened to be the first sound films of _Angurbala_ and _ Indubala actress Kanhopatra (1937)_ as well. Apart from Bengali, she used to sing in Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Punjabi, Gujrati and many other Indian languages and at that period no other artiste would sing in so many different languages which explains her all India status and popularity. One of her lofty achievements was Bengali devotional songs like Kirtans and Ramprasadi. Songs like Katara Radhika Dekhiya Adhika, Maa Howa Ki Mukher Katha, Kanu Kahe Rai Kahitey Darai (Chandidas) are remembered today. She acted in films like in Mantra Shakti (1935), _Thikadaar(1940)_, _Sonar Sangsar(1936)_, Bijoyini (1941), Bangalee (1936), Tarubala (1936), Night Bird (1934), Step Mother (1935), Devjani (1939), Pataal Puri (1935), Mastuto Bhai (1934), Blood Feuds (1931) and other films. As a playback artiste she lent her voice for the heroine Madhavi in the Urdu film _Selima(1935)_ directed by _Modhu Bose_. Her singing career spanned over three decades. Kamala was associated with All India radio from the time of its inception as a singer. In 1976, The Gramophone Company of India honoured her with a Gold Disc, as a mark of lifetime achievement. She was attached to the radio from the very beginning of her career and also made several tours all over India singing at the durbars of different native princes. In 1977, during the celebration of the golden jubilee of All India Radio, she was felicitated as one of the living artistes who had taken part from the beginning of All India Radio. Mr Lal Krishna Advani, then minister for information and broadcasting, graced the occasion by his presence. She was very unwell and had to be helped by two escorts on the dais. _Angurbala_ was also present and rendered the same song as she had done on the first day of the radio company's broadcasting. This was Kamala's last public appearance. The third of the trio, _Indubala_ was too ill at the time to attend. A documentary titled "Teen Kanya" was made on the lives and achievements of the three in 1972 and all the three artistes were present on the first day of the film's screening. Among those present on the occasion were _Satyajit Ray_ and Hritwik Ghatak. Kamala Jharia suffered from chronic asthma for a long time and passed away on the 20th day of December, 1979.- 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.
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Modhu Bose was born on 12 February 1900 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a director and actor, known for Alibaba (1937), Michael Madhusudhan (1950) and The Court Dancer: Raj Narkati (1941). He was married to Sadhona Bose. He died on 25 September 1969 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.
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The first graduate woman to enter the Bengal stage was Kankabati Sahu, daughter of a landlord Gangadhar Prasad Sahu. She was born in May, 1903 in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The father was a man of modern outlook and sent his two daughters Kankabati and Chandrabati to Calcutta for education. As a student Kankabati got an opportunity to visit Raindra Nath Tagore at his Jorasanko residence and sang Tagore's Ei Lahinu Sanga Taba before him. This led to her good fortune to get lessons in music and acting from Tagore himself. In her college days Kankabati took part in cultural activities within college campus as a singer and as an actress. After graduation, Kankabati entered the university for her M.A. degree but at the same time expressed her desire to enter the professional stage and her father agreed readily. Accordingly, in 1928, she signed a contract with Art Theatres whereby she would be their exclusive artiste for three years although she would get a salary only after three months of training, Rupees three hundred a month in the first year, then four hundred a month during the second year and finally five hundred a month in the third year of the contract. The announcement of her stage entry in the newspapers and magazines caused a lot of excitement and rumbling because since 1873, when women first entered the professional stage in Bengal, only those from red light areas of Calcutta had taken to acting professionally. However, Kankabati broke her contract unilaterally and joined the group of the legendary Sisir Kumar Bhaduri. A court case was slapped on her and an injunction issued barring her from participating in any professional stage of Calcutta. The matter was settled out of court by theatre lovers and Kankabati was free to act on the stage and in the group of her choice. Mud slinging and juicy articles did not stop at that and acid remarks about the actress who had gained "fame" and name even without appearing once on the stage continued and leading figures of the field showed undue interest and questioned when the debut of the "famous actress" would actually happen. Her educational qualifications led learned persons to remark that they did not believe that a university degree did not mean that she could be a good artiste. Sisir Kumar had to train the newcomer in haste and gave her a singing role, that of Bharatnari in his play Digbijoyi and in the first week of February, 1929 Kankabati first appeared before the public on the stage. There was naturally a tremendous rush at the theatre to witness her performance and Kankabati passed with distinction specially because she received support for her role in the songs, more so for the Tagore songs. Her entry on the stage singing Tagore's Gram Chhara Oi Ranga Matir Path was greeted with great enthusiasm by the audience. In her first play Digbijoyi , Kankabati had renowned stage personalities like Biswanath Bhaduri, Charushila, Jiban Ganguly, Rabi Ray, Harisundari Blackie and above all Sisir Kumar as co-stars. During this time Kankabati became close in personal life to Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and the duo went on to produce one success after another in the forthcoming years. These included Basantaleela and Tagore's Bisarjan where Kankabati played male characters. These were followed with Buddhadeb Charit as Goutami, Alamgir, Bibaha Bibhrat as Bilasini Karfarma, Pally Samaj as Jethaima, Tapati as Bipasha, Shesh Rakhsha, Sree Sree Bishnupriya as Sachimata, Gairik Pataka as Jijabai, Mahaprasthan as Gandhari and Rukmini, Rizia, Nadir Shah, Abhimanini as Bala, Sita in different characters, Chirakumar Sabha as Nirabala, Biraj Bou, Sarama as Mandodori, Dasher Dabi as Sujata, Bijoya in the title role, Reetimata Natak as Swagata, in the title role, Jogajog as Kumudini, to name a few. Sisir Kumar Bhaduri's team got an invitation to perform in the United States and Kankabati along with the entire group left for New York on the 30th of September via Karachi and returned in March 1931. This foreign trip remained somewhat unsuccessful for the troupe but along with Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and Parbhadevi , Kankabati managed to earn critical appreciation. The failure of the foreign trip devastated Sisir Kumar and he became increasingly dependent on alcohol. This affected the stage performances of his wife also and Kankabati was criticized for many of her performances after this trip. Kankabati first appeared on the screen in the silent film Bicharak (1928) based on a story by Tagore in the role of Khiroda. In sound films her most important work were in Palli Samaj (1932) as Jethaima, Seeta (1933) as Seeta and Talkie of Talkies (1937) as Swagata. She had completed about half the shooting for Sisir Kumar Bhaduri's film Chanakya (1939) in the role of Mura, when she suffered from an attack of meningitis and was admitted at the Carmichael Medical College in Calcutta where she breathed her last on 21st June, 1939 leaving behind Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and their two children, a son and a daughter. Her one regret at death bed was that she could not rid her husband Sisir Kumar of alcohol. Her portion in Chanakya (1939) was not scrapped but the remaining part was completed by Rajlakshmi Devi.- Director
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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.- Director
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Debaki Kumar Bose was born on 25 November 1898 in Burdwan, Bengal, British India [now India]. He was a director and writer, known for Sagar Sangamey (1959), Bhagaban Shrikrishna Chaitanya (1953) and Seeta (1934). He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.