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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.- 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
- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.- 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.
- 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.
- 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.- 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
- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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.- 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.- 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.- 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.
- Dhiren Dey was born in 1911 in Calcutta, West Bengal, British India. Dhiren died on 19 July 1993 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
- Writer
- Director
Birendra Krishna Bhadra was born on 4 August 1905 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Birendra Krishna was a writer and director, known for Subarnagolak (1981), Nishiddha Phal (1955) and Radha Krishna (2020). Birendra Krishna died on 3 November 1991 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.- 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.- Director
- Actor
- Costume Designer
Charu Roy was born on 6 September 1890 in Berhampore, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a director and actor, known for Shiraz (1928), Bigraha (1930) and Bangalee (1936). He died on 28 September 1971 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.
- 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.- 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
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.- Writer
- Producer
Manik Bandopadhaya was a Bengali writer who is regarded as one of the greatest Bengali novelists of all time. His fiction includes more than two hundred short stories and thirty-six novels such as Putul Nacher Itikotha (The Puppet's Tale), Podda Nodir Majhi (The Boatman of The Padma), Jononi (Mother), and Dibaratrir Kabbo (Poetry of the Day and Night).- 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
- 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.- 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
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.- 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.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
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.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Ahindra Choudhury was born on 6 August 1896 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor and writer, known for Vipranarayana (1937), Krishna Sakha (1927) and Krishna Sudama (1936). He died on 4 November 1974 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.- 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.- 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.- Ketaki was the youngest child of Prabhadevi, well-known actress of the Bengali stage and the screen. She entered the stage at the young age of eight as a child artiste. Still a child, she was asked to play heroine opposite her own uncle, Murari Bhaduri, when the scheduled actress did not turn up in time for the show. Since then she has played heroine on the stage and has been seen in films occasionally mostly in roles that were better left out, notable exceptions being Patalghar (2003) and Kankal (1950).
- 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.
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- Actor
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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.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Sombhu Mitra was born on 22 August 1915 in Hooghly District, Bengal Presidency, British India [now India]. He was an actor and director, known for Stay Alert (1956), Shubha Bibaha (1959) and '42 (1951). He was married to Tripti Mitra. He died on 19 May 1997 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.