Ajoy Kar (1914-85)
Bengali director and cameraman born in Calcutta. Left college to become a professional photographer (1931); assistant cameraman to Jatin Das at East India Film (1935) and cinematographer at Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta (1938). Shot over 80 features. Became director in the Sabhyasachi collective with Binoy Chatterjee (scripts), Jatin Datta (sound), Kamal Ganguly (editor), Bishnu Chakraborty (art d), Bimal Ghosh (prod. controller) and actress Kanan Devi. Signed first 3 films as Sabhyasachi. Made several films based on Rabindranath Tagore and Saratchandra Chatterjee novels. Crucial figure in reformist Bengali prose cinema of late 50s and 60s surrounding Uttam Kumar (cf. the classic Saptapadi). Founded India Film Laboratory in Calcutta (1957). Studied colour film technology in the USA (1976). Work often located on the cusp between literary respectability and broad melodrama (e.g. Malyadaan, adapting Tagore to tell the story of a dull orphan girl growing into womanhood).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1949: Ananya; Bamuner Meye; 1950: Mejdidi; 1951: Jighansa; 1954: Grihapravesh; 1955: Sajghar; Paresh; 1956: Shyamali; 1957: Bardidi; Harano Sur; 1959: Khelaghar; 1960: Suno Baro Nari; 1961: Saptapadi; 1962: Atal Jaler Ahwan; 1963: Saat Pake Bandha; Barnali; 1964: Prabhater Rang; 1966: Kanch Kata Hirey; 1969: Parineeta; 1971: Malyadaan; 1973: Kaya Hiner Kahini; 1976: Datta; 1979: Nauka Dubi; 1984: Bishabriksha; Madhuban.