Anupam Ghatak (1911-47)

Second-generation Bengali-Hindi composer (after Rai Chand Boral and Pankaj Mullick) born in Mymensingh (now Bangladesh). Studied music under his father Atul Ghatak and later under Keshab Ganesh Dhekan, becoming a noted flautist. Sang on radio (1930). Assisted composer Bishen Chand Boral in Hiren Bose’s Mahua (1934) at New Theatres, and then Rai Chand Boral for the classic Bidyapati/ Vidyapati (1937). First independent film score: Payer Dhulo. Later worked at Sagar Film in Bombay, composing Zia Sarhadi’s Bhole Bhale and a series of films for Badami, Luhar et al. (1939). Returned to Calcutta, notably for Barua’s Shapmukti; thereafter had assignments in both Calcutta and Lahore. Known for his wide range, from the sentimental Ekti paisa dao go babu in Shapmukti to the experimental Gane more kon indradhanu in Agni Pareeksha.

FILMOGRAPHY (* act only): 1934: Mahua*; 1935: Payer Dhulo; Bidrohi*; 1936: Grihadah*; 1939: Bhole Bhale; Ladies Only; Sadhana; Seva Samaj; Uski Tamanna; 1940: Shapmukti; Civil Marriage; 1941: Karnarjun; Mayer Pran; 1942: Pashan Devata; 1943: Shri Ramanuja; 1945: Champa; 1946: Ayi Bahar; Badnami; Khush Naseeb; Shalimar; 1947: Aisa Kyon; Faisla; 1948: Banjare; 1949: Abhishapta; 1950: Shri Tulsidas; 1953: Shamsheer; 1954: Kalyani; Agni Pareeksha; 1955: Anupama; Devimalini; Paresh; Drishti; 1956: Kirti Garh; Ekti Raat; Shankar Narayan Bank; Asamapta; Nagardola; 1957: Madhabir Jonye; Ektara; Surer Parashey; Parer Chheley.

Music