Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee (1920-89)
Aka Hemant Kumar. Bengali-Hindi composer and singer. Born in Varanasi. Left school to become a professional singer. Studied under Phani Bannerjee and Shailendraprasad Gupta. Early songs for radio. Released his first record in 1937, with the still-popular numbers Janite jadi go and Balogo more. One of the most popular Rabindra Sangeet singers of his time, starting under the tutelage of Anadi Dastidar, initially singing mainly in the tradition of Pankaj Mullick. Changed his style in context of a brief but fruitful collaboration with composer Salil Choudhury (1949-52) associated with the IPTA. Début as singer in Bengali film with Phani Burma’s Nimai Sanyasi (1940) and in Hindi with Iraada (1944). Early compositions for Hemen Gupta (Bhuli Naai, ’42, Anandmath, Kashti). Established himself as a Bengali composer with Ajoy Kar’s Jighansa. Although he went on to become one of the most popular Bengali film composers, his main fame derives from playback singing for Uttam Kumar, his baritone becoming a key ingredient of the star’s romantic dramas: e.g. classic hits Jhor utteche in Sudhir Mukherjee’s Shap Mochan; Nir chhoto khati nei in Niren Lahiri’s Indrani (1958); Ei path jadi na shesh hoi in Ajoy Kar’s Saptapadi, etc. Often partnered Sandhya Mukherjee, female playback usually for Suchitra Sen. From the 50s onwards his voice incarnated Bengali middle-class romanticism, having an enduring influence on all male playback singers in the language ever since. Became a star singer in Hindi with the classic Yeh raat yeh chandni in Guru Dutt’s Jaal (1952), picturised on Dev Anand on the beach among the fishing nets. Collaborated extensively with Dutt, e.g. Jaane woh kaise log the in Pyaasa (1957) and scored the hauntingly beautiful numbers of Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. First Hindi hit as composer is Nagin, adapting a tune from Bijon Bhattacharya’s play Jiyankanya for the sinuous snake dance number Man dole, a landmark in the introduction of electronics into Hindi film music. Composed regularly for Tarun Majumdar and for the early Mrinal Sen, producing Sen’s Neel Akasher Neechey. As producer he often worked with set designer turned director Biren Nag, showing a penchant for thrillers like Bees Saal Baad (adapting The Hound of the Baskervilles), and Kohraa, borrowed from Daphne du Maurier’s (and Hitchcock’s) Rebecca. Also produced Pinaki Mukherjee’s Faraar, Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Biwi Aur Makaan, Tarun Majumdar’s Rahgir and Asit Sen’s Rajesh Khanna psychodrama Khamoshi. Autobiography Amar Ganer Swaralipi (1988).
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1947: Purbaraag; Abhiyatri; 1948: Bhuli Naai; Padma Paramatti Nadi; Priyatama; 1949: Diner Par Din; ’42; Sandipan Pathshala; Swami; 1951: Jighansa; 1952: Anandmath; 1954: Daku Ki Ladki; Kashti; Jagriti; Nagin; Samrat; Shart; 1955: Bahu; Bandish; Bhagwat Mahima; Lagan; Shap Mochan; 1956: Suryamukhi; Anjaan; Arab Ka Saudagar; Bandhan; Durgesh Nandini; Ek Hi Raasta; Hamara Watan; Inspector; Lalten; Taj; 1957: Bandi; Champakali; Ek Jhalak; Fashion; Hill Station; Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan; Miss Mary; Payal; Yahudi Ki Ladki; Shesh Parichaya; Taser Ghar; Harano Sur; Naikinichi Sajja; 1958: Lookochuri; Shikar; Joutuk; Surya Toran; Do Mastane; Police; Sahara; Neel Akasher Neechey; 1959: Chand; Hum Bhi Insaan Hain; Marutirtha Hinglaj; Deep Jweley Jai; Khelaghar; Sonar Harin; Kshaniker Atithi; 1960: Kuhak; Khokha Babur Pratyabartan; Baishey Shravan; Gariber Meye; Shesh Paryanta; Duniya Jhukti Hai; Girl Friend; 1961: Sathi Hara; Agni Sanskar; Swaralipi; Madhya Rater Tara; Saptapadi; Dui Bhai; 1962: Hansuli Banker Upakatha; Atal Jaler Ahwan; Agun; Dada Thakur; Nabadiganta; Bees Saal Baad; Maa Beta; Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam; 1963: Bin Badal Barsaat; Ek Tukro Agun; Barnachora; Saat Pake Bandha; High Heel; Palatak; Shesh Prahar; Tridhara; Badshah; 1964: Kohraa; Pratinidhi; Bibhas; Swarga Hotey Biday; Sindoore Megh; Prabhater Rang; Natun Tirtha; Arohi; 1965: Alor Pipasa; Ek Tuku Basa; Surya Tapa; Ek Tuku Chhoya Lage; Do Dil; Faraar; 1966: Anupama; Biwi Aur Makaan; Sannata; Kanch Kata Hirey; Manihar; 1967: Balika Bodhu; Dustu Prajapati; Nayika Sangbad; Manjhli Didi; Ajana Shapath; 1968: Do Dooni Char; Adwitiya; Baghini; Hansamithun; Jiban Sangeet; Panchasar; Parishodh; 1969: Chena Achena; Mon-Niye; Parineeta; Shuk Sari; Khamoshi; Rahgir; 1970: Deshbandhu Chittaranjan; Us Raat Ke Baad; Duti Mon; 1971: Kuheli; Malyadaan; Nabaraag; Nimantran; Sansar; 1972: Bees Saal Pehle; Anindita*; Shriman Prithviraj; 1974: Bikele Bhorer Phool; Thagini; Phuleshwari; 1975: Agniswar; Nishi Mrigaya; Raag Anuraag; Sansar Simantey; Mohan Baganer Meye; 1976: Banhi Sikha; Datta; Sankhabish; Pratisruti; 1977: Rajani; Din Amader; Hatey Roilo Tin; Mantramugdha; Pratima; Sanai; Shesh Raksha; Swati; Proxy; 1978: Nadi Theke Sagare; Ganadevata; Pronoy Pasha; Do Ladke Dono Kadke; 1979: Love in Canada; Shahar Theke Dooray; Nauka Dubi; 1980: Bandhan; Dadar Kirti; Paka Dekha; Pankhiraj; Shesh Bichar; 1981: Subarna Golak; Kapal Kundala; Meghmukti; Khelar Putul; 1982: Chhoto Maa; Chut; Pratiksha; Uttar Meleni; 1983: Amar Geeti; Rajeshwari; 1984: Agni Shuddhi; Ajantay; Bishabriksha; Didi; Madhuban; Surya Trishna; 1985: Bhalobasha Bhalobasha; Tagori; 1986: Pathbhola; Ashirwad; 1987: Pratibha; Tunibou; 1988: Boba Sanai; Parasmoni; Surer Sathi; Agaman.