Jahar Ganguly (1904-69)

Actor born in 24 Parganas Dist., Bengal. Major stage actor, dancer and singer in Calcutta Theatres, e.g. as Fatikchand in Poshyaputra (1932) and as Bhola Moira in Anthony Kabial in the late 60s. Broke through in film with Premankur Atorthy’s Dena Paona. Cast in almost 1/3 of Bengali films in 40s and 50s as a character actor in comedy counterparts to the dramatic lead. A crucial mediator between the Calcutta Theatres style and popular cinema (e.g. his Jyotish Bannerjee and Naresh Mitra films). Best-remembered lead role as Manas opposite Kanan Devi’s Niharika in Manmoyee Girls’ School, a part reprised from his 1932 Art Theatres production. Also major role in Shahar Theke Dooray, and remarkable cameos in Satyajit Ray’s Parash Pathar and Chidiakhana. Continued as stage actor until the 60s.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1931: Geeta (St); Dena Paona; 1934: Tulsidas; 1935: Manmoyee Girls’ School; Mantra Shakti; Payer Dhulo; Kanthahaar; 1936: Pather Sheshey; Kal Parinaya; Mahanisha; Bishabriksha; 1937: Talkie of Talkies; 1938: Sarbajanin Bibahotsab; Bekar Nashan; Ekalavya; 1939: Janak Nandini; Jakher Dhan; Nara Narayan; Sharmistha; Vaman Avatar; 1941: Kavi Joydev; Bijoyini; Pratishodh; Shri Radha; Nandini; Pratisruti; Karnarjun; 1942: Nari; Bhishma; Garmil; Milan; Bondi; Pashan Devata; Shesh Uttar/Jawab?; 1943: Shahar Theke Dooray; Sahadharmini; Jogajog/Hospital?; Dwanda; Poshya Putra; Nilanguriya; Jajsaheber Nathni; Paper Pathey; Dampati; Rani; Priya Bandhabi; 1944: Matir Ghar; Samaj; Shesh Raksha; Chhadmabeshi; Sandhya; 1945: Bondita; Kato Door; Do Tana; Path Bendhe Dilo; Mane Na Mana; Kalankini; Grihalakshmi; Dui Purush; Raj Lakshmi; 1946: Pather Sathi; Sat Number Bari; Ae To Jiban; Natun Bou; Bande Mataram; Matrihara; Tumi Aar Ami; Dukhe Jader Jiban Gara; 1947: Pather Daabi; Abhiyatri; Srinkhal; Ratri; Jharer Parey; Mandir; Swapna-o-Sadhana; Tapobhanga; Ramer Sumati; 1948: Anirban; Bankalekha; Nandaranir Sansar; Narir Rup; Sadharan Meye; Samapika; 1949: Rangamati; Sankalpa; Anuradha; Abhijatya; Abhimaan; Kamana; Mahadan; Niruddesh; Singhdwar; 1950: Biresh Lahiri; Indranath; Mahasampad; Kankantala Light Railway; Eki Gramer Chhele; Banprastha; Garabini; Gipsy Meye; Mejdidi; Sahodar; 1951: Kulhara; Babla; 1952: Meghmukti; 1953: Sat Number Kayedi; Makarshar Jaal; Keranir Jiban; Harilakshmi; Sitar Patal Prabesh; Niskriti; 1954: Maa-o- Chhele; Nababidhan; Naa; Kalyani; Mani-Aar- Manik; Sati; Barbela; Agni Pareeksha; Nilshari; Shivashakti; Grihapravesh; Mantra Shakti; 1955: Nishiddha Phal; Devatra; Parishodh; Bidhilipi; Kalo Bou; Godhuli; Dui Bone; Mejo Bou; Bhagwan Shri Shri Ramakrishna; Bhalobasha(?); 1956: Sagarika; Asabarna; Saheb Bibi Golam; He Maha Manab; Chirakumar Sabha; Paradhin; Asamapta; Trijama; Mamlar Phal; Rajpath; Nabajanma; Bandhan; Chhaya Sangini(?); Asha; 1957: Bara Maa(?); Tapasi; Madhu Malati; Ghoom; Baksiddha; Adarsha Hindu Hotel; Chhaya Path; Parer Chheley; Punar Milan; Ogo Sunchho; Abhoyer Biye; Ami-Baro-Habo; Madhabir Jonye; Chandranath; Parash Pathar; 1958: Shri Shri Maa; Bandhu; Manmoyee Girls’ School; Kangsa; Dak Harkara; Jogajog; O Amar Desher Mati; Purir Mandir; 1959: Janmantar; 1960: Khokha Babur Pratyabartan; Chhupi Chhupi Ashey; Gariber Meye; Ajana Kahini; Nader Nimai; Biyer Khata; 1961: Manik; Raibahadur; Kathin Maya; 1962: Bandhan; Nabadiganta; 1963: Dui Bari; Barnachora; Sat Bhai; Nirjan Saikate; Palatak; Tridhara; Nyayadanda; Uttar Falguni; 1964: Jiban Kahini; Bireshwar Vivekananda; Kanta Taar; Natun Tirtha; Dui Parba; 1965: Dinanter Alo; Raja Rammohun; Mukhujey Paribar; 1966: Ramdhakka; Shesh Tin Din; Sudhu Ekti Bachhar; 1967: Mahashweta; Chidiakhana; 1968: Charan Kabi Mukundadas; Hansamithun; 1969: Arogyaniketan; Pita Putra; Protidan.

Actor