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; 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