Jyotish Bannerjee (b. 1887)

Bengali and Hindi director born in Bihar. Started as a typist at Madan Theatres; later became the studio’s main film-maker in silent era. Part of film-making team with Priyanath Ganguly, Jyotish Mukherjee, Amar Choudhury, B.J. Rajhans, Abdur Rehman Kabuli (later star of Indrasabha, 1932) and cameramen Jyotish Sarkar and T. Marconi. Initially worked with Eugenio De Liguoro (Dhruva Charitra, Nala Damayanti, both 1921; Ramayan, 1922) and C. Legrand (Vishnu Avatar, 1921). Early films were mainly adaptations of stage spectaculars from the Elphinstone and Corinthian companies. His late 20s silents adapted several novels of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay owned by Madan Theatres. Also filmed plays by Girish Ghosh and Rabindra Mohan Moitra and a novel by Romesh Chandra Dutt (Madhabi Kankan). These were early examples of the Bengali literary film genre later incarnated into a formula by New Theatres. Went on to make one of the most successful stage adaptations in the Bengali cinema, Manmoyee Girls’ School. Worked at Madan until 1933, then freelanced, notably at Radha Films, at Madan’s successors Bharatlaxmi Pics and at the Indrapuri Studio.

FILMOGRAPHY (* uncertain attribution): 1922: Matri Sneh*; 1924: Mishar Rani; Veer Bharat; 1925: Premanjali; Sati Lakshmi; Jaler Meye; 1926: Dharmapatni; Joydev; Prafulla; 1927: Chandidas; 1928: Bhranti; Sasthi Ki Shanti; Bishabriksha; 1929: Indira; Rajani; 1930: Radha Rani; Rajsingha; Jugalangriya; Manik Jorh; Bharat Ramani; Mrinalini; Madhabi Kankan; 1931: Keranir Mas Kabar; Bibaha Bibhrat (all St.); Jore Barat; Rishir Prem; 1932: Vishnu Maya; Krishnakanter Will; Aankh Ka Tara; 1933: Dhruva Charitra; Dhruva; Joydev; 1934: Daksha Yagna; Nagan; 1935: Manmoyee Girls’ School; Kanthahaar; 1936: Ahalya; Rajani; 1937: Ranga Bou; 1938: Bekar Nashan; Rupor Jhumko; Khana; Ekalavya; 1939: Nara Narayan; Rukmini; 1941: Karnarjun; Shakuntala; Shri Radha; 1942: Bhishma; Milan; 1943: Devar; 1945: Kalankini; 1946: Prem Ki Duniya; 1948: Banchita; Kalo Ghora; 1949: Robin Master; 1950: Sheshbesh.

Actor Director