Sachindranath [Chhabi] Biswas (1900-62)
Actor born in Calcutta. Best-known outside Bengal for his two major performances in Satyajit Ray’s Jalsaghar and Kanchanjungha. Epitomises the Bengali literary (and visual: cf. Company School Painting) late 19th C. fascination with the colonial ‘gentleman’ (culminating with Kanchanjungha) as well as the feudal Zamindar. Used in a variety of ways to comment on the Westernising strand of 19th C. reform movements, or to parody Calcutta’s urban élite (see Dhiren Ganguly, with whom Biswas acted in Daabi) in the form of the bhadralok stereotype elaborated at various times by all the major actors in 20th C. Bengal: Sisir Bhaduri, Durgadas Bannerjee, Ahindra Choudhury?, P.C. Barua, Pahadi Sanyal. Before entering film, did amateur theatre while at Presidency College, Calcutta, in association with Bhaduri and Naresh Mitra? (e.g. Nemai Sanyas), and Jatra performances. Turned professional at Natyaniketan (1938). Title roles in stage productions of Devdas, Kashinath, Siraj-ud-Dowla et al. are considered definitive performances in the era after Sisir Bhaduri and Ahindra Choudhury. Switched from early lead roles to successful ‘character’ roles, notably in Kabuliwala, Shashi Babur Sansar, Headmaster and Dada Thakur. Other classic roles include the exploitative father-in-law in Devi. Filmography: (* also directed) 1937: Annapurnar Mandir; 1937: Haranidhi; 1938: Chokher Bali; 1939: Sharmistha; Chanakya; 1940: Swami Stri; Nimai Sanyasi; Nartaki; 1941: Epar Opar; Pratishodh; Pratisruti; Karnarjun; Banglar Meye; 1942: Mahakavi Kalidas; Garmil; Jiban Sangini; Milan; Ashok; Parineeta; Pativrata; Bondi; Avayer Biye; Shodhbodh; Nari; Saugandh; Pashan Devata; 1943: Dampati; Aleya; Samadhan; Dwanda; Nilanguriya; Daabi; Devar; Dikshul; 1944: Pratikar*; Matir Ghar; Chhadmabeshi; 1945: Bondita; Raj Lakshmi; Path Bendhe Dilo; Stree Durga; Dui Purush; 1946: Prem Ki Duniya; Sat Number Bari; Biraj Bou; Vande Mataram; Sangram; Nivedita; Tumi Aar Ami/Tum? Aur Main; 1947: Mandir; Pather Daabi; Abhijog; Nurse Sisi; Chandrasekhar; 1948: Anirban; Nandaranir Sansar; Sadharan Meye; Sankha Sindoor; Shesh Nibedan; Umar Prem(?); 1949: Jar Jetha Ghar*; Manzoor; Bhuler Baluchare; Debi Choudhrani; Singhdwar; 1950: Mandanda; Mahasampad; Garabini; Vidyasagar; 1951: Durgesh Nandini; Maldar; Aparajito; 1952: Krishnakanter Will; Ratrir Tapasya; 1953: Sat Number Kayedi; Boudir Bone; Makarshar Jaal; Sabuj Pahar; Jog Biyog; Lakh Taka; Raja Krishna Chandra; Blind Lane; Sati Behula; 1954: Shobha; Maa-o- Chhele; Ora Thake Odhare; Naa; Kalyani; Prafulla; Dhuli; Banglar Nari; Sadanander Mela; Chheley Kaar; Shoroshi; Jadubhatta; Bhanga-Gara; 1955: Sanjher Pradeep; Rani Rashmoni; Dattak; Pather Sheshey; Jharer Parey; Joymakali Boarding; Katha Kao; Prashna; Hrad; Upahar; Kalo Bou; Devimalini; Bratacharini; Drishti; Shribatsa-Chinta; Sabar Uparey; 1956: Bhola Master; Kirti Garh; Asabarna; Saheb Bibi Golam; Shubharatri; Shankar Narayan Bank; Asamapta; Trijama; Mamlar Phal; Manraksha; Ek Din Raatre; Rajpath; Chhaya Sangini; Suryamukhi; Govindadas; Madan Mohan; Putrabadhu; Falgu; Daner Maryada; Sinthir Sindoor; Raat Bhore; Kabuliwala; 1957: Shesh Parichaya; Bardidi; Ghoom; Bara Maa; Ektara; Tapasi; Adarsha Hindu Hotel; Prithibi Amar Chay; Natun Prabhat; Neelachaley Mahaprabhu; Surer Parashey; Rastar Chhele; Kancha- Mithey; Chhaya Path; Abhishek; Sandhan; Abhoyer Biye; Mathur; Baksiddha; Antariksha; Garer Math; Kari-o-Komal; Madhabir Jonye; Pathe Holo Deri; Louha-Kapat; Parash Pathar; 1958: Yamalaya Jibanta Manush; Priya; Bandhu; Nupur; Daily Passenger; O Amar Desher Mati; Tansen; Nagini Kanyar Kahini; Sadhak Bama Kshyapa; Jalsaghar; Indrani; Dhoomketu; Surya Toran; Marmabani; 1959: Bicharak; Thakur Haridas; Derso Khokhar Kando; Shashi Babur Sansar; Bhranti; Gali Theke Rajpath; Chhabi; Amrapali; Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey; Khelaghar; Agnisambhaba; Nrityer Tale Tale; Headmaster; Rater Andhakare; Shubha Bibaha; Mriter Martye Agaman; Kshaniker Atithi; 1960: Maya Mriga; Debarshi Narader Sansar; Raja-Saja; Devi; Haat Baraley Bandhu; Kshudista Pashan; Chupi Chupi Ashey; Sakher Chor; Gariber Meye; Hospital; Smriti Tuku Thak; Shesh Paryanta; Ajana Kahini; Nader Nimai; Surer Pyasi; Suno Baro Nari; 1961: Manik; Carey Shaheber Munshi; Bishkanya; Agni Sanskar; Madhya Rater Tara; Swayambara; Necklace; Kanchanmulya; Dainee; Ashay Bandhinu Ghar; Madhureno; Saptapadi; Maa; 1962: Sorry Madam; Bipasha; Kancher Swarga; Suryasnan; Shiulibari; Kanchanjungha; Atal Jaler Ahwan; Agnisikha; Bodhu; Kajal; Mayar Sansar; Shubha Drishti; Dada Thakur; Dhoop Chhaya; 1963: High Heel; Surya Sikha; 1964: Kanta Taar; 1976: Shri Shri Maa Lakshmi.