'''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 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhiren_Ganguly|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 Sanya]]l. 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]].
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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.




[[Actor]]