| 4 | | Actor born in Calcutta. Acted the gormless fool in dozens of Bengali comedies in the 30s, an image used by [[Satyajit Ray]] in [[Parash Pathar]] casting him as Paresh Dutta, a middle- aged bank clerk who discovers the philosopher’s stone. His image, characterised by his bald head, bulging eyes and a remarkable sense of timing is an enduring icon of early Bengali cinema. Known initially as a singer and dancer on the stage, e.g. in his major stage début for Star Theatres, Jaidev. Film début in [[Atorthy]]’s Punarjanma, also in a singing role. Acted in several [[New Theatres]] productions, e.g. by [[Hemchandra Chunder (Wapas, Meri Bahen) and Kartick Chattopadhyay ([[Ramer Sumati]], [[Mahaprasthaner Pathey |
| | 4 | Actor born in Calcutta. Acted the gormless fool in dozens of Bengali comedies in the 30s, an image used by [[Satyajit Ray]] in [[Parash Pathar]] casting him as Paresh Dutta, a middle- aged bank clerk who discovers the philosopher’s stone. His image, characterised by his bald head, bulging eyes and a remarkable sense of timing is an enduring icon of early Bengali cinema. Known initially as a singer and dancer on the stage, e.g. in his major stage début for Star Theatres, Jaidev. Film début in [[Atorthy]]’s Punarjanma, also in a singing role. Acted in several [[New Theatres]] productions, e.g. by [[Hemchandra Chunder (Wapas, Meri Bahen) and Kartick Chattopadhyay ([[Ramer Sumati]], [[Mahaprasthaner Pathey/Yatrik|Mahaprasthaner Pathey]]), [[Bimal Roy]] mobilised his earthy caricature of the Bengali middle class in a ‘realist’ context ([[Udayer Pathey]], [[Anjangarh]], [[Naukri]]). [[Premendra Mitra]] (Moyla Kagaj), [[Tapan Sinha]] and Ray (in [[Pather Panchali]], where he played the schoolteacher) extended this vein. Other classic roles incl. the villain in Mejdidi and the central character of the landlord in the hit [[Sharey Chuattar]]. He demonstrated his musical abilities only occasionally in his later career, e.g. in [[Debaki Bose]]’s [[Kavi]], singing his own compositions. Continued acting in theatre until 1961 (last play: Shreyasi) working with Star, Natyaniketan (e.g. Maa) and at Natyabharati and Rungmahal companies. |