Tulsi Chakraborty (1899-1961)

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?), 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.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1932: Punarjanma; 1933: Shri Gauranga; 1934: Dhruva; Sachidulal; Daksha Yagna; Rajnati Basantsena; 1935: Manmoyee Girls’ School; Kanthahaar; 1936: Krishna Sudama; Kritiman; Prabas Milan; Chino Haar; 1938: Halbangala; Bekar Nashan; Abhinaya; Ekalavya; 1939: Nara Narayan; Parasmani; Rikta; Vaman Avatar; Janak Nandini; 1940: Kamale Kamini; Nimai Sanyasi; 1941: Shri Radha; Uttarayan; Pratisruti; 1942: Meenakshi; Shesh Uttar/ Jawab; Garmil; Saugandh; 1943: Jogajog/ Hospital; Shri Ramanuja; Wapas; Swamir Ghar; Aleya; Poshya Putra; Dampati; Dikshul; 1944: All-Star Tragedy; Meri Bahen; Subah Shyam; Takraar; Udayer Pathey/Hamrahi?; Sondhi/Sandhi?; 1945: Vasiyatnama; Path Bendhe Dilo; Mane Na Mana; Bhabhi-Kaal; Dui Purush; 1946: Biraj Bou; Vande Mataram; 1947: Giribala; Jharer Parey; Alaknanda; Abhijog; Dui Bandhu; Gharoa; Ramer Sumati/Chhota? Bhai; 1948: Samapika; Anjangarh; Anirban; Bhuli Naai; Bankalekha; Priyatama; Sankha Sindoor; Taruner Swapna; Sir Shankarnath; Umar Prem(?); Mati-o-Manush; 1949: Satero Bachhar Pare; Kavi; Bishnupriya; Swami; Manzoor; 1950: Radha Rani; Rupkatha/Roop? Kahani; Mejdidi; Kuhelika; 1951: Biplabi Kshudiram; Ratnadeep/Ratnadeepam; Babla; 1952: Mahaprasthaner Pathey/ Yatrik; Patri Chai; Abu Hossain; Chhoti Maa; 1953: Bana Hansi; Nabin Yatra/Naya? Safar; Sharey Chuattar; Shri Shri Satyanarayan; Chirantani; Chikitsa Sankat; Jhakmari; 1954:Maa-o-Chhele; Atom Bomb; Moyla Kagaj; Moner Mayur; Ora Thake Odhare; Naramedh Yagna; Champadangar Bou; Prafulla; Ladies’ Seat; Jagrihi; Sadanander Mela; Annapurnar Mandir; Chheley Kaar; Bokul/ Bakul; Shoroshi; Grihapravesh; Jadubhatta; Naukri; 1955: Shribatsa-Chinta; Nishiddha Phal; Chhoto Bou; Aparadhi; Jharer Parey; Joymakali Boarding; Katha Kao; Upahar; Pather Panchali; Godhuli; Devimalini; Paresh; Du-Janay; Sabar Uparey; Kalindi; Sanjher Pradeep; 1956: Shyamali; Saheb Bibi Golam; Savdhan; Chirakumar Sabha; Ekti Raat; Asamapta; Rajpath; Nagardola; Chore; Amar Bou; Nabajanma; Asha; 1957: Sindoor; Ektara; Adarsha Hindu Hotel; Abhishek; Abhoyer Biye; Baksiddha; Madhabir Jonye; Tamasha; Janmatithi; Parash Pathar; Ajantrik; Kancha-Mithey; Ogo Sunchho; Chandranath; 1958: Meja Jamai; Yamalaya Jibanta Manush; Sonar Kathi; Rajalakshmi-o- Shrikanta; Nupur; Swarga Martya; Jonakir Alo; Sadhak Bama Kshyapa; Indrani; Joutuk; Surya Toran; Shri Shri Tarakeshwar; Rajdhani Theke; 1959: Chaowa-Pawa; Thakur Haridas; Derso Khokhar Kando; Deep Jweley Jai; Gali Theke Rajpath; Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey; Abak Prithvi; Mriter Martye Agaman; Personal Assistant; 1960: Maya Mriga; Kuhak; Akash- Patal; Bhoy; Dui Bechara; Khokha Babur Pratyabartan; Khudha; Kono-Ek-Din; Shesh Paryanta; Ajana Kahini; Nader Nimai; Suno Baro Nari; Gariber Meye; 1961: Sandhya Raag; Manik; Sadhak Kamalakanta; Lakshmi Narayan; Mr & Mrs Choudhury; Bishkanya; Swayambara; Kanchanmulya; Aaj Kal Parshu; Madhureno; Saptapadi; Dui Bhai; Kanamachi; 1962: Mon Dilona Bandhu; Suryasnan; Shasti; Agun; Kajal; Shesh Chinha; Banarasi; 1963: Dui Bari; High Heel.

Actor