Utpalendu Chakraborty (b. 1948)

Bengali director, musician and novelist. Born in Pabna Dist. (now Bangladesh). Was influenced in early youth by his uncle, Communist writer Swarnakamal Bhattacharya who wrote Chinnamul and Tathapi (both 1950). Master’s degree in modern history from University of Calcutta (1967) and associated with CPI(ML)- led student agitations. Published emphatically emotive short stories in anthology Prasab under the name of Swaranamitra. Worked as informal teacher among the tribals of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa until ill health forced his return to Calcutta (1971). Taught at higher secondary school. First film was 16mm documentary Mukti Chai made during the Emergency, campaigning for the release of political prisoners. Subsequent features, made with reluctance given his often-declared mistrust of both state and private funding agencies, continue his emphatic discursive style. Worked for TV (inc. Chaturtha Panir Pather Yuddha, Shatabarshe Mohun Bagan); also made a documentary on S. Ray.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1977: Mukti Chai (Doc); 1980: Moyna Tadanta; 1982: Chokh; 1983: Debabrata Biswas (Doc); 1984: Music of Satyajit Ray (Doc); 1985: Debshishu; 1986: Aparichita (TV); Rang (TV); 1988: Bikalpa (TV); 1989: Phansi; Janani (TV); Dwibachan (TV); Sonar Chheye Dami (TV); Chhandaneer; 1994: Prasab.