He is best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, and was himself the scion of a rich and cultured North Kolkata family.[2] He was born on 12 July 1900. His father, Bhupatinath Biswas, was well known for his charitable works. His first name was Sachindranath, but his mother nicknamed her handsome son Chhabi (a beautiful picture!) and the name stuck throughout his life and career. His portrayal of the formidable father figure, though often typecast, yet was powerful and convincing enough to earn both popular and critical accolades. That portrayal was culturally significant, too as in the British Raj, enlightened Bengali used to combined both the hoary tradition and the Anglicised urbanity.
Passing his matriculation examinations from the Hindu School, Chhabi Biswas enrolled at the Presidency College and later at the Vidyasagar College. It was during this time he entered amateur theatre and got in touch with Sisir Kumar Bhaduri, the legendary star of Bengali theatre. The young actor was impressed by Sisir Kumar’s histrionic abilities and he became heavily involved with several amateur theatrical clubs. His powerful performance as Sri Gouranga in the play Nader Nimai sealed Biswas's popularity among the theatre lovers of the day.
He then took a break from acting and joined an insurance company, and later started a business dealing in jute products. But soon, unable to resist the temptations of the stage, Biswas rejoined the theatre circuit and made his debut as a professional actor in a social-melodrama, Samaj. Even after his success as a film actor Biswas continued his association with the professional stage and Jatra circuit. His performance in major roles in hit plays like Shoroshi (1940), Sita (1940), Kedar Roy (1941) and Shahjehan (1941), made him an admired figure both among the audience and his peers.
In 1936, Biswas made his cinematic debut in a film called Annapurnar Mandir. The film was directed by Tinkari Chakraborty and Biswas played the role of Bishu, the husband of the heroine. Trained in the over-melodramatic acting style of the contemporary Bengali stage, Biswas soon grasped the finer nuances of acting for cinema. He became a regular in films produced by the New Theatres and had major roles in Chokker Bali (1937), Nimai Sannyas (1940) and Pratisruti (1941). He was absolutely marvellous as a 90-year-old ascetic in Debaki Bose's film Nartaki (1940). Ironically, it was the success of his acting in Nartaki that limited his opportunities in lead roles but his reputation as a character actor par excellence was by now firmly in place. Biswas's second innings as an actor began with this film and he almost became an automatic choice as the paterfamilias or the suave noble. Using his perfect English diction to the hilt Biswas (along with Pahadi Sanyal and Bikash Roy to a certain extent) developed a unique way of delivering a dramatic dialogue, first in English, and then after a pause repeating the same in Bengali. Films such as Ashok (1942), Parineeta (1942), Dwanda (1943), Matir Ghar (1944), Dui Purush (1945), Biraj Bou (1946) and Mandana (1950) showcased his talents as an actor of great quality.
In 1958, when Satyajit Ray needed someone to play an aging aristocrat in Jalsaghar, Biswas was an automatic choice. Subsequently, Biswas starred in two more Ray films; Devi (1960) and Kanchenjungha (1962).
Chhabi Biswas died at age 61 in an automobile accident on 11 June 1962. Satyajit Ray later wrote, "Jalsgahar, Devi, Kanchenjunga, were all written with Chhabi Biswas in mind. Ever since he died, I have not written a single middle-aged part that calls for a high degree of professional talent."[3]
chhabi, biswas, chabi, biśbās, july, 1900, june, 1962, indian, actor, primarily, known, performances, tapan, sinha, kabuliwala, satyajit, films, jalshaghar, music, room, 1958, devi, goddess, 1960, kanchenjungha, 1962, born, 1900, july, 1900choto, jagulia, datt. Chhabi Biswas Chabi Bisbas 13 July 1900 11 June 1962 1 was an Indian actor primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha s Kabuliwala and Satyajit Ray s films Jalshaghar The Music Room 1958 Devi The Goddess 1960 and Kanchenjungha 1962 Chhabi BiswasBorn 1900 07 13 13 July 1900Choto Jagulia Dattapukur North 24 Parganas Calcutta Bengal Presidency British IndiaDied11 June 1962 1962 06 11 aged 61 Naktala Kolkata West Bengal IndiaOccupationActorYears active1931 1962ParentBhupendra Nath Biswas Kali Biswas AwardsSangeet Natak Akademi Award 1960 He is best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch and was himself the scion of a rich and cultured North Kolkata family 2 He was born on 12 July 1900 His father Bhupatinath Biswas was well known for his charitable works His first name was Sachindranath but his mother nicknamed her handsome son Chhabi a beautiful picture and the name stuck throughout his life and career His portrayal of the formidable father figure though often typecast yet was powerful and convincing enough to earn both popular and critical accolades That portrayal was culturally significant too as in the British Raj enlightened Bengali used to combined both the hoary tradition and the Anglicised urbanity Contents 1 Life and film career 2 Filmography 3 Awards and recognitions 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Citations 5 External linksLife and film career EditPassing his matriculation examinations from the Hindu School Chhabi Biswas enrolled at the Presidency College and later at the Vidyasagar College It was during this time he entered amateur theatre and got in touch with Sisir Kumar Bhaduri the legendary star of Bengali theatre The young actor was impressed by Sisir Kumar s histrionic abilities and he became heavily involved with several amateur theatrical clubs His powerful performance as Sri Gouranga in the play Nader Nimai sealed Biswas s popularity among the theatre lovers of the day He then took a break from acting and joined an insurance company and later started a business dealing in jute products But soon unable to resist the temptations of the stage Biswas rejoined the theatre circuit and made his debut as a professional actor in a social melodrama Samaj Even after his success as a film actor Biswas continued his association with the professional stage and Jatra circuit His performance in major roles in hit plays like Shoroshi 1940 Sita 1940 Kedar Roy 1941 and Shahjehan 1941 made him an admired figure both among the audience and his peers In 1936 Biswas made his cinematic debut in a film called Annapurnar Mandir The film was directed by Tinkari Chakraborty and Biswas played the role of Bishu the husband of the heroine Trained in the over melodramatic acting style of the contemporary Bengali stage Biswas soon grasped the finer nuances of acting for cinema He became a regular in films produced by the New Theatres and had major roles in Chokker Bali 1937 Nimai Sannyas 1940 and Pratisruti 1941 He was absolutely marvellous as a 90 year old ascetic in Debaki Bose s film Nartaki 1940 Ironically it was the success of his acting in Nartaki that limited his opportunities in lead roles but his reputation as a character actor par excellence was by now firmly in place Biswas s second innings as an actor began with this film and he almost became an automatic choice as the paterfamilias or the suave noble Using his perfect English diction to the hilt Biswas along with Pahadi Sanyal and Bikash Roy to a certain extent developed a unique way of delivering a dramatic dialogue first in English and then after a pause repeating the same in Bengali Films such as Ashok 1942 Parineeta 1942 Dwanda 1943 Matir Ghar 1944 Dui Purush 1945 Biraj Bou 1946 and Mandana 1950 showcased his talents as an actor of great quality In 1958 when Satyajit Ray needed someone to play an aging aristocrat in Jalsaghar Biswas was an automatic choice Subsequently Biswas starred in two more Ray films Devi 1960 and Kanchenjungha 1962 Chhabi Biswas died at age 61 in an automobile accident on 11 June 1962 Satyajit Ray later wrote Jalsgahar Devi Kanchenjunga were all written with Chhabi Biswas in mind Ever since he died I have not written a single middle aged part that calls for a high degree of professional talent 3 Filmography EditYear of release Title Role Director Notes1936 Annapurnar Mandir Bishu Tinkari Chakraborty1937 Haranidhi Tinkari Chakraborty1938 Chokher Bali Bihari Satu Sen1939 Chanakya Sikandar Sisir Kumar Bhaduri1939 Sharmistha Naresh Mitra1940 Nimai Sanyasi Nimai Phani Burma1940 Nartaki Swamiji Debaki Bose1940 Swami Stri Satu Sen1941 Pratisruti Paritosh Hemchandra Chunder1941 Pratishodh Sushil Majumdar1941 Karnarjun Karna Jyotish Bandyopadhyay1941 Epar Opar Ramen Sukumar Dasgupta1941 Banglar Meye Naresh Mitra1942 Jiban Sangini Naren Choudhury Gunamaya Bannerjee1942 Saugandh Hemchandra Chunder1942 Pashan Devata Sukumar Dasgupta1942 Milan Paresh Jyotish Bannerji1942 Mahakabi Kalidas Niren Lahiri1942 Garmil Mukherjee Niren Lahiri1942 Avayer Biye Sushil Majumdar1942 Shodhbodh Saumyen Mukherji1942 Nari Prafulla Roy1942 Bondi Sailajanand Mukherji1942 Parineeta Pasupati Chatterjee1942 Ashok Ajay Bhattacharya1942 Pativrata Jagadish Chakraborty1942 Mahakavi Kalidas Niren Lahiri1943 Dwanda Hemen Gupta1943 Dikshul Premankur Atorthy1943 Devar Rabin Jyotish Bannerji1943 Dampati Niren Lahiri1943 Nilanguriya Gunamaya Bannerjee1943 Daabi Dhirendranath Ganguly1943 Aleya Nabendusundar1943 Samadhan Premendra Mitra1944 Chhadmabeshi Ajay Bhattacharya1944 Matir Ghar Alok Hari Bhanja1944 Pratikar Chhabi Biswas1945 Bondita Hemanta Gupta1945 Dui Purush Nutu Bihari Subodh Mitra1945 Rajlaxmi Premendra Mitra1945 Path Bendhe Dilo Premendra Mitra1945 Sree Durga Sailajananda Mukherjee1945 Raj Lakshmi Premendra Mitra1946 Sangram Ardhendu Mukherjee1946 Tumi Aar Aami Apurba Kumar Mitra1946 Prem Ki Duniya Jyotish Bannerjee1946 Mandir Phani Burma1946 Biraj Bou Nilambar Amar Mullick1946 Vande Mataram Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee1946 Nibedita Pratibha Sasmal1946 Saat Number Bari Sukumar Dasgupta1947 Chandrasekhar Chandrasekhar Debaki Bose1947 Abhijog Sushil Majumdar1947 Nurse Sisi Subodh Mitra1948 Anirban Soumyen Mukherjee1948 Shesh Nibedan Dhirendranath Ganguly1948 Sadharan Meye Niren Lahiri1948 Nandaranir Sansar Surendraranjan Sarkar1948 Shankha Sindur Manujendra Bhanja1948 Umar Prem Khagen Roy1948 Drishtidaan Nitin Bose1949 Manzoor Subodh Mitra1949 Debi Chowdhurani Satish Dangupta1949 Jar Jetha Ghar Chhabi Biswas1949 Singhdwar Niren Lahiri1950 Garabini Niren Lahiri1950 Mandanda Ratan Chatterjee1950 Vidyasagar Kali Prasad Ghose1950 Mahasampad Surendraranjan Sarkar1951 Anurag Jatin Das1951 Kalsap Khagen Roy1951 Maldar Amit Moitra1951 Biplabi Kshudiram Hiranmoy Sen1951 Aparajita Partha Sarathy Drama1951 Durgesh Nandini Katlu Khan Amar Mullick1951 Sunandar Biye Sudhir Sarkar1952 Ratrir Tapashya Sushil Majumdar1952 Krishnakanter Will Khagen Roy1952 Nirakshar Gunamaya Bannerjee1952 Prarthana Pranab Roy1952 Alladdin o ashcharya Pradeep Bijon Sen1952 Kar Pape Kali Prasad Ghose Dr Bose1952 Jabanbondi Amar Dutta1952 Subhada Haran Chandra Niren Lahiri1952 Vidyasagar Kali Prasad Ghose1953 Raja Krishnachandra Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee1953 Shesher Kabita Abanish Modhu Bose1953 Saat Number Kayedi Sukumar Dasgupta1953 Lakh Taka Niren Lahiri1953 Jog Biyog Pinaki Mukherji1953 Boudir Bon Khagen Roy1953 Sabuj Paharh Apurba Kumar Mitra1953 Baimanik Shyam Chakraborty1953 Blind Lane Sailajananda Mukherjee1953 Makarsar Jaal Pashupati Kundu1954 Sati Beula as bn Sunil Ganguly1954 Bidhilipi Jagadish Babu Manu Sen1954 Sati Beula as bn Sunil Ganguly1954 Shorashi Jibananda Choudhury Pasupati Chatterjee1954 Sadanander Mela Mamubhai Sukumar Dasgupta1954 Ora Thake Odhare Sukumar Dasgupta1954 Jadubhatta Niren Lahiri1954 Dhuli Pinaki Mukherjee1954 Chheley Kaar Chitta Bose1954 Bhanga Gora Jogen Sushil Majumdar1954 Prafulla Chitta Bose1954 Banglar Nari Sailajananda Mukherjee1954 Naa Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay1954 Shobha Niren Lahiri1954 Maa o chhele Gunamaya Bannerjee1954 Kalyani Niren Lahiri1955 Sanjher Pradeep Sudhangsu Mukherjee1955 Rani Rashmoni Rajchandra Das Kali Prasad Ghose1955 Joymakali Boarding Sadhan Sarkar1955 Jharer Pare Debnarayan Gupta1955 Hrad Ardhendu Sen1955 Dasyu Mohan Mr Shome Ardhendu Mukherjee1955 Sabar Upare Prashanta Chatterjee Agradoot1955 Upahar Sunil s father Tapan Sinha1955 Shribatsa Chinta Phani Burma1955 Prashna Sumitra s Father Chandrasekhar Bose1955 Debi Malini Niren Lahiri1955 Dattak Kamal Ganguly1955 Kalo Bou Silpi Sangha1955 Katha Kao Sailajananda Mukherjee1955 Pather Sheshey Ardhendu Chatterjee1955 Bhagaban Sree Sree Ramkrishna a Mathur Prafulla Chakraborty1955 Drishti Chitta Bose1955 Parishodh Sukumar Dasgupta1955 Joy Maa Kali Boarding Sadhan Sarkar1955 Bratacharini Kamal Ganguly1956 Kirti Garh Soumyen Mukherjee1956 Shankar Narayan Bank Niren Lahiri1956 Asamapta Ratan Chatterjee1956 Madan Mohan Amal Kumar Bose1956 Putrabadhu Chitta Bose1956 Raat Bhore Mrinal Sen1956 Sinthir Sindoor Ardhendu Sen1956 Trijama Kushal s father Agradoot1956 Suryamukhi Bikash Ray1956 Shubharatri Sushil Majumdar1956 Saheb Bibi Golam Mejobabu Kartick Chattopadhyay1956 Sadhak Ramprosad Bangsi Ash1956 Paradhin Modhu Bose1956 Daner Maryada Amarnath Sushil Majumdar1956 Bhola Master Bhola Master Niren Lahiri1956 Asabarna Pinaki Mukherjee1956 Falgu Satish Dasgupta1956 Rajpath Gunamaya Bannerjee1956 Govindadas Prafulla Chakraborty1956 Mamlar Phal Pasupati Chatterjee1956 Ekdin Ratre Sombhu Mitra1956 Chhaya Sangini Bidyapati Ghosh1956 Taka ana pai Jyotirmoy Roy1956 Manraksha Satish Dasgupta1957 Prithibi Amare Chay Niren Lahiri1957 Adarsha Hindu Hotel Ardhendu Sen1957 Khela Bhangar Khela Ratan Chatterjee1957 Harishchandra Rishi Durbasa Phani Burma1957 Shesh Parichoy Sushil Majumdar1957 Rastar Chhele Chitta Bose1957 Kabuliwala Rahmat the Kabuliwala Tapan Sinha1957 Kancha mithey Jyotirmoy Roy1957 Garer Math Aaj Production Unit1957 Pathe Holo Deri Mallika s father Agradoot1957 Baksiddha Bireswar Bose1957 Antariksha Rajen Tarafdar1957 Abhoyer Biye Sukumar Dasgupta1957 Kari o komal Moni Ghosh1957 Bardidi Ajay Kar1957 Abhishek Chitra Pali1957 Tapasi Chitta Bose1957 Madhabir Jonye Nitin Bose1957 Chhaya Path Gunamaya Bannerjee1957 Mathur Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee1957 Ghum Agrani1957 Sandhan Chitta Sen1957 Natun Prabhat Bikash Ray1957 Surer Parashe Chitta Bose1957 Bara Maa Niren Lahiri1957 Ektara Hiren Bose1957 Nilachaley Mahaprabhu King Gajapati Prataprudradeb Kartick Chattopadhyay1958 Louha kapat Tapan Sinha1958 Parash Pathar Guest at Cocktail Party Satyajit Ray1958 Tansen Akbar Niren Lahiri1958 Nagini Kanyar Kahini Salil Sen1958 Daily Passenger Sadhan Sarkar1958 Daktar Babu Bishu Dasgupta1958 Jalsaghar Huzur Biswambhar Roy Satyajit Ray1958 Priya Salil Sen1958 Surya Toran Agradoot1958 Marmabani Sushil Majumdar1958 Sadhak Bamakshyapa Narayan Ghosh 2 1958 Jamalaye Jibanta Manush Prafulla Chakraborty1958 Indrani Niren Lahiri1958 Headmaster Krishna Prasanna Ex Head master Agragami1958 O Amar Desher Mati Pathikrit1958 Nupur Dilip Nag1958 Bandhu Chitta Bose1958 Dhoomketu Gouranga Prasad Basu1959 Derso Khokhar Kando Kamal Ganguly1959 Gali Theke Rajpath Prafulla Chakraborty1959 Sonar Harin Mangal Chakraborty1959 Shubha Bibaha Bar da Gayatri s father Sombhu Mitra1959 Sashibabur Sansar Sudhir Mukherjee1959 Mriter Martye Agaman Pasupati Chatterjee1959 Khelaghar Ajay Kar1959 Kshaniker Atithi Tapan Sinha1959 Chaowa Pawa Tarun Majumdar Yatrik1959 Bicharak Prabhat Mukherjee1959 Chhabi Niren Lahiri1959 Amrapali Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay1959 Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey Nirmal Dey1959 Rater Andhakare Agrani1959 Thakur Haridas Gobinda Ray1959 Bhranti Prafulla Chakraborty1959 Agnisambhabha Sushil Majumdar1959 Nrityeri Tale Tale Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee1960 Devi zamindar Kali Kinkar Roy Satyajit Ray1960 Smriti Tuku Thaak Shova s father Tarun Majumdar1960 Shesh Paryanta Sudhir Mukherjee1960 Tailangaswami Chitrasarathi1960 Shuno Baranari Ajay Kar1960 Raja saja Bikash Ray1960 Nader Nimai Bimal Roy Jr 1960 Maya Mriga Chitta Bose1960 Kshudista Pashan Tapan Sinha1960 Hospital Sushil Majumdar1960 Surer Piyasi Bishu Dasgupta1960 Haat Baralei Bandhu Sukumar Dasgupta1960 Gariber Meye Ardhendu Mukherjee1960 Sakher Chor Prafulla Chakraborty1960 Debarshi Narader Sansar Panchaboot1960 Ajana Kahini Sunil Baran1960 Chupi Chupi Ase Beni Inspector Ghosh Premendra Mitra1961 Bishkanya Shri Jayadratha1961 Kanchanmulya Nirmal Mitra1961 Saptapadi Krishnendu s father Ajay Kar1961 Maa Chitta Bose1961 Manik Bijoli Baran Sen1961 Dainee Manoj Bhattacharya1961 Carey Saheber Munshi Bikash Ray1961 Agni Sanskar Agradoot1961 Madhya Rater Tara Pinaki Mukherjee1961 Madhureno Shanti Bannerjee1961 Kancher Swarga Tarun Majumdar1961 Ashay Bandhinu Ghar Kanak Mukherjee1961 Necklace Dilip Nag1961 Swayambara Asit Sen1962 Mayar Sansar Kanak Mukherjee1962 Bodhu Bhupen Roy1962 Sorry Madam Dilip Bose1962 Kancher Swarga Judge Tarun Majumdar1962 Kanchenjungha Indranath Chowdhury Satyajit Ray1962 Agnisikha Rajen Tarafdar1962 Bipasha Saradindu Chatterjee Agradoot1962 Shubhoddristi Chitta Bose1962 Dhupchhaya Chitta Bose1962 Dada Thakur Dada Thakur Sudhir Mukherjee1962 Suryasnan Ajay Kumar1962 Atal Jaler Ahwan Mr Chowdhury Ajay Kar1962 Shiulibari Pijush Bose1962 Kajal Sunil Bannerjee1963 High Heel Dilip Bose1963 Surya Sikha Salil Dutta1963 Chhakka Panja Prafulla Roy1964 Kantatar Bireshwar Mukherjee1973 Bignam O Bidhata Bimal Roy Jr 1977 Shri Shri Maa Lakshmi Prabhat Chakraborty1982 Agni sambhaba Sushil Majumdar2007 Bandhu Chitto Bos final film role Awards and recognitions EditSangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1960References EditNotes Edit Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna on YouTube accessed 30 August 2017 Citations Edit Seagull Theatre Quarterly Seagull Foundation for the Arts 1998 p 54 Archived from the original on 31 December 2013 Retrieved 31 October 2012 Rekha Menon 1961 Cultural profiles Inter National Cultural Centre p 47 Archived from the original on 1 October 2013 Retrieved 31 October 2012 Ray Satyajit The Odds against Us in Our Films Their Films New York Hyperion 1994 p 61 ISBN 0 7868 6122 3External links EditChhabi Biswas at IMDb Biography and Filmography at Calcuttaweb com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chhabi Biswas amp oldid 1110235218, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
