Shyamal Mitra


Shyamal Mitra was an Indian playback singer, music director, and film producer. He worked extensively in both Hindi and Bengali cinema and was regarded as one of the notable figures of the golden era of the Bengali music industry, alongside Hemanta Mukherjee, Kishore Kumar, Manabendra Mukhopadhyay, Manna Dey and other bengali singers.
Mitra's baritone voice was known for its expressive quality and wide emotional range. In addition to recording a large number of Bengali modern songs, he contributed as a playback singer in more than one hundred Bengali films and composed music for over fifty films. He also lent his voice to songs in other Indian languages, including Hindi, Assamese, and Oriya.

Early life

Shyamal Mitra was born into a Bengali Kayastha family in Naihati, a city near Kolkata, India. His ancestral village was Patul, near Seakhala. His father, Sadhan Kumar Mitra, was a well-known doctor in Naihati who wished his son to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor. However, Shyamal Mitra was deeply inclined towards music, drawing inspiration from his mother and from local singer Mrinal Kanti Ghosh. The family home was a meeting place for individuals associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association, which enabled young Mitra to come in contact with Salil Chowdhury. Shyamal Mitra and his youngest sister Reba often performed the song "O Aalor Pathajatree" on the streets in support of IPTA activities.
Mitra pursued his graduate studies at Hooghly Mohsin College, then affiliated with the University of Calcutta. There, he came under the influence of Satinath Mukhopadhyay, a noted exponent of modern Bengali music, who encouraged him to pursue his musical interests. Later, after moving to Kolkata, he met Sudhirlal Chakraborty, which became a turning point in his career.
Mitra initially faced struggles but received his first opportunity as a playback singer in Sunandar Biye, alongside Supriti Ghosh and Pratima Bandyopadhyay. Around the same time, he recorded his first modern songs under the His Master's Voice label, under the guidance of Sudhirlal Chakraborty. Following the death of Chakraborty in 1952, Mitra recorded "Smriti Tumi Bedonar", which marked a significant breakthrough in his career. Thereafter, he emerged as one of the leading singers and composers of Bengal.

Career

Shyamal Mitra began his career as a singer and music composer in the Bengali music industry. During the 1950s and early 1960s, he composed music for successful films such as Joy Maa Kali Boarding, Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, and Bhranti Bilas. During this period, he also contributed as a playback singer in numerous Bengali films.
In 1963, Mitra produced the film Deya Neya, which marked another milestone in his career. He later produced films such as Rajkanya, Kheya, and Ami Se O Sakha. He was also the producer and distributor of Garh Nasimpur.
In the early 1950s, Mitra travelled to Mumbai with Salil Chowdhury, where he worked in the films Musafer, Biraj Bou, and Naukri. He returned to Mumbai in 1973 and collaborated with director Shakti Samanta in films such as Amanush and Anand Ashram. He also worked in F. C. Mehra's Bandi and Basu Chatterjee's Safed Jhoot and Mamta. Subsequently, he returned to Kolkata and continued to compose and sing many popular Bengali modern and film songs.
Mitra maintained a long association with All India Radio, where he performed in various programmes, including the annual Mahisasuramardini. In that broadcast, he sang "Subhra Sankha Robe" along with Arati Mukhopadhyay and Ashima Mukherjee.
Apart from modern Bengali songs and film music, Mitra also contributed to other forms of Bengali music, including Rabindrasangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Chotoder Gaan, and Atul Prasadi. As a composer, he also worked in the "Jatra Pala Bibi Anandomoyee".
Mitra collaborated with many prominent singers, including Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Tarun Bandyopadhyay, Dhananjay Bhattacharya, Pratima Bandyopadhyay, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Ila Basu, Supriti Ghosh, Gayatri Basu, Utpala Sen, Alpana Banerjee, Manabendra Mukhopadhyay, Talat Mahmood, and Kishore Kumar.
As an actor, he appeared in Bengali films such as Sharey Chuattor and Shap Mochan.

Death and legacy

Shyamal Mitra died on 15 November 1987. He was survived by his wife, Protima Mitra, two sons, Saibal Mitra and Saikat Mitra, and a daughter, Monobina. His son Saikat later followed in his footsteps and became a noted Bengali singer, performing many of his father's songs.

As music composer

The following is a list of films for which Shyamal Mitra composed music:
YearFilm
1953Lakh Taka
1955Joy Maa Kali Boarding
1958Jamalaye Jibanta Manush
1958Deli Passenger
1959Bhranti
1960Sokher Chor
1963Hashi Sudhu Hashi Noi
1963Bhranti Bilas
1963Deya Neya
1964Saptarshi
1965Trishna
1965Rajkanya
1967Kheya
1967Hotath Dekha
1968Garh Nasimpur
1969Bibaha Bibhrat
1969Duranta Charai
1970Samantaral
1970Padmagolap
1971Pratibad
1971Janani
1971Jiban Jiggasha
1971Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant
1972Andha Atit
1973Bon Palashir Padabali
1973Chithi
1974Amanush
1975Phulu Thakurma
1975Ami Se O Sokha
1977Rajbangsha
1977Ajashra Dhonnyobad
1977Jaal Sanyashi
1977Anand Ashram
1978Bandi
1978Nishan
1978Dhanraj Tamang
1980Priyatama
1981Khana Baraha
1981Bandi Balaka
1981Kalankini Kankabati
1982Maayer Ashirbaad
1982Maatir Sorgo
1983Songsarer Itikotha
1986Kenaram Becharam
1987Mohamilan
1990Ekaki

As playback singer

YearFilm
1951Sunandaar Biye
1953Sare Chuattor
1955Bhagabaan Shri Shri Ramakrishna
1955Dashhu Mohan
1955Raat Bhore
1955Saapmochon
1955Sri Krishna Sudama
1955Upohaar
1956Sagarika
1956Asamaptaa
1956Maamlar Phol
1957Sindur
1957Eaktaara
1957Ogo Suncho
1957Prithibi Amare Chai
1957Surer Poroshe
1957Punormilan
1958Bhanu Pelo Lottery
1959Aabak Prithivi
1959Dersho Khokaar Kando
1959E Johor Se Johor Noy
1959Kichukhhon
1959Maahut Bondhure
1959Nirdharito Silpir Onuposthitite
1959Baari Theke Paliye
1959Mriter Morte Agomon
1960Kono Eakdin
1960Sunobaranari
1960Sohorer Itikotha
1960Chupi Chupi Aashey
1961Kothin Maaya
1961Keri Saheber Munshi
1962Maayar Songsaar
1962Kaajal
1962Agnisikha
1963Dwiper Naam Tiarang
1963Aakashpradeep
1964Deep Nebhe Nai
1964Cheenamukh / Kaantataar
1964Kostipathar
1964Laalpathor
1964Taa Hole
1965Abhaya O Shrikanto
1965Antaraal
1965Mohalogno
1966Oshru Diye Lekha
1966Angikaar
1966Pandober Bonobaas
1966Rajodrohi
1967Bodhubaran
1967Prostor Sakhhor
1968Aapanjan
1968Baaluchori
1968Hangshamithun
1969Kamallata
1969Panna Hire Chuni
1969Andhar Surya
1969Bonjotsna
1969Maa O Meye
1970Muktisnaan
1970Nishipadma
1970Ruposhi
1970Sona Boudi
1971Onno Maati Onno Rong
1971Bhagya
1971Sachimaar Songsaar
1971Shakuntala
1972Noya Michil
1972Bonpalashir Podaboli
1972Archana
1972Biraaj Bou
1973Nokol Sona
1974Alo Andhare
1974Daabi
1976Chutir Ghonta
1976Sei Chookh
1977Tir Bhanga Dheu
1977Behula Lokhindor
1978Nishitrishna
1979G T Road
1979Bhagyalipi
1979Dub De Mon Kali Bole
1979Aami Ratan
1981Mondomodhur
1983Utsorgo
1983Jibon Moron
1984Silalipi
1985Roktojoba
1987Raajpurush
1988Aparadhi
—Omor Prem
—Aamader Desh
—Saraswatir Protigga
—Ekadoshi
—Haashitukui Thaak
—Sondhay Surya
—Bhorer Kuasha
—Maatir Putul
—Dui Bondhu