Shyamal Mitra (1929-1987) was an Indian playback singer, music director, actor, and film producer. He is widely known for creating Bengali and Hindi songs in the Indian Music Industry. Some of his popular songs are “Ami Cheye Cheye Dekhi Saradin” in Deya Neya (1963), “Ami Tomar Kachei Phire Ashbo” in Baluchari (1968), and “Ke Jane Kobe Abar” in Panna Hirey Chunni (1969).
Wiki/Biography
Shyamal Mitra was born on Monday, 14 January 1929 (age 58 years; at the time of death) in Naihati, Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, British India. His zodiac sign is Capricorn. He graduated from Hooghly Mohsin College, Kolkata. Shyamal Mitra left his house and started living in a mess in 1946. He trained in music under Maestro Shudhirlal Chakraborty.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Shyamal Mitra was born in a Bengali Hindu family.
Parents & Siblings
Shyamal Mitra’s father was Dr. Shadhan Kumar Mitra. He was a physician. His mother was Patibhamayee Mitra. He has a younger brother named Salil Mitra.
Wife & Children
Shyamal Mitra married Protima Mitra. They have two sons named Saibal Mitra and Saikat Mitra and a daughter named Monobina. Saikat Mitra is a singer, who primarily sings Bengali songs and Saibal Mitra is a film director, who primarily works in the Bengali film industry.
Shyamal Mitra with Protima Mitra
Shyamal Mitra’s son Saikat Mitra
Shyamal Mitra’s son Saibal Mitra
Shyamal Mitra’s daughter Monobina
Address
He resided at Wedderburn Road, Lake Area, Kolkata.
Signature/Autograph
A signature of Shyamal Mitra
Career
Singer
Bengali Songs
Shyamal Mitra made his debut in playback singing with the song “Bedanar Bhairabi Gaahe” for the film Sunandar Biye (1951) under the guidance of his guru Sudhirlal Chakraborty.
A poster of the film ‘Sunandar Biye’
After Sudhirlal Chakraborty died he recorded “Smriti Tumi Bedonar” in 1952, giving his guru a tribute. Some of his Bengali hit songs are “Emono Din Aste Pare” (1954), “Chipkhan Tindar” (1954), “Sarabela Aji Ke Dake” (1955), “Ami Tomar Pashe” (1955) and “Amar Shwapne Dekha Rajkanya” (1956).
Hindi Songs
Shyamal Mitra made his Hindi song debut with the song “Ik Chotti Si Naukri” in the film Naukari (1954).
A poster of the film ‘Naukari’
Some of his other films in which he sang Hindi songs were Biraj Bahu (1954), Musafir (1957), Amanush (1975), Anand Ashram (1977), and Safed Jhoot (1977).
Music Composer
Shyamal Mitra made his debut as a music composer with the film Lakh Taka (1953). Some of the other films where he composed music were Bhranti Bilash (1963), Trishna (1965), Bibaha Bibhrat (1969), and Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant (1971).
Film Producer
Shyamal Mitra’s first produced film was Deya Neya (1963) under the banner of Rupchaya Chitra.
A poster of the film ‘Deya Neya’
Some of the other films that he produced were Rajkanya (1965), Kheya (1967), and Ami Se O Sakha (1974). Apart from singing modern Bengali and Hindi songs, he has also worked in different forms of singing like Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Children’s songs and devotional songs. He had also sung in Assamese and Oriya language. He experimented with Portuguese Music and the instrument Ukele by singing “Ami Chanderi Saampam Jodi Paai” for the film Dwiper Naam Tiya Rang (1963).
Actor
He made his debut as an actor in the Bengali film Sharey Chuattor (1953). He played the character of a resident at the mess. He has also acted in another film titled Shap Mochan (1955).
Shyamal Mitra in ‘Sharey Chuattor’
Awards
- BFJA Awards – Best Playback Singer for the “Utho Go Bharata Lakshmi” in Apanjan (1968)
- BFJA Awards – Best Music Director Award for Anand Ashram (1978)
Death
Shyamal Mitra died of liver dysfunction, on 15 November 1987.
Favourites
- Food: Mutton Curry with Roti
- Actor: Uttam Kumar
- Sport: Football, Badminton
Facts/Trivia
- He used to smoke and drink alcohol. ((Anandabazar))
- On 21 May 1969, Shyamal Mitra had a car accident at the junction of Rashbehari Avenue and Purna Das Road in Kolkata. While returning home from a concert, Shyamal Mitra and his driver were injured after their car hit the steamroller’s head. They were taken to Shishu Mangal Hospital on Lansdowne Road (now Sarat Bose Road), Kolkata, after the accident. After a few months, Shyamal recovered.
- Shyamal Mitra was associated with All India Radio for a long time. He sang “Subhra Sankha Robe” in their Mahisasur Mardini programme.
- He used to play card games such as Patience, and Rummy at Wedderburn Road, Kolkata.
