Source:Wikipedia
Shyamal Mitra (14 January 1929 – 15 November 1987) was an Indian music composer, singer and film producer. Along with Hemanta Mukherjee and Manna Dey, he was the most notable musician of the golden era of Bengali music industry. His baritone voice reflected a range of emotions. Beside recording a huge number of popular Bengali basic songs, he also worked as a playback singer in more than a hundred Bengali movies and directed music in more than fifty Bengali films. He also sang in various other Indian languages, like Hindi, Assamese and Oriya.
Early life
Shyamal Mitra was born in Naihati, a city near Kolkata, India. Their native village was Patul, near Seakhala.His father, Dr. Sadhan Kumar Mitra, was a reputed doctor there. The father wanted his son to follow in his footsteps and to become a doctor, but the son was very keen about music and was always inspired by his mother and the local singer Mrinal Kanti Ghosh. People associated with the I.P.T.A. movement used to visit Sadhan-babu's house and this gave the chance to young Shyamal Mitra to come in contact with Salil Chowdhury. Young Shyamal Mitra and his youngest sister Reba used to sing "O Aalor Pathajatree" on the road for I.P.T.A.
Shyamal Mitra went to Hooghly Mohsin College, then affiliated with the University of Calcutta, for his graduation degree. There he met Satinath Mukhopadhyay, another prominent exponent of modern music. Satinath inspired him. Then Shyamal Mitra came to Kolkata and met Sudhirlal Chackraborty. That was the turning point of his life. He started struggling till he got a chance to playback in "Sunandar Biye" with Supriti Ghosh in 1949, and recorded his first basic songs from H.M.V. under the supervision of Sudhirlal Chackraborty. After the sad demise of Sudhirlal Chackraborty in 1952, he recorded "Smriti Tumi Bedonar". That was the turning point and he never looked back after that. He became one of the leading singers and composers of the country.
Journey as musician
Shyamal Mitra started working as a singer and music composer for the Bengali music industry. During the fifties and early sixties he composed music for hit films like Joy Maa Kali Boarding, Jamalaye Jibonto Manush, and Bhranti Bilash. During this period he also worked as playback singer in many Bengali films.
In 1963, he produced a film called Deya Neya,another milestone of his career. Then he produced more films like Rajkanya, Kheya, and Ami Se O Sakha. He was also the distributor and producer of "Garh Nasimpur".
Shyamal Mitra went to Mumbai in the early fifties with Salil Chowdhury. He worked in three films: Musafer, Biraj Bou, and Naukri. In 1973, he again went to Mumbai. He worked in Shakti Samanta's films, like Amanush, Anand Ashram, F.C.Mehra's film Bandi, Basu Chatterjee’s films like Safed Jhoot, and Mamta. He came back to Kolkata again and created many hit tracks in both Bengali basic and film songs.
Shyamal Mitra had a long association with All India Radio. He also sang in the famous Mahisasura Mardini programme of All India Radio. That song was "Subhra aankhi robe" with co-artists Arati Mukherjee and Ashima Mukherjee.
Beside modern Bengali songs and film songs, Shyamal Mitra worked with many other different forms of Bengali music like Rabindrasangeet, Nazrul Geeti, "Chotoder Gaan", and Atul Prasadi. As a music composer, he also worked in a Yatra Pala called "Bibi Anondomoyee".
As a music composer, Shyamal Mitra worked with many major artists like Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Tarun Bandyopadhyay, Dhananjay Bhattacharya, Pratima Bandyopadhyay, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Ila Basu, Supriti Ghosh, Gayatri Basu, Talat Mahmood and Kishore Kumar.
As an actor, Shyamal Mitra, worked in Bengali movies like Sharey Chuattar and Saapmochan.
Shyamal Mitra died on 15 November 1987, leaving behind his wife Protima Mitra, son Saibal Mitra and Saikat Mitra, daughter Monobina. His son Saikat has his singing legacy with him, who has become a star bengali singer singing Shyamal Mitra's songs.
The Bengali audience will never forget his songs like "Tomar Samadhi Phule Phule Dhaka", "Gaane Bhubon Bhoriye Debe", "Amar Sopne Dekha Rajkonyya", "Ami Tomar Kachei Phire Ashbo", "Ke Jane Kobe Abar", "O Mon Kokhon Suru", "Tinti Montro Niye Jader Jibon", "O Shimul Bon", "Emono Din Ashte Pare", "Sediner Sona Jhora Sondha", "Naam Rakhechi Bonolata", "Ei Sundor Prithibi Chere", and many others.
Shyamal Mitra as music composer
Film Name Year
Lakh Taka 1953
Joy Maa Kali Boarding 1955
Jamalaye Jibonto Manush 1958
Deli Passenger 1958
Bhranti 1959
Sokher Chor 1960
Hashi Sudhu Hashi Noi 1963
Bhranti Bilash 1963
Deya Neya 1963
Saptarshi 1964
Trishna 1965
Rajkanya 1965
Kheya 1967
Hotath Dekha 1967
Gor Nashimpur 1968
Bibaha Bibhrat 1969
Duranta Charai 1969
Samantaral 1970
Padmagolap 1970
Pratibad 1971
Janani 1971
Jiban Jiggasha 1971
Bhanu Goyenda Jahar Assistant 1971
Andha Atit 1972
Banpalashir Padabali 1973
Chithi 1973
Amanush 1974
Phulu Thakurma 1975
Ami Se O Sokha 1975
Rajbangsha 1977
Ajashra Dhonnyobad 1977
Jaal Sanyashi 1977
Anand Ashram 1977
Bandi 1978
Nishan 1978
Dhanraj Tamang 1978
Priyatama 1980
Khana Baraha 1981
Bandi Balaka 1981
Kalankini 1981
Maayer Ashirbaad 1982
Maatir Sorgo 1982
Songsarer Itikotha 1983
Kenaram Becharam 1986
Mohamilan 1987
Ekaki 1990
Shyamal Mitra as playback singer
Film Name Year
Sunandaar Biye 1951
Antaraal 1965
Aakashpradeep 1963
Asamaptaa 1956
Aabak Prithivi 1959
Onno Maati Onno Rong 1971
Angikaar 1966
Abhaya O Shrikanto 1965
Oshru Diye Lekha 1966
Agnisikha 1962
Andhar Surya 1969
Alo Andhare 1974
Bodhubaran 1967
Baaluchori 1968
Bhagya 1971
Bhagabaan ShriShriRamakrishna 1955
Bhanu Pelo Lottery 1958
Chutir Ghonta 1976
Deep Nebhe Nai 1964
Dashhu Mohan 1955
Dwiper Naam Tiarang 1963
Dersho Khokaar Kando 1959
Eaktaara 1957
E Johor Se Johor Noy 1959
Hangshamithun 1968
Cheenamukh / Kaantataar 1964
Kamallata 1969
Kaajal 1962
Kostipathar 1964
Kothin Maaya 1961
Keri Saheber Munshi 1961
Kono Eakdin 1960
Kichukhhon 1959
Krishnarjun 1982
Laalpathor 1964
Maahut Bondhure 1959
Maayar Songsaar 1962
Muktisnaan 1970
Mohalogno 1965
Maamlar Phol 1956
Noder Nimai 1960
Nirdharito Silpir Onuposthitite 1959
Nishipadma 1970
Nokol Sona 1973
Prostor Sakhhor 1967
Pandober Bonobaas 1966
Panna Hire Chuni 1969
Roktorekha 1968
Rajodrohi 1966
Raat Bhore 1955
Ruposhi 1970
Saapmochon 1955
Sagarika 1956
SriKrishna Sudama 1955
Sindur 1957
Sashibabur Songsaar 1959
Silalipi -
Sunobaranari 1960
Sohorer Itikotha 1960
Sona Boudi 1970
Saraswatir Protigga -
Taa Hole 1964
Upohaar 1955
Utsorgo 1983
Mondomodhur 1981
Nishitrishna 1978
Aami Ratan 1979
Noya Michil 1972
Daabi 1974
Bonpalashir Podaboli 1972
Ogo Suncho 1957
Bonjotsna 1969
Sachimaar Songsaar 1971
Biraaj Bou 1972
Ekadoshi -
Tir Bhanga Dheu 1977
Roktojoba 1985
Sare Chuattor 1953
G T Road 1979
Behula Lokhindor 1977
Bhagyalipi 1979
Dub De Mon Kali Bole 1979
Haashitukui Thaak -
Sondhay Surya -
Bhorer Kuasha -
Baari Theke Paliye 1959
Mriter Morte Agomon 1959
Shakuntala 1971
Archana 1972
Chupi Chupi -
Aapanjan 1968
Maatir Putul -
Maa O Meye 1969
Raajpurush 1987
Prithibi Amare Chai 1957
Sei Chookh 1976
Omor Prem -
Jibon Moron 1983
Surer Poroshe 1957
Punormilan 1957
Aparadhi 1988
Aamader Desh
Dui Bondhu
