Chhabi Biswas

Chhabi Biswas  

Chhabi Biswas  
Born 12 July 1900
Ahiritola, Kolkata, West Bengal  
Died 11 June 1962 (aged 61)
Kolkata, West Bengal  
Occupation Actor  
Years active 1931 to 1962
Chhabi Biswas (Bengali: ছবি বিশ্বাস Chhobi Bishshash) (12 July 1900 – 11 June 1962)[1] was a Bengali character 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).
He is the best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, 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
  [hide]
1 Life and film career
2 Filmography
3 Awards and recognitions
4 References
5 External links
Life and film career[edit]
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 got into amateur theatrics and got in touch with Sisir Kumar Bhaduri, the legendary star of Bengali theatre. The young actor was deeply impressed by Sisir Kumar’s histrionic abilities and he got 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 a much 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.
Chhabi Biswas died in an automobile accident on 11 June 1962. After Biswas's demise in 1962, Satyajit Ray admitted that he did not write a single male middle-aged part that called for a high degree of professional talent.
Filmography[edit]

Film (year) Director Role  
Annapurnar Mandir (1936) Tinkari Chakraborty Actor  
Haranidhi (1937) Tinkari Chakraborty Actor  
Chokher Bali (1938) Satu Sen Actor  
Chanakya (1939) Sisir Kumar Bhaduri Actor  
Sharmistha (1939) Naresh Mitra Actor  
Nartaki (1940) Debaki Bose Actor  
Nimai Sanyasi (1940) Phani Burma Actor  
Swami Stri (1940) Satu Sen Actor  
Pratisruti (1941) Hemchandra Chunder Actor  
Pratishodh (1941) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Banglar Meye (1941) Naresh Mitra Actor  
Epar Opar (1941) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Pashan Devata (1942) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Shodhbodh (1942) Saumyen Mukherji Actor  
Avayer Biye (1942) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Nari (1942) Prafulla Roy Actor  
Karnarjun (1942) Jyotish Bannerji Actor  
Jiban Sangini (1942) Gunamaya Bannerjee Actor  
Garmil (1942) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Bondi (1942) Sailajanand Mukherji Actor  
Parineeta (1942) Pasupati Chatterjee Actor  
Saugandh (1942) Hemchandra Chunder Actor  
Mahakabi Kalidas (1942) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Ashok (1942) Ajay Bhattacharya Actor  
Pativrata (1942) Jagadish Chakraborty Actor  
Mahakavi Kalidas (1942) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Milan (1942) Jyotish Bannerji Actor  
Nilanguriya (1943) Gunamaya Bannerjee Actor  
Dikshul (1943) Premankur Atorthy Actor  
Devar (1943) Jyotish Bannerji Actor  
Daabi (1943) Dhirendranath Ganguly Actor  
Dwanda (1943) Hemen Gupta Actor  
Dampati (1943) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Aleya (1943) Nabendusundar Actor  
Samadhan (1943) Premendra Mitra Actor  
Chhadmabeshi (1944) Ajay Bhattacharya Actor  
Pratikar (1944) Chhabi Biswas Actor, Director  
Matir Ghar 1944 Hari Bhanja Actor  
Dui Purush (1945) Subodh Mitra Actor  
Path Bendhe Dilo (1945) Premendra Mitra Actor  
Bondita (1945) Hemanta Gupta Actor  
Sree Durga (1945) Sailajananda Mukherjee Actor  
Raj Lakshmi (1945) Premendra Mitra Actor  
Vande Mataram (1946) Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Actor  
Nibedita (1946) Pratibha Sasmal Actor  
Sangram (1946) Ardhendu Mukherjee Actor  
Saat Number Bari (1946) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Tumi Aar Aami (1946) Apurba Kumar Mitra Actor  
Biraj Bou (1946) Amar Mullick Actor  
Mandir (1947) Phani Burma Actor  
Chandrasekhar (1947) Debaki Bose Actor  
Nurse Sisi (1947) Subodh Mitra Actor  
Abhijog (1947) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Anirban (1948) Soumyen Mukherjee Actor  
Nandaranir Sansar (1948) Surendraranjan Sarkar Actor  
Shesh Nibedan (1948) Dhirendranath Ganguly Actor  
Shankha Sindur (1948) Manujendra Bhanja Actor  
Umar Prem (1948) Khagen Roy Actor  
Sadharan Meye (1948) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Drishtidaan (1948) Nitin Bose Actor  
Manzoor (1949) Subodh Mitra Actor  
Debi Chowdhurani (1949) Satish Dangupta Actor  
Jar Jetha Ghar (1949) Chhabi Biswas Actor, Director  
Singhdwar (1949) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Vidyasagar (1950) Kali Prasad Ghose Actor  
Garabini (1950) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Mandanda (1950) Ratan Chatterjee Actor  
Mahasampad (1950) Surendraranjan Sarkar Actor  
Anurag (1951) Jatin Das Actor  
Kalsap (1951) Khagen Roy Actor  
Maldar (1951) Amit Moitra Actor  
Biplabi Kshudiram (1951) Hiranmoy Sen Actor  
Aparajita (1951) Partha Sarathy Drama Actor  
Durgesh Nandini (1951) Amar Mullick Actor  
Sunandar Biye (1951) Sudhir Sarkar Actor  
Ratrir Tapashya (1952) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Krishnakanter Will (1952) Khagen Roy Actor  
Nirakshar (1952) Gunamaya Bannerjee Actor  
Prarthana (1952) Pranab Roy Actor  
Alladdin-o-ashcharya Pradeep (1952) Bijon Sen Actor  
Vidyasagar (1952) Kali Prasad Ghose Actor  
Kar Pape (1952) Kali Prasad Ghose Actor  
Jabanbondi (1952) Amar Dutta Actor  
Subhada (1952) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Sati Behula (1953) Sunil Ganguly Actor  
Raja Krishnachandra (1953) Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Actor  
Jog Biyog (1953) Pinaki Mukherji Actor  
Boudir Bon (1953) Khagen Roy Actor  
Sabuj Paharh (1953) Apurba Kumar Mitra Actor  
Saat Number Kayedi (1953) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Baimanik (1953) Shyam Chakraborty Actor  
Blind Lane (1953) Sailajananda Mukherjee Actor  
Shesher Kabita (1953) Modhu Bose Actor  
Lakh Taka (1953) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Makarsar Jaal (1953) Pashupati Kundu Actor  
Prafulla (1954) Chitta Bose Actor  
Jadubhatta (1954) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Bhanga-gara (1954) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Banglar Nari (1954) Sailajananda Mukherjee Actor  
Ora Thake Odhare (1954) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Naa (1954) Shri Tarashankar Actor  
Dhuli (1954) Pinaki Mukherjee Actor  
Shobha (1954) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Shorashi (1954) Pasupati Chatterjee Actor  
Chhele Kar (1954) Chitta Bose Actor  
Maa-o-chhele (1954) Gunamaya Bannerjee Actor  
Kalyani (1954) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Sadanander Mela (1954) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Bidhilipi (1955) Manu Sen Actor  
Debi Malini (1955) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Dattak (1955) Kamal Ganguly Actor  
Kalo Bou (1955) Silpi Sangha Actor  
Rani Rashmoni (1955) Kali Prasad Ghose Actor  
Katha Kao (1955) Sailajananda Mukherjee Actor  
Pather Sheshey (1955) Ardhendu Chatterjee Actor  
Sanjher Pradeep (1955) Sudhangsu Mukherjee Actor  
Prashna (1955) Chandrasekhar Bose Actor  
Hrad (1955) Ardhendu Sen Actor  
Shribatsa Chinta (1955) Phani Burma Actor  
Bhagaban Sree Sree Ramkrishna (1955) Prafulla Chakraborty Mathur[3][4]  
Drishti (1955) Chitta Bose Actor  
Upahar (1955) Tapan Sinha Actor  
Parishodh (1955) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Joy Maa Kali Boarding (1955) Sadhan Sarkar Actor  
Bratacharini (1955) Kamal Ganguly Actor  
Jharer Pare (1955) Debnarayan Gupta Actor  
Sabar Upare (1955) Agradoot Actor  
Falgu (1956) Satish Dasgupta Actor  
Asamapta (1956) Ratan Chatterjee Actor  
Trijama (1956) Agradoot Actor  
Rajpath (1956) Gunamaya Bannerjee Actor  
Shankar Narayan Bank (1956) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Govindadas (1956) Prafulla Chakraborty Actor  
Asabarna (1956) Pinaki Mukherjee Actor  
Kabuliwala (1956) Tapan Sinha Actor  
Daner Maryada (1956) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Mamlar Phal (1956) Pasupati Chatterjee Actor  
Madan Mohan (1956) Amal Kumar Bose Actor  
Raat Bhore (1956) Mrinal Sen Actor  
Ekdin Ratre (1956) Sombhu Mitra Actor  
Chhaya Sangini (1956) Bidyapati Ghosh Actor  
Bhola Master (1956) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Shubharatri (1956) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Sadhak Ramprosad (1956) Bangsi Ash Actor  
Suryamukhi (1956) Bikash Ray Actor  
Saheb Bibi Golam (1956) Kartick Chattopadhyay Actor  
Putrabadhu (1956) Chitta Bose Actor  
Taka-ana-pai (1956) Jyotirmoy Roy Actor  
Paradhin (1956) Modhu Bose Actor  
Sinthir Sindoor (1956) Ardhendu Sen Actor  
Kirti Garh (1956) Soumyen Mukherjee Actor  
Manraksha (1956) Satish Dasgupta Actor  
Kari-o-komal (1957) Moni Ghosh Actor  
Bardidi (1957) Ajay Kar Actor  
Abhishek (1957) Chitra Pali Actor  
Adarsha Hindu Hotel (1957) Ardhendu Sen Actor  
Parash Pathar (1957) Satyajit Ray Actor  
Tapasi (1957) Chitta Bose Actor  
Prithibi Amare Chay (1957) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Shesh Parichoy (1957) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Madhabir Jonye (1957) Nitin Bose Actor  
Chhaya Path (1957) Gunamaya Bannerjee Actor  
Antariksha (1957) Rajen Tarafdar Actor  
Mathur (1957) Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Actor  
Ghum (1957) Agrani Actor  
Pathe Holo Deri (1957) Agradoot Actor  
Kancha-mithey (1957) Jyotirmoy Roy Actor  
Baksiddha (1957) Bireswar Bose Actor  
Khela Bhangar Khela (1957) Ratan Chatterjee Actor  
Sandhan (1957) Chitta Sen Actor  
Natun Prabhat (1957) Bikash Ray Actor  
Rastar Chhele (1957) Chitta Bose Actor  
Surer Parashe (1957) Chitta Bose Actor  
Bara Maa (1957) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Ektara (1957) Hiren Bose Actor  
Louha-kapat (1957) Tapan Sinha Actor  
Harishchandra (1957) Phani Burma Actor  
Garer Math (1957) Aaj Production Unit Actor  
Abhoyer Biye (1957) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Nilachaley Mahaprabhu (1957) Kartick Chattopadhyay Actor  
Marmabani (1958) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Tansen (1958) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Indrani (1958) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Nagini Kanyar Kahini (1958) Salil Sen Actor  
Daily Passenger (1958) Sadhan Sarkar Actor  
O Amar Desher Mati (1958) Pathikrit Actor  
Jamalaye Jibanta Manush (1958) Prafulla Chakraborty Actor  
Nupur (1958) Dilip Nag Actor  
Jalsaghar (1958) Satyajit Ray Drama Actor  
Bandhu (1958) Chitta Bose Actor  
Surya Toran (1958) Agradoot Actor  
Sadhak Bamakshyapa (1958) Narayan Ghosh (2) Actor  
Headmaster (1958) Agragami Actor  
Chaowa Pawa (1958) Tarun Majumdar, Yatrik Actor  
Priya (1958) Salil Sen Actor  
Dhoomketu (1958) Gouranga Prasad Basu Actor  
Sashibabur Sansar (1959) Sudhir Mukherjee Actor  
Kshaniker Atithi (1959) Tapan Sinha Actor  
Chhabi (1959) Niren Lahiri Actor  
Amrapali (1959) Shri Tarashankar Actor  
Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey (1959) Nirmal Dey Actor  
Gali Theke Rajpath (1959) Prafulla Chakraborty Actor  
Mriter Martye Agaman (1959) Pasupati Chatterjee Actor  
Shubha Bibaha (1959) Sombhu Mitra Actor  
Khelaghar (1959) Ajay Kar Actor  
Sonar Harin (1959) Mangal Chakraborty Actor  
Rater Andhakare (1959) Agrani Actor  
Thakur Haridas (1959) Gobinda Ray Actor  
Derso Khokhar Kando (1959) Kamal Ganguly Actor  
Bicharak (1959) Prabhat Mukherjee Actor  
Bhranti (1959) Prafulla Chakraborty Actor  
Agnisambhabha (1959) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Nrityeri Tale Tale (1959) Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Actor  
Kshudista Pashan (1960) Tapan Sinha Actor  
Gariber Meye (1960) Ardhendu Mukherjee Actor  
Nader Nimai (1960) Bimal Roy Jr. Actor  
Hospital (1960) Sushil Majumdar Actor  
Shesh Paryanta (1960) Sudhir Mukherjee Actor  
Shuno Baranari (1960) Ajay Kar Actor  
Tailangaswami (1960) Chitrasarathi Actor  
Maya Mriga (1960) Chitta Bose Actor  
Smriti Tuku Thaak (1960) Tarun Majumdar Actor  
Raja-saja (1960) Bikash Ray Actor  
Surer Piyasi (1960) Bishu Dasgupta Actor  
Haat Baralei Bandhu (1960) Sukumar Dasgupta Actor  
Sakher Chor (1960) Prafulla Chakraborty Actor  
Debarshi Narader Sansar (1960) Panchaboot Actor  
Ajana Kahini (1960) Sunil Baran Actor  
Chupi Chupi Ase (1960) Premendra Mitra Actor  
Devi (1960) Satyajit Ray Actor  
Carey Saheber Munsi (1961) Bikash Ray Actor  
Manik (1961) Bijoli Baran Sen Actor  
Agni Sanskar (1961) Agradoot Actor  
Madhya Rater Tara (1961) Pinaki Mukherjee Actor  
Madhureno (1961) Shanti Bannerjee Actor  
Kanchanmulya (1961) Nirmal Mitra Actor  
Kancher Swarga (1961) Tarun Majumdar Actor  
Saptapadi (1961) Ajay Kar Actor  
Ashay Bandhinu Ghar (1961) Kanak Mukherjee Actor  
Necklace (1961) Dilip Nag Actor  
Maa (1961) Chitta Bose Actor  
Swayambara (1961) Asit Sen Actor  
Bishkanya (1961) Shri Jayadratha Actor  
Dainee (1961) Manoj Bhattacharya Actor  
Dada Thakur (1962) Sudhir Mukherjee Actor  
Kanchenjungha (1962) Satyajit Ray Actor  
Shubhoddristi (1962) Chitta Bose Actor  
Bipasha (1962) Agradoot Actor  
Bodhu (1962) Bhupen Roy Actor  
Suryasnan (1962) Ajay Kumar Actor  
Atal Jaler Ahwan (1962) Ajay Kar Actor  
Sorry Madam (1962) Dilip Bose Actor  
Shiulibari (1962) Pijush Bose Actor  
Agnisikha (1962) Rajen Tarafdar Actor  
Dhupchhaya (1962) Chitta Bose Actor  
Mayar Sansar (1962) Kanak Mukherjee Actor  
Kajal (1962) Sunil Bannerjee Actor  
Surya Sikha (1963) Salil Dutta Actor  
High Heel (1963) Dilip Bose Actor  
Chhakka Panja (1963) Prafulla Roy Actor  
Kantatar (1964) Bireshwar Mukherjee Actor  
Bignam O Bidhata (1973) Bimal Roy Jr. Actor  
Shri Shri Maa Lakshmi (1977) Prabhat Chakraborty Actor
Awards and recognitions[edit]
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1960