Chhabi Biswas

Chhabi Biswas (Chabi Biśbās; 12 July 190011 June 1962) was an Indian actor, primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha's Kabuliwala and Satyajit Ray's films Jalsaghar (The Music Room, 1958), Devi (The Goddess, 1960) and Kanchenjungha.

He is arguably best remembered for his roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, and was himself the scion of a rich and cultured North Kolkata family. 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 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 also had cultural significance, as in the British Raj, it enlightened the Bengali to combine both the hoary tradition and the Anglicised urbanity.

Life and film career 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. He also essayed the role of the singing drunken husband of Sumitra Devi's character in Raj Kapoor's Ek Din Ratre (1956), the same character which was essayed by Motilal in its Hindi version Jagte Raho (1956).

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, while he was driving to his ancestral home in Jagulia, on 11 June 1962. Satyajit Ray later wrote, "I doubt if I could ever make the film Jalsaghar without an actor of the calibre of Chhabi Babu... only a genius like him could portray these myriad emotions. 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."

Filmography Year of release Title Role Director Notes 1936 Annapurnar Mandir Bishu Tinkari Chakraborty 1937 Haranidhi Tinkari Chakraborty 1938 Chokher Bali Bihari Satu Sen 1939 Chanakya Sikandar Sisir Kumar Bhaduri Sharmistha Naresh Mitra 1940 Nimai Sanyasi Nimai Phani Burma Nartaki Swamiji Debaki Bose Swami Stri Satu Sen 1941 Pratisruti Paritosh Hemchandra Chunder Pratishodh Sushil Majumdar Karnarjun Karna Jyotish Bandyopadhyay Epar Opar Ramen Sukumar Dasgupta Banglar Meye Naresh Mitra 1942 Jiban Sangini Naren Choudhury Gunamaya Bannerjee Saugandh Hemchandra Chunder Pashan Devata Sukumar Dasgupta Milan Paresh Jyotish Bannerji Mahakabi Kalidas Niren Lahiri Garmil Mukherjee Niren Lahiri Avayer Biye Sushil Majumdar Shodhbodh Saumyen Mukherji Nari Prafulla Roy Bondi Sailajanand Mukherji Parineeta Pasupati Chatterjee Ashok Ajay Bhattacharya Pativrata Jagadish Chakraborty Mahakavi Kalidas Niren Lahiri 1943 Dwanda Hemen Gupta Dikshul Premankur Atorthy Devar Rabin Jyotish Bannerji Dampati Niren Lahiri Nilanguriya Gunamaya Bannerjee Daabi Dhirendranath Ganguly Aleya Nabendusundar Samadhan Premendra Mitra 1944 Chhadmabeshi Ajay Bhattacharya Matir Ghar Alok Hari Bhanja Pratikar Chhabi Biswas 1945 Bondita Hemanta Gupta Dui Purush Nutu Bihari Subodh Mitra Rajlaxmi Premendra Mitra Path Bendhe Dilo Premendra Mitra Sree Durga Sailajananda Mukherjee Raj Lakshmi Premendra Mitra 1946 Sangram Ardhendu Mukherjee Tumi Aar Aami Apurba Kumar Mitra Prem Ki Duniya Jyotish Bannerjee Mandir Phani Burma Biraj Bou Nilambar Amar Mullick Vande Mataram Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Nibedita Pratibha Sasmal Saat Number Bari Sukumar Dasgupta 1947 Chandrasekhar Chandrasekhar Debaki Bose Abhijog Sushil Majumdar Nurse Sisi Subodh Mitra 1948 Anirban Soumyen Mukherjee Shesh Nibedan Dhirendranath Ganguly Sadharan Meye Niren Lahiri Nandaranir Sansar Surendraranjan Sarkar Shankha Sindur Manujendra Bhanja Umar Prem Khagen Roy Drishtidaan Nitin Bose 1949 Manzoor Subodh Mitra Debi Chowdhurani Satish Dangupta Jar Jetha Ghar Chhabi Biswas Singhdwar Niren Lahiri 1950 Garabini Niren Lahiri Mandanda Ratan Chatterjee Vidyasagar Kali Prasad Ghose Mahasampad Surendraranjan Sarkar 1951 Anurag Jatin Das Kalsap Khagen Roy Maldar Amit Moitra Biplabi Kshudiram Hiranmoy Sen Aparajita Partha Sarathy Drama Durgesh Nandini (1951 film) Katlu Khan Amar Mullick Sunandar Biye Sudhir Sarkar 1952 Ratrir Tapashya Sushil Majumdar Krishnakanter Will Khagen Roy Nirakshar Gunamaya Bannerjee Prarthana Pranab Roy Alladdin-o-ashcharya Pradeep Bijon Sen Kar Pape Kali Prasad Ghose Dr. Bose Jabanbondi Amar Dutta Subhada Haran Chandra Niren Lahiri Vidyasagar Kali Prasad Ghose 1953 Raja Krishnachandra Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Shesher Kabita Abanish Modhu Bose Saat Number Kayedi Sukumar Dasgupta Lakh Taka Niren Lahiri Jog Biyog Pinaki Mukherji Boudir Bon Khagen Roy Sabuj Paharh Apurba Kumar Mitra Baimanik Shyam Chakraborty Blind Lane Sailajananda Mukherjee Makarsar Jaal Pashupati Kundu 1954 Sunil Ganguly Bidhilipi Jagadish Babu Manu Sen Sunil Ganguly Shorashi Jibananda Choudhury Pasupati Chatterjee Sadanander Mela Mamubhai Sukumar Dasgupta Ora Thake Odhare Sukumar Dasgupta Jadubhatta Niren Lahiri Dhuli Pinaki Mukherjee Chheley Kaar Chitta Bose Bhanga Gora Jogen Sushil Majumdar Prafulla Chitta Bose Banglar Nari Sailajananda Mukherjee Naa Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Shobha Niren Lahiri Maa-o-chhele Gunamaya Bannerjee Kalyani Niren Lahiri 1955 Sanjher Pradeep Sudhangsu Mukherjee Rani Rashmoni Rajchandra Das Kali Prasad Ghose Joymakali Boarding Sadhan Sarkar Jharer Pare Debnarayan Gupta Hrad Ardhendu Sen Dasyu Mohan Mr. Shome Ardhendu Mukherjee Sabar Upare Prashanta Chatterjee Agradoot Upahar Sunil's father Tapan Sinha Shribatsa Chinta Phani Burma Prashna Sumitra's Father Chandrasekhar Bose Debi Malini Niren Lahiri Dattak Kamal Ganguly 1955 Kalo Bou Silpi Sangha Katha Kao Sailajananda Mukherjee Pather Sheshey Ardhendu Chatterjee Bhagaban Sree Sree Ramkrishna Mathur Prafulla Chakraborty Drishti Chitta Bose Parishodh Sukumar Dasgupta Joy Maa Kali Boarding Sadhan Sarkar Bratacharini Kamal Ganguly 1956 Kirti Garh Soumyen Mukherjee Shankar Narayan Bank Niren Lahiri Asamapta Ratan Chatterjee Madan Mohan Amal Kumar Bose Putrabadhu Chitta Bose Raat Bhore Mrinal Sen Sinthir Sindoor Ardhendu Sen Trijama Kushal's father Agradoot Suryamukhi Bikash Ray Shubharatri Sushil Majumdar Saheb Bibi Golam Mejobabu Kartick Chattopadhyay Sadhak Ramprosad Bangsi Ash Paradhin Modhu Bose Daner Maryada Amarnath Sushil Majumdar Bhola Master Bhola Master Niren Lahiri Asabarna Pinaki Mukherjee Falgu Satish Dasgupta Rajpath Gunamaya Bannerjee Govindadas Prafulla Chakraborty Mamlar Phal Pasupati Chatterjee Ekdin Ratre Sombhu Mitra Chhaya Sangini Bidyapati Ghosh Taka-ana-pai Jyotirmoy Roy Manraksha Satish Dasgupta 1957 Prithibi Amare Chay Niren Lahiri Adarsha Hindu Hotel Ardhendu Sen Khela Bhangar Khela Ratan Chatterjee Harishchandra Rishi Durbasa Phani Burma Shesh Parichoy Sushil Majumdar Rastar Chhele Chitta Bose Kabuliwala Rahmat the Kabuliwala Tapan Sinha Kancha-mithey Jyotirmoy Roy Garer Math Aaj Production Unit Pathe Holo Deri Mallika's father Agradoot Baksiddha Bireswar Bose Antariksha Rajen Tarafdar Abhoyer Biye Sukumar Dasgupta Kari-o-komal Moni Ghosh Bardidi Ajay Kar Abhishek Chitra Pali Tapasi Chitta Bose Madhabir Jonye Nitin Bose Chhaya Path Gunamaya Bannerjee Mathur Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee Ghum Agrani Sandhan Chitta Sen Natun Prabhat Bikash Ray Surer Parashe Chitta Bose Bara Maa Niren Lahiri Ektara Hiren Bose Nilachaley Mahaprabhu King Gajapati Prataprudradeb Kartick Chattopadhyay 1958 Louha-kapat Tapan Sinha Parash Pathar Guest at Cocktail Party Satyajit Ray Tansen Akbar Niren Lahiri Nagini Kanyar Kahini Salil Sen Daily Passenger Sadhan Sarkar Daktar Babu Bishu Dasgupta Jalsaghar Huzur Biswambhar Roy Satyajit Ray Priya Salil Sen Surya Toran Agradoot Marmabani Sushil Majumdar Sadhak Bamakshyapa Narayan Ghosh (2) Jamalaye Jibanta Manush Prafulla Chakraborty Indrani Niren Lahiri Headmaster Krishna Prasanna (Ex-Head master) Agragami O Amar Desher Mati Pathikrit Nupur Dilip Nag Bandhu Chitta Bose Dhoomketu Gouranga Prasad Basu 1959 Derso Khokhar Kando Kamal Ganguly Gali Thekey Rajpath Prafulla Chakraborty Sonar Harin Mangal Chakraborty Shubha Bibaha Bar-da (Gayatri's father) Sombhu Mitra Sashibabur Sansar Sudhir Mukherjee Mriter Martye Agaman Pasupati Chatterjee Khelaghar Ajay Kar Kshaniker Atithi Tapan Sinha Chaowa Pawa Tarun Majumdar, Yatrik Bicharak Prabhat Mukherjee Chhabi Niren Lahiri Amrapali Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey Nirmal Dey Rater Andhakare Agrani Thakur Haridas Gobinda Ray Bhranti Prafulla Chakraborty Agnisambhabha Sushil Majumdar 1960 Devi zamindar Kali Kinkar Roy Satyajit Ray Smriti Tuku Thaak Shova's father Tarun Majumdar Shesh Paryanta Sudhir Mukherjee Tailangaswami Chitrasarathi Shuno Baranari Ajay Kar Raja-saja Bikash Ray Nader Nimai Bimal Roy Jr. Maya Mriga Chitta Bose Kshudhita Pashan Tapan Sinha Hospital Sushil Majumdar Surer Piyasi Bishu Dasgupta Haat Baralei Bandhu Sukumar Dasgupta Gariber Meye Ardhendu Mukherjee Sakher Chor Prafulla Chakraborty Debarshi Narader Sansar Panchaboot Ajana Kahini Sunil Baran Chupi Chupi Ase Beni (Inspector Ghosh) Premendra Mitra 1961 Bishkanya Shri Jayadratha Kanchanmulya Nirmal Mitra Saptapadi Krishnendu's father Ajay Kar Maa Chitta Bose Manik Bijoli Baran Sen Dainee Manoj Bhattacharya Carey Saheber Munshi Bikash Ray Agni Sanskar Agradoot Madhya Rater Tara Pinaki Mukherjee Madhureno Shanti Bannerjee Kancher Swarga Tarun Majumdar Ashay Bandhinu Ghar Kanak Mukherjee Necklace Dilip Nag Swayambara Asit Sen 1962 Mayar Sansar Kanak Mukherjee Bodhu Bhupen Roy Sorry Madam Dilip Bose Kancher Swarga Judge Tarun Majumdar Kanchenjungha Indranath Chowdhury Satyajit Ray Agnisikha Rajen Tarafdar Bipasha Saradindu Chatterjee Agradoot Shubhoddristi Chitta Bose Dhupchhaya Chitta Bose Dada Thakur Dada Thakur Sudhir Mukherjee Suryasnan Ajay Kumar Atal Jaler Ahwan Mr. Chowdhury Ajay Kar Shiulibari Pijush Bose Kajal Sunil Bannerjee 1963 High Heel Dilip Bose Surya Sikha Salil Dutta Chhakka Panja Prafulla Roy 1964 Kantatar Bireshwar Mukherjee 1973 Bignam O Bidhata Bimal Roy Jr. 1977 Shri Shri Maa Lakshmi Prabhat Chakraborty 1982 Agni Sambhaba Sushil Majumdar 2007 Bandhu Chitta Basu (final film role)

Awards and recognitions Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1960