Hemanga Biswas

Hemanga Biswas (Bengali/, ; 14 December 1912 – 22 November 1987) was an Indian singer, composer, author and political activist, known for his literature in Bengali and Assamese, advocacy of peoples music, drawing from genres of folk music, including Bhatiali originally popular among the fishermen of Bengal.

Early life Biswas was born in a Bengali Hindu family of Habiganj, Sylhet, British India (now in Bangladesh) on 14 December 1912 to Harakumar and Sarojini Biswas. He went to the Middle English School in Habiganj. He studied at the George Institution of Dibrugarh from 1925 to 1927 when Nilmoni Phukan was its headmaster. There he became interested in Assamese culture. He attended Habiganj Government High School in 1930. He also studied in MC College, Sylhet from 1930 to 1931. Biswas embraced the values of communism during his college years and wrote poems and plays on equal rights. During this time he started performing "gana sangeet." He did not complete his formal education. Biswas became involved in a movement to ensure the rights of tea garden laborers, farmers, and the underprivileged throughout the region. For his political convictions, he was arrested in 1930. He was also associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association. He married Ranu Dutta, a high school teacher, in 1959. Their son, Moinak Biswas (professor of Film Studies at Jadavpur University & filmmaker), was born in 1960 and their daughter, Rongili Biswas (a writer & professor of Economics) was born in 1967.

Musical work Hemanga with Debabrata Biswas, Omar Sheikh, Niranjan Sen and others. Hemanga Biswas was responsible for a number of popular Bengali songs. A fierce debate once ensued between Salil Choudhury and him on the method of translating the ideal of people's art:

He sang a duet with Bhupen Hazarika, Debabrata Biswas and Pete Seeger. Through his music, he had hoped to motivate the masses to fight for their rights, for them to be united, and for them to be vocal against any form of corruption. His beliefs in equal rights for all led him to repeatedly try to request and urge the then Congress Government headed by Siddhartha Shankar Roy to extend a helping hand to the labour class people. Banchbo Re Banchbo Amra was composed to motivate the laborers to improve their standard of living. His translation of The Internationale into Bengali and his singing of such songs as Amra Karbo Joy, Ajadi Hoyni Tor, and Negro Bhai Amar aided the Bengali leftist movement.

He was influenced by Bhawaiya and Bhatiali, and generated his own style, which combined those folk traditions with Sylhet culture's, which he called Bahirana. He formed Mass Singers (a group for mass songs) in or around 1978.

Movies Hemanga Biswas was the playback singer in Meghe Dhaka Tara (The Cloud Capped Star) (1960), Lalon Fakir (Deha Tari Dilam Chhariyo), Utpal Datta's Kallol, and Komal Gandhar.

Discography Bhedi Anôshôn Mṛityu Rush Desher Komred Lenin Pub Dik Lal Aro Bôsôntô Bahu Bôsôntô Tômar Name Asuk Ei Sômadhitale Jhanjha Jhor Mṛityu John Brown-er Deho Shuye Amra Kôrbô Joy Tôgbôg Dhabôman Ashwakhure Kôllol Langar Chhariya Naô-er De Dukhhi Naiya Karagar Bôndi Dhire Bahe Yangsi Sagarjatra Nabik Nirbhôy Shankhachil Phulguli Kôthay Gel Bharatêr Himalayer Ek Shishu Debdaru Mahanagarir Rajpathe Jôto Rôkter Swakshar Ami Je Dekhechi Sei Desh Jalinabager Jallalabader Amra To Bhuli Nai Shahid Nigrô Bhai Amar Paul Robeson John Henry Mountbatten Mangal Kabya Behular Bhelay Bangla Bannyay Ami Jai Shaoshan Bachbô Bachbôre Bhanga Banglar Tar-Chhera Baul Azadi Hoy Ni Ajo Tor Chiner Ekti Lôkgiti Tôr Môrágange Ailo Ebar Ban Dhakar Dak Habiganjer Jalali Kôitor Tôra Bôl Sakhi Bôl Padma Kao, Kao Amare Môn Kandere Padmar Chorer Laigya Lal Lônthon Natoker Gan Gulibiddho Gan Je Amar Egiye Chôlô Muktisena E Matir Ei Dhulikonay Amar Gayer Shirnô Nodi Mukti Shibire Hanke Biugôl Tôra Je Matrimukti-Mantra Amra Juger Swapnô Ôre Kastetare Dio Jore Shan Udaypôther Jatri Ghor Tamas Bhedi Praner Bôdôle Chai Prôtidan Milito Praner Ruddho Deule Tabu Mṛityu Eseche Bôrabhôy Ajab Desher Ajab Lila Telengana Telengana Haradhan-Rangmôn Kôtha Prôtidhwani Shuni Thakile Dôbakhana Hôbe Kôchuripana Ora Amader Gan Gaite Dey Na Phiraiya De De Moder Bandhukere Dheu Utheche Kara Tutche Bir Pradhan O, Bir Pradhan O Dure Dure Bônmajhe Sari Sari Gramer Lal Dhan Akha Re Murkho Gidal Hamragula Bhaoaiya Gan Gai Shatakul Bikôshitô Hôk Hushiyar Komred Shôn Biugôle Ei Hankiche Re Antôrjatik