Shyamal Mitra

Shyamal Mitra (; 14 January 1929 – 15 November 1987) was an Indian playback singer, music director, and film producer. He worked extensively in both Hindi and Bengali cinema and was regarded as one of the notable figures of the golden era of the Bengali music industry, alongside Hemanta Mukherjee, Kishore Kumar, Manabendra Mukhopadhyay, Manna Dey and other bengali singers.

Mitra's baritone voice was known for its expressive quality and wide emotional range. In addition to recording a large number of Bengali modern songs, he contributed as a playback singer in more than one hundred Bengali films and composed music for over fifty films. He also lent his voice to songs in other Indian languages, including Hindi, Assamese, and Oriya.

Early life Shyamal Mitra was born into a Bengali Kayastha family in Naihati, a city near Kolkata, India. His ancestral village was Patul, near Seakhala. His father, Sadhan Kumar Mitra, was a well-known doctor in Naihati who wished his son to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor. However, Shyamal Mitra was deeply inclined towards music, drawing inspiration from his mother and from local singer Mrinal Kanti Ghosh. The family home was a meeting place for individuals associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), which enabled young Mitra to come in contact with Salil Chowdhury. Shyamal Mitra and his youngest sister Reba often performed the song "O Aalor Pathajatree" on the streets in support of IPTA activities.

Mitra pursued his graduate studies at Hooghly Mohsin College, then affiliated with the University of Calcutta. There, he came under the influence of Satinath Mukhopadhyay, a noted exponent of modern Bengali music, who encouraged him to pursue his musical interests. Later, after moving to Kolkata, he met Sudhirlal Chakraborty, which became a turning point in his career.

Mitra initially faced struggles but received his first opportunity as a playback singer in Sunandar Biye (1949), alongside Supriti Ghosh and Pratima Bandyopadhyay. Around the same time, he recorded his first modern songs under the His Master's Voice label, under the guidance of Sudhirlal Chakraborty. Following the death of Chakraborty in 1952, Mitra recorded "Smriti Tumi Bedonar", which marked a significant breakthrough in his career. Thereafter, he emerged as one of the leading singers and composers of Bengal.

Career Shyamal Mitra began his career as a singer and music composer in the Bengali music industry. During the 1950s and early 1960s, he composed music for successful films such as Joy Maa Kali Boarding, Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, and Bhranti Bilas. During this period, he also contributed as a playback singer in numerous Bengali films.

In 1963, Mitra produced the film Deya Neya, which marked another milestone in his career. He later produced films such as Rajkanya, Kheya, and Ami Se O Sakha. He was also the producer and distributor of Garh Nasimpur.

In the early 1950s, Mitra travelled to Mumbai with Salil Chowdhury, where he worked in the films Musafer, Biraj Bou, and Naukri. He returned to Mumbai in 1973 and collaborated with director Shakti Samanta in films such as Amanush and Anand Ashram. He also worked in F. C. Mehra's Bandi and Basu Chatterjee's Safed Jhoot and Mamta. Subsequently, he returned to Kolkata and continued to compose and sing many popular Bengali modern and film songs.

Mitra maintained a long association with All India Radio, where he performed in various programmes, including the annual Mahisasuramardini. In that broadcast, he sang "Subhra Sankha Robe" along with Arati Mukhopadhyay and Ashima Mukherjee.

Apart from modern Bengali songs and film music, Mitra also contributed to other forms of Bengali music, including Rabindrasangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Chotoder Gaan, and Atul Prasadi. As a composer, he also worked in the "Jatra Pala Bibi Anandomoyee".

Mitra collaborated with many prominent singers, including Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Tarun Bandyopadhyay, Dhananjay Bhattacharya, Pratima Bandyopadhyay, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Ila Basu, Supriti Ghosh, Gayatri Basu, Utpala Sen, Alpana Banerjee, Manabendra Mukhopadhyay, Talat Mahmood, and Kishore Kumar.

As an actor, he appeared in Bengali films such as Sharey Chuattor and Shap Mochan.

Death and legacy Shyamal Mitra died on 15 November 1987. He was survived by his wife, Protima Mitra, two sons, Saibal Mitra and Saikat Mitra, and a daughter, Monobina. His son Saikat later followed in his footsteps and became a noted Bengali singer, performing many of his father's songs.

As music composer

The following is a list of films for which Shyamal Mitra composed music: + Films for which Shyamal Mitra composed music Year Film 1953 Lakh Taka 1955 Joy Maa Kali Boarding 1958 Jamalaye Jibanta Manush 1958 Deli Passenger 1959 Bhranti 1960 Sokher Chor 1963 Hashi Sudhu Hashi Noi 1963 Bhranti Bilas 1963 Deya Neya 1964 Saptarshi 1965 Trishna 1965 Rajkanya 1967 Kheya 1967 Hotath Dekha 1968 Garh Nasimpur 1969 Bibaha Bibhrat 1969 Duranta Charai 1970 Samantaral 1970 Padmagolap 1971 Pratibad 1971 Janani 1971 Jiban Jiggasha 1971 Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant 1972 Andha Atit 1973 Bon Palashir Padabali 1973 Chithi 1974 Amanush 1975 Phulu Thakurma 1975 Ami Se O Sokha 1977 Rajbangsha 1977 Ajashra Dhonnyobad 1977 Jaal Sanyashi 1977 Anand Ashram 1978 Bandi 1978 Nishan 1978 Dhanraj Tamang 1980 Priyatama 1981 Khana Baraha 1981 Bandi Balaka 1981 Kalankini Kankabati 1982 Maayer Ashirbaad 1982 Maatir Sorgo 1983 Songsarer Itikotha 1986 Kenaram Becharam 1987 Mohamilan 1990 Ekaki

As playback singer

+ Shyamal Mitra as playback singer Year Film 1951 Sunandaar Biye 1953 Sare Chuattor 1955 Bhagabaan Shri Shri Ramakrishna 1955 Dashhu Mohan 1955 Raat Bhore 1955 Saapmochon 1955 Sri Krishna Sudama 1955 Upohaar 1956 Sagarika 1956 Asamaptaa 1956 Maamlar Phol 1957 Sindur 1957 Eaktaara 1957 Ogo Suncho 1957 Prithibi Amare Chai 1957 Surer Poroshe 1957 Punormilan 1958 Bhanu Pelo Lottery 1959 Aabak Prithivi 1959 Dersho Khokaar Kando 1959 E Johor Se Johor Noy 1959 Kichukhhon 1959 Maahut Bondhure 1959 Nirdharito Silpir Onuposthitite 1959 Baari Theke Paliye 1959 Mriter Morte Agomon 1960 Kono Eakdin 1960 Sunobaranari 1960 Sohorer Itikotha 1960 Chupi Chupi Aashey 1961 Kothin Maaya 1961 Keri Saheber Munshi 1962 Maayar Songsaar 1962 Kaajal 1962 Agnisikha 1963 Dwiper Naam Tiarang 1963 Aakashpradeep 1964 Deep Nebhe Nai 1964 Cheenamukh / Kaantataar 1964 Kostipathar 1964 Laalpathor 1964 Taa Hole 1965 Abhaya O Shrikanto 1965 Antaraal 1965 Mohalogno 1966 Oshru Diye Lekha 1966 Angikaar 1966 Pandober Bonobaas 1966 Rajodrohi 1967 Bodhubaran 1967 Prostor Sakhhor 1968 Aapanjan 1968 Baaluchori 1968 Hangshamithun 1969 Kamallata 1969 Panna Hire Chuni 1969 Andhar Surya 1969 Bonjotsna 1969 Maa O Meye 1970 Muktisnaan 1970 Nishipadma 1970 Ruposhi 1970 Sona Boudi 1971 Onno Maati Onno Rong 1971 Bhagya 1971 Sachimaar Songsaar 1971 Shakuntala 1972 Noya Michil 1972 Bonpalashir Podaboli 1972 Archana 1972 Biraaj Bou 1973 Nokol Sona 1974 Alo Andhare 1974 Daabi 1976 Chutir Ghonta 1976 Sei Chookh 1977 Tir Bhanga Dheu 1977 Behula Lokhindor 1978 Nishitrishna 1979 G T Road 1979 Bhagyalipi 1979 Dub De Mon Kali Bole 1979 Aami Ratan 1981 Mondomodhur 1983 Utsorgo 1983 Jibon Moron 1984 Silalipi 1985 Roktojoba 1987 Raajpurush 1988 Aparadhi — Omor Prem — Aamader Desh — Saraswatir Protigga — Ekadoshi — Haashitukui Thaak — Sondhay Surya — Bhorer Kuasha — Maatir Putul — Dui Bondhu