Supriya Devi

Supriya Devi (Supriya Choudhury; 8 January 1933 – 26 January 2018) was an Indian actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema for more than 50 years. She is best known for her portrayal of Neeta in Ritwik Ghatak's Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara. She was conferred the Filmfare Award and the BFJA Award twice. In 2011, she received the Banga-Vibhushan, the highest civilian honour in West Bengal. In 2014, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for her contributions to the entertainment industry.

She made her debut alongside Uttam Kumar in Basu Paribar (1952), under the direction of Nirmal Dey, and successively appeared in Prarthana (1952) directed by Pranab Ray. Her father was Gopal Chandra Banerjee, a lawyer from Faridpur (now in Bangladesh).

Supriya was seven years old when she made her acting debut in two plays directed by her father. She was a dancer since her childhood, even receiving an award from Thakin Nu, then-Prime Minister of Burma, who was moved by one of her dance recitals. From her childhood, her closest friend was Nihar Dutta, who married into the Guha Thakurata family and as Nihar Guha Thakurata, was an eminent Burmese social worker of her time.

In 1948, the Bannerjees left Burma for good and re-settled in Calcutta. They had been refugees in 1942 when the Japanese forces occupied Burma. The young Supriya and her family were forced to undertake an arduous trek on foot to the safety of Calcutta. She, then took a hiatus and returned to filmdom in Marmabani (1958) under Sushil Majumdar's direction. She rose to prominence after she had appeared in the Uttam Kumar starrer blockbuster Sonar Harin (1959) directed by Mangal Chakraborty. Vyjayanthimala who was later found to play the same titular role was full of praise for her performance in the film.

At the beginning of the 1960s, she came to a bigger attention for her successive roles in films such as Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960), Shuno Baranari (1960), Komal Gandhar (1961), Swaralipi (1961) to name a few. She was applauded for her performance in the 1973 blockbuster Sanyasi Raja.

She was applauded for her performance in Raja Sen's National Award winning Bengali film Atmiyo Swajan (1998). Rediff described her performance in the film as "a fairly good fleshing out Supriya Devi".

Personal life In 1954, Supriya married Bishwanath Choudhury and a few years later her only daughter Soma was born. The couple divorced in 1958. She retired from films for a while during this period.

In 1963 she married Uttam Kumar. She lived with him until his death in 1980.

Supriya Devi died of a heart attack in Kolkata on 26 January 2018, aged 85.

Filmography

The Namesake (2006) as Ashima's Grandmother Arjun Aamar Naam (2003) Ekti Nadir Naam (2002) Shesh Thikana (2000) as Sriradha's grandmother Atmiya Swajan (1998) Honeymoon (1992) Kari Diye Kinlam Iman Kalyan (1982) Kalankini Kankabati (1981) Uttar Meleni (1981) Dui Prithibi (1980) Debdas (1979) as Chandramukhi Bahnisikha Dui Purush (1978) as Bimala Sandhya Raag (1977) Sabyasachi (film) (1977) Sanyasi Raja (1975) Bhola Moira Sister Jadi Jantem (1974) as Sujata Bagh Bondi Khela (1975) Raktatilak (1975) as Binata Bon Palashir Padabali (1973) as Padma Andha Atit (1972) Chhinnapatra Bilambita Loy (1970) Duti Mon (1969) Chiradiner (1969) Mon Niye (1969) Sabarmati (1969) Hiren Nag Chhaya Debi Jiban Mrityu Chowringhee (1968) as Karabi Guha Teen Adhayay (1968) Kal Tumi Aleya (1966) as Dr. Labanya Sarkar Shudhu Ekti Bachhar (1966) Aap Ki Parchhaiyan (1964) as Asha in Hindi Movie Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) as Meera Nishithe Lal Pathore (1964) Begaana (1963) Surya Sikha (1963) Uttarayan (1963) Swaralipi Komal Gandhar (1961) as Anasuya Madhya Rater Tara (1961) Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960) as Nita Natun Fasal (1960) Suno Baranari (1960) Khelaghar (1959) Sonar Harin (1959) Amrapali Basu Paribar (1952) as Sukhen's Sister

Awards

Won- Filmfare Awards East-Best Actress Award for Sister in 1977. Won- Filmfare Awards East- Lifetime Achievement Award Won- Padmashri-the fourth highest civilian award for her contribution to Indian Cinema. Won- Banga-Vibhushan - the highest civilian award in West Bengal in 2011. Won- BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for "Tin Adhay" in 1969. Won- BFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress Award for "Chhinnapatra" in 1973. Won- Kalakar Awards-Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

Book Amar Jiban Amar Uttam. (Autobiography, Memoir)