B. N. Sircar
Encyclopedia
B. N. Sircar (1901–1980) was an India
n film producer
and the Founder of New Theatres Calcutta
. He made Bengali
films that were noted for introducing many Famous Film Directors. He was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1970.
He studied Engineering at the University of London and on returning to India he was asked to build a Cinema Hall. He then decided to build one for himself and involved himself in making of two silent ventures.
. A stickler for quality, Sircar attracted directors such as PC Barua, Premankor Atharthi, Debaki Bose, Dhiren Ganguly, Bimal Roy and Phani Majumdar under his wings. Actors such as KL Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Amar Mullick, Kanan Devi, Chandrabati Devi, Lila Desai Leela Desai
and Prithviraj Kapoor were on his payroll. Technicians like Mukul Bose (Sound Recordist- Director), Yusuf Moolji (Cameraman), Nitin Bose (Cameraman-Director) and Subodh Mitra (Editor) were well aware of the various technical innovations being introduced in Hollywood and Europe and were able to adapt many of these within the limitations of the New Theatres Studio lot. Music composers and singers such as RC Boral, Timir Baran and Pankaj Mullick too were associated with New Theatres productions.
He was the President of the BMPA
in the late 1940s
was formed by producer B. N. Sircar (Birendranath Sircar, the recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award
of 1970). It was formed on 10 February 1931.
Dena Paona, a Bengali talkie, was released in 1931, directed by Premankur Atarthi and produced by New Theatres. Famous musician Raichand Boral
composed for this movie.
In 1935, P.C. Barua directed and acted in Devdas
, based on Saratchandra Chatterjee's novel Devdas
, and this film became phenomenally successful in the industry.
In 1935, playback singing was first used in India in the Bengali film Bhagya Chakra
by Nitin Bose
. The singers were K C Dey, Parul Ghosh
and Suprabha Sarkar. Dhoop Chhaon
, Hindi remake of this film, was the first Hindi film to use playback singing.
Kanan Devi
was the first popular star actress, who appeared in many films produced by New Theatres. Also there was a group of talented actors with New Theatres like K.L. Saigal, K. C. Dey
, Prithviraj Kapoor
, Chhabi Biswas
, Bikash Roy
, Pahari Sanyal
, Basanta Choudhury
.
Top directors like Premankur Atarthi, P.C. Barua, Debaki Bose
and Nitin Bose
worked in New Theatres films. The Famous musicians who worked there include R. C. Boral
, Pankaj Mullick
and Timir Baran.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and the Founder of New Theatres Calcutta
New Theatres Calcutta
New Theatres, Calcutta was formed by producer B. N. Sircar . It was formed on 10 February 1931.Moto - Jivatang Jyotiretu Chhayam...
. He made Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
films that were noted for introducing many Famous Film Directors. He was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1970.
Early life
He was born in Bhagalpur to the then Advocate-General of Bengal, Sir N. N. Sircar.He studied Engineering at the University of London and on returning to India he was asked to build a Cinema Hall. He then decided to build one for himself and involved himself in making of two silent ventures.
Career
In 1931, he created the legendary New Theatres CalcuttaNew Theatres Calcutta
New Theatres, Calcutta was formed by producer B. N. Sircar . It was formed on 10 February 1931.Moto - Jivatang Jyotiretu Chhayam...
. A stickler for quality, Sircar attracted directors such as PC Barua, Premankor Atharthi, Debaki Bose, Dhiren Ganguly, Bimal Roy and Phani Majumdar under his wings. Actors such as KL Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Amar Mullick, Kanan Devi, Chandrabati Devi, Lila Desai Leela Desai
Leela Desai
Leela Desai, aka Lila Desai, was a famous Indian actress in the 1930s and 40s. She was the daughter of Dr. Umedram Lalbhai Desai and his second wife Satyabala Devi, a famous musician in the early 1900s....
and Prithviraj Kapoor were on his payroll. Technicians like Mukul Bose (Sound Recordist- Director), Yusuf Moolji (Cameraman), Nitin Bose (Cameraman-Director) and Subodh Mitra (Editor) were well aware of the various technical innovations being introduced in Hollywood and Europe and were able to adapt many of these within the limitations of the New Theatres Studio lot. Music composers and singers such as RC Boral, Timir Baran and Pankaj Mullick too were associated with New Theatres productions.
He was the President of the BMPA
Diptendu Pramanick
Diptendu Pramanick was a bengali film personality from Calcutta. He was the founder secretary of the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association in Calcutta, India - a fraternity of film personnel which is an interface between the entertainment industry of eastern India and the Government...
in the late 1940s
New Theatres
New Theatres CalcuttaNew Theatres Calcutta
New Theatres, Calcutta was formed by producer B. N. Sircar . It was formed on 10 February 1931.Moto - Jivatang Jyotiretu Chhayam...
was formed by producer B. N. Sircar (Birendranath Sircar, the recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
of 1970). It was formed on 10 February 1931.
Dena Paona, a Bengali talkie, was released in 1931, directed by Premankur Atarthi and produced by New Theatres. Famous musician Raichand Boral
Raichand Boral
Rai Chand Boral was an Indian composer, considered by music conoisseurs to be the father of Bollywood film music.-Life and career:...
composed for this movie.
In 1935, P.C. Barua directed and acted in Devdas
Devdas (1935 film)
Devdas is a 1935 Bengali film based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella, Devdas. It stars P.C. Barua as Devdas and Jamuna Barua as Parvati and Chandrabati Devi as Chandramuki.Sharat Chandra Chatterjee's classic novel Devadas is about two lovers - Debdas and Parbati - who can never unite...
, based on Saratchandra Chatterjee's novel Devdas
Devdas
Devdas is a Bengali Romance novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Essentially, it is a retelling of the Krishna, Radha, and Meera myths, the relationships between its three protagonists - Devdas, Parvati, and Chandramukhi - paralleling the Hindu deities'.-Plot summary:Devdas is a young man from...
, and this film became phenomenally successful in the industry.
In 1935, playback singing was first used in India in the Bengali film Bhagya Chakra
Bhagya Chakra
Bhagya Chakra is an Indian Bengali feature film directed by Nitin Bose. The film was remade in Hindi in the same year, titled Dhoop Chhaon....
by Nitin Bose
Nitin Bose
Nitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
. The singers were K C Dey, Parul Ghosh
Parul Ghosh
Parul Ghosh , born Parul Biswas, was one of the pioneers of playback singing, singing in Hindi and Bengali movies from 1935 to 1951. Originally hailing from Barisal, now in Bangladesh, she was introduced to playback singing by her brother Anil Biswas. Films in which she featured include Jwar Bhata,...
and Suprabha Sarkar. Dhoop Chhaon
Dhoop Chhaon
Dhoop Chhaon is a 1935 Hindi movie directed by Nitin Bose. It was a remake of the Bengali film Bhagya Chakra. Dhoop Chhaon was the first Hindi film to use playback singing. It was Bose who came up with the idea of playback singing. He discussed with music director Raichand Boral and Bose's brother...
, Hindi remake of this film, was the first Hindi film to use playback singing.
Kanan Devi
Kanan Devi
Kanan Devi was an Indian actress and singer. She was among the early singing stars of Indian cinema, and is credited popularly as the first star of Bengali Cinema...
was the first popular star actress, who appeared in many films produced by New Theatres. Also there was a group of talented actors with New Theatres like K.L. Saigal, K. C. Dey
K. C. Dey
Krishna Chandra De better known as K.C. Dey, was a Bengali actor, singer and music composer and teacher born in Calcutta . He was S.D. Burman's first musical teacher and mentor. He worked for New Theatres in Kolkata until 1940. He is best remembered for his Kirtan songs.Dey sang and composed...
, Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor , 3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was a pioneer of Indian theatre and of the Hindi film industry, who started his career as an actor, in the silent era of Hindi cinema, associated with IPTA and who founded Prithvi Theatres, a travelling theatre company based in Mumbai, in...
, Chhabi Biswas
Chhabi Biswas
Chhabi Biswas was a much revered Bengali character actor, primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha's Kabuliwala and Satyajit Ray's films Jalshaghar , Devi and Kanchenjungha .He is the best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, was himself the...
, Bikash Roy
Bikash Roy
Bikash Roy was a character actor in Bengali cinema. He attended the Presidency College of the University of Calcutta. He was a natural actor bringing out different shades and subtle nuances of different characters quite effortlessly...
, Pahari Sanyal
Pahari Sanyal
Pahari Sanyal, born Nagendranath Sanyal, was a stalwart Bengali character actor whose status was as towering as that of others such as Chhabi Biswas and Kamal Mitra....
, Basanta Choudhury
Basanta Choudhury
Basanta Chowdhury was an actor who had been playing a hero even before the era of Uttam Kumar.Basanta Chowdhury was born on 5 May 1928 in Nagpur. In 1945, he completed his Matriculation Examination from D.N.H. School. Afterthat, he finished his graduation from Morris College in 1949.His first film...
.
Top directors like Premankur Atarthi, P.C. Barua, Debaki Bose
Debaki Bose
Debaki Bose , also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was a top director, writer, actor of Bengali cinema/Indian cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalpoush, Burdwan, Bengal, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound...
and Nitin Bose
Nitin Bose
Nitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
worked in New Theatres films. The Famous musicians who worked there include R. C. Boral
Raichand Boral
Rai Chand Boral was an Indian composer, considered by music conoisseurs to be the father of Bollywood film music.-Life and career:...
, Pankaj Mullick
Pankaj Mullick
Pankaj Mullick, also known as Pankaj Kumar Mullick was a Bengali Indian music director, who was a pioneer of film music in Bengali cinema and Hindi cinema at the advent of playback singing, as well as an early exponent of Rabindra Sangeet.He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1970, followed by the...
and Timir Baran.
Filmography
- Dena Paona (Released 30 December 1931) - Directed by Premankur Atarthi
- Natir Puja (Released 22 March 1932)
- Punarjanma (Released 2 April 1932) - Directed by Premankur Atarthi
- Chirakumar Sabha (Released 28 May 1932) - Directed by Premankur Atarthi
- Pallisamaj (Released 1 July 1932) - Directed by Sisir BhaduriSisir BhaduriShishir Kumar Bhaduri or Sisir Kumar Bhaduri stage actor and theatre founder, was born on at Ramrajatala in Howrah district in West Bengal. He passed the Entrance examination in 1905 from Bangabashi School, graduated in arts from Scottish Church College in 1910, and did his MA in English...
- ChandidasChandidasChandidas refers to medieval poet of Bengal. Over 1250 poems related to the love of Radha and Krishna in Bengali with the bhanita of Chandidas are found with three different sobriquets along with his name, , Dvija and Dina as well as without any sobriquet also...
(Released 24 September 1932) - Directed by Debaki BoseDebaki BoseDebaki Bose , also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was a top director, writer, actor of Bengali cinema/Indian cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalpoush, Burdwan, Bengal, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound... - KapalkundalaKapalkundalaKapalkundala is a Bengali romance novel by Indian writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Published in 1866, it is a story of a forest-dwelling girl named Kapalkundala, who fell in love and got married to Nabakumar, a young gentleman from Saptagram, but eventually found that she is unable to adjust...
(Released 20 May 1933) - Directed by Premankur Atarthi - Mastuto Bhai (short) (Released 20 May 1933) - Directed by Dhirendranath Gangopadhyay
- Sita (Released 26 October 1933) - Directed by Sisir BhaduriSisir BhaduriShishir Kumar Bhaduri or Sisir Kumar Bhaduri stage actor and theatre founder, was born on at Ramrajatala in Howrah district in West Bengal. He passed the Entrance examination in 1905 from Bangabashi School, graduated in arts from Scottish Church College in 1910, and did his MA in English...
- Mirabai (Released 11 November 1933) - Directed by Debaki BoseDebaki BoseDebaki Bose , also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was a top director, writer, actor of Bengali cinema/Indian cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalpoush, Burdwan, Bengal, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound...
- Excuse Me Sir (short) (Released 30 March 1934) - Directed by Dhirendranath Gangopadhyay
- Ruplekha (Released 14 April 1934) - Directed by P.C. Barua
- P.Brothers (Cartoon) (Released 23 June 1934) - Directed by Raichand BoralRaichand BoralRai Chand Boral was an Indian composer, considered by music conoisseurs to be the father of Bollywood film music.-Life and career:...
- Mahua (Released 31 August 1934) - Directed by Hiren Bose
- DevdasDevdas (1935 film)Devdas is a 1935 Bengali film based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella, Devdas. It stars P.C. Barua as Devdas and Jamuna Barua as Parvati and Chandrabati Devi as Chandramuki.Sharat Chandra Chatterjee's classic novel Devadas is about two lovers - Debdas and Parbati - who can never unite...
(Released 30 March 1935) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi... - Abaseshe (short) (Released 24 August 1935) - Directed by Dineshranjan Das
- Bhagyachakra (Released 3 October 1935) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
- Grihadaha (Released 10 October 1936) - Directed by P.C. Barua
- Mando Ki (short) (Released 21 October 1936) - Directed by Tulsi Lahiri
- Maya (Released 23 December 1936) - Directed by P.C. Barua
- Didi (Released 3 April 1937) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
- Mukti (Released 18 September 1937) - Directed by P.C. Barua
- Arghya (short) (Released 25 September 1937)
- Bidyapati (Released 2 April 1938) - Directed by Debaki BoseDebaki BoseDebaki Bose , also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was a top director, writer, actor of Bengali cinema/Indian cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalpoush, Burdwan, Bengal, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound...
- Abhignan (Released 11 June 1938) - Directed by Prafulla Ray
- Desher mati (Released 17 August 1938) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
- Achinpriya (Released 29 October 1938) - Directed by Dhirendranath Gangopadhyay
- SathiSathiSathi is a Bengali Movie was released in 2002. Directed by Haranath Chakraborty, the movie featured Jeet, Priyanka Trivedi, . This movie is Jeet and Priyanka Trivedi's cinematic debut.-Plot:...
(Released 3 December 1938) - Directed by Phani Majumdar - Adhikar (Released 12 January 1939) - Directed by P.C. Barua
- Baradidi (Released 7 April 1939) - Directed by Amar Mullik
- Sapure (Released 27 May 1939) - Directed by Debaki BoseDebaki BoseDebaki Bose , also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was a top director, writer, actor of Bengali cinema/Indian cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalpoush, Burdwan, Bengal, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound...
- Rajat Jayanti (Released 12 August 1939) - Directed by P.C. Barua
- Jiban Maran (Released 14 October 1939) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
- Parajoy (Released 22 March 1940) - Directed by Hemchandra Chandra
- Daktar (Released 31 August 1940) - Directed by Phani Majumdar
- AbhinetriAbhinetriAbhinetri is a 1970 Hindi film produced and directed by Subodh Mukherjee. The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Nirupa Roy, Nazima, Asit Sen and Deb Mukherjee...
(Released 30 November 1940) - Directed by Amar Mullik - NartakiNartakiNartaki is a 1940 Indian Bollywood film. It was the fifth grossing Indian film of 1940....
(Released 18 January 1941) - Directed by Debaki BoseDebaki BoseDebaki Bose , also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was a top director, writer, actor of Bengali cinema/Indian cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalpoush, Burdwan, Bengal, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound... - Parichoy (Released 25 April 1941) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
- Pratishruti (Released 14 August 1941) - Directed by Hemchandra Chandra
- Shodhbodh (Released 28 March 1942) - Directed by Soumen Mukhopadhyay
- Minakshi (Released 12 June 1942) - Directed by Madhu Bose
- Priyo Bandhabi (Released 23 January 1943) - Directed by Soumen Mukhopadhyay
- Kashinath (Released 2 April 1943) - Directed by Nitin BoseNitin BoseNitin Bose was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatres, who made bilingual movies: in both Bengali and Hindi...
- Dikshul (Released 12 June 1943) - Directed by Premankur Atarthi
- Udayer Pathey (Released 1 September 1944) - Directed by Bimal RoyBimal RoyBimal Roy was one of the most acclaimed Indian film directors of all time. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Hindi cinema...
- Dui Purush (Released 30 August 1945) - Directed by Subodh Mitra
- Biraj Bou (Released 5 July 1946) - Directed by Amar Mullik
- Nurse Sisi (Released 27 April 1947) - Directed by Subodh Mitra
- Ramer Sumati (Released 24 December 1947) - Directed by Kartik Chattopadhyay
- Pratibad (Released 19 June 1948) - Directed by Hemchandra Chandra
- Anjangarh (Released 24 September 1948) - Directed by Bimal RoyBimal RoyBimal Roy was one of the most acclaimed Indian film directors of all time. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Hindi cinema...
- Mantramugdha (Released 14 January 1949) - Directed by Bimal RoyBimal RoyBimal Roy was one of the most acclaimed Indian film directors of all time. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Hindi cinema...
- Bishnupriya (Released 7 October 1949) - Directed by Hemchandra Chandra
- Rupkatha (Released 13 October 1950) - Directed by Soren Sen
- Aadur Prem (Upcoming Film, 2011) - Directed by Somnath Gupta
External links
- www.kundanlalsaigal.com - Comprehensive Resource Website, offering preview of all his songs.
- www.pankajmullick.com - Comprehensive Resource Website, offering preview of his songs.
- www.krishnachandradey.com - Comprehensive Resource Website, offering preview of his songs.
- www.kanandevi.com
- Musicians
- A short history of Bengali cinemaBengali cinemaBengali cinema refers to the Bengali language filmmaking industries in the Bengal region of South Asia. There are two major film-making hubs in the region: one in Kolkata, West Bengal, India and the other in Dhaka, Bangladesh .The history of cinema in Bengal dates back to the 1890s, when the first...
- A Biography of B N Sircar
- An article on New Theatres by Sharmistha Gooptu