Advanced search

Rabindranath Tagore was born on 6 May 1861 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India [now India]. He was a writer and composer, known for Song of the Body, Streer Patra (1972) and Natir Puja (1932). He was married to Mrinalini Devi. He died on 7 August 1941 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India [now India].

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay was born on 15 September 1876 in Debanandapur, Hooghly, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sarat Chandra was a writer, known for Devdas (2002), Dev.D (2009) and Swami (1977). Sarat Chandra died on 16 January 1938 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Sukumar Ray was born on 30 October 1887 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sukumar died on 10 September 1923 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Sukanta Bhattacharya was born on 15 August 1926 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sukanta is known for Komal Gandhar (1961). Sukanta died on 13 May 1947 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was born on 26 June 1838 in Kathalpara, Naihati, Bengal Presidency, British India. Bankim Chandra was a writer, known for Krishnakanter Will (1926), Bishabriksha (1922) and Bisha Brikshya (1928). Bankim Chandra died on 8 April 1894 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Hiralal Sen is known as the first film maker in the Indian sub-continent. He was born in Manikgonj near Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was the son of a famous lawyer and from a Zamindar family. He grew up in Kolkata. In 1898, a film troupe en route to Paris screened a certain Professor Stevenson's short film along with the stage show, The Flower of Persia at the Star Theatre in Calcutta. Borrowing Stevenson's camera, Sen made his first film, "A Dancing Scene" from the opera The Flower of Persia. With assistance from his brother, Motilal Sen, he bought an Urban Bioscope from Charles Urban's Warwick Trading Company in London. In the following year, with his brother, he formed the Royal Bioscope company.

Sri Ramakrishna was born on 18 February 1836 in Kamarpukur, Bengal Presidency, British India. Sri was a writer, known for Maja (2005), Baba (2002) and Minsaara Kanavu (1997). Sri died on 16 August 1886 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Himangshu Dutta was born in 1908 in Comilla, Eastern Bengal and Assam, British India. He was a composer, known for Nandini (1941), Bhaichara (1943) and Bhakta Kabir (1942). He died on 15 November 1944 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Dwijendralal Roy was born on 19 July 1863 in Krishnanagar, Nadia, Bengal Presidency, British India. Dwijendralal was a writer, known for Matri Bhoomi (1939), Agnishwar (1975) and Gumnaami (2019). Dwijendralal died on 17 May 1913 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Shaila Devi was born in 1918, in Comilla district of undivided Bengal. Her father was Rajani Kanta Das. Shaila started singing at an early age by listening to the radio. Her ability to pick up songs readily was noticed by her guardians and soon a formal training in music was arranged for her under Shri Shyama Charan Datta. Very soon other teachers like Ustad Khusru Mian, Samarendra Pal and Harihar Roy were giving her music lessons. Regular training in classical music at an early age from worthy trainers made her voice highly refined and polished, well suited for different types of songs. Occasionally music director Himangshu Datta also gave her lessons, when he happened to be at his hometown Comilla. However, in 1931 or 1932, the exact date is unknown, Shaila was married to Sachindra Mohan Deb. Marriage did not prove to be an impediment with her singing as was usual in those days. On the contrary, financial conditions made it certain that she should continue to sing. Her husband was not very well off and she had to earn as well to maintain the family. So she decided to take up the profession of private tutor in music while she continued to learn herself. She left East Bengal and came to Calcutta sometime in 1938 along with her husband in response to a call by Himangshu Datta. The music circle in Calcutta welcomed the newcomer with great enthusiasm. Himangshu Datta, Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay, Raichand Boral and Krishna Chandra Dey were amongst those who rendered helping hands to get Shaila established in the world of the radio and records. Devi got attached to Pioneer Records and her first recordings were Bengali devotional songs under the guidance of Krishna Chandra Dey. There was no looking back for her once the first record was published. In 1940 she recorded Bonero Chameli Phirey Ai, a song that became immensely popular, so much that re-makes of this song has been made by several senior artistes of later years. She was one of the regular artistes for the radio programs titled Mahishashurmardini under Pankaj Mallick's direction, singing Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu for some years. For films, Devi sang under music directors like Kaji Nazrul Islam, Rai Chand Boral, Himangshu Datta, Durga Sen, Shailesh Dattagupta, Sachin Dev Burman and many others. Songs like Shuk Kahe Sari, Sudhu Kangaler Mato, Banglar Badhu Bukey Taar Madhu (with Robin Majumdar and Suprava Sarkar) created history. She also recorded Tagore songs as basic records. In the early forties Devi became one of the most sought after female playback singers. She also lent her voice to many Hindi films like Chowringhee and Wapas. She had signed a contract to sing for Meghdoot as well but fate decided otherwise and most tragically she suffered an attack of ruptured appendix and was admitted to the Mayo Hospital in Calcutta on 11th March, 1944. She passed away in the early hours of the very next day on the 12th of March, leaving behind her husband, two daughters, Leena and Subhra, a son Suhas Kusum Deb and a host of mourning admirers. Her younger daughter Subhra died of rheumatic heart disease when she was only fifteen.Shaila Devi's eldest daughter Leena Saha is a singer also and has lent her voice for films and has performed on the stage several times. After Shaila's death the Senola Company released some of her last songs recorded earlier.

Rajani Kanta Sen was born on 26 July 1865 in Pabna, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Pabna, Bangladesh]. He is known for Mohunbaganer Meye (1976), Subhas Chandra (1966) and Harmonium (1976). He died on 13 September 1910 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Jamshedji Framji Madan was born on 27 April 1857 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. He was a producer and production manager, known for Bilwa Mangal (1919), Dhrubo (1934) and Vasant Prabha (1924). He died on 28 June 1923 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio was born on 18 April 1807 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. Henry Louis Vivian died on 26 December 1831 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.