Chhabi Biswas

His father, Bhupatinath Biswas, was well known for his charitable works. His first name was Sachindranath, but his mother nicknamed her son Chhabi (a beautiful picture!) and the name stuck throughout his life and career. His portrayal of the formidable father figure, though often typecast, yet was powerful and convincing enough to earn both popular and critical accolades. That portrayal also had cultural significance, as in the British Raj, it enlightened the Bengali to combine both the hoary tradition and the Anglicised urbanity.

• Name — Chhabi Biswas • Parents — Bhupatinath Biswas (father) • Birth Name — Sachindranath Biswas • Born — 12 July 1900 • Birthplace — Ahiritola, Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India • Died — 11 June 1962 • Place of death — Calcutta, West Bengal, India • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1931–1962 • Education — Vidyasagar College • Spouse — Samira Bose • Children — Dilip Biswas (son) Malay Biswas (son) Manjula Biswas (daughter) • Awards — Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1960)

Passing his matriculation examinations from the Hindu School, Chhabi Biswas enrolled at the Presidency College and later at the Vidyasagar College. It was during this time he entered amateur theatre and got in touch with Sisir Kumar Bhaduri, the legendary star of Bengali theatre. The young actor was impressed by Sisir Kumar’s histrionic abilities and he became heavily involved with several amateur theatrical clubs. His powerful performance as Sri Gouranga in the play Nader Nimai sealed Biswas's popularity among the theatre lovers of the day. He then took a break from acting and joined an insurance company, and later started a business dealing in jute products. But soon, unable to resist the temptations of the stage, Biswas rejoined the theatre circuit and made his debut as a professional actor in a social-melodrama, Samaj. Even after his success as a film actor Biswas continued his association with the professional stage and Jatra circuit. His performance in major roles in hit plays like Shoroshi (1940), Sita (1940), Kedar Roy (1941) and Shahjehan (1941), made him an admired figure both among the audience and his peers. In 1936, Biswas made his cinematic debut in a film called Annapurnar Mandir. The film was directed by Tinkari Chakraborty and Biswas played the role of Bishu, the husband of the heroine. Trained in the over-melodramatic acting style of the contemporary Bengali stage, Biswas soon grasped the finer nuances of acting for cinema. He became a regular in films produced by the New Theatres and had major roles in Chokker Bali (1937), Nimai Sannyas (1940) and Pratisruti (1941). He was absolutely marvellous as a 90-year-old ascetic in Debaki Bose's film Nartaki (1940). Ironically, it was the success of his acting in Nartaki that limited his opportunities in lead roles but his reputation as a character actor par excellence was by now firmly in place. Biswas's second innings as an actor began with this film and he almost became an automatic choice as the paterfamilias or the suave noble. Using his perfect English diction to the hilt Biswas (along with Pahadi Sanyal and Bikash Roy to a certain extent) developed a unique way of delivering a dramatic dialogue, first in English, and then after a pause repeating the same in Bengali. Films such as Ashok (1942), Parineeta (1942), Dwanda (1943), Matir Ghar (1944), Dui Purush (1945), Biraj Bou (1946) and Mandana (1950) showcased his talents as an actor of great quality. He also essayed the role of the singing drunken husband of Sumitra Devi's character in Raj Kapoor's Ek Din Ratre (1956), the same character which was essayed by Motilal in its Hindi version Jagte Raho (1956). In 1958, when Satyajit Ray needed someone to play an aging aristocrat in Jalsaghar, Biswas was an automatic choice. Subsequently, Biswas starred in two more Ray films; Devi (1960) and Kanchenjungha (1962). Chhabi Biswas died at age 61 in an automobile accident, while he was driving to his ancestral home in Jagulia, on 11 June 1962. Satyajit Ray later wrote, "I doubt if I could ever make the film Jalsaghar without an actor of the calibre of Chhabi Babu... only a genius like him could portray these myriad emotions. Jalsgahar, Devi, Kanchenjunga, were all written with Chhabi Biswas in mind. Ever since he died, I have not written a single middle-aged part that calls for a high degree of professional talent."

• Year of release — Title — Role — Director — Notes • 1936 — Annapurnar Mandir — Bishu — Tinkari Chakraborty • 1937 — Haranidhi — Tinkari Chakraborty • 1938 — Chokher Bali — Bihari — Satu Sen • 1939 — Chanakya — Sikandar — Sisir Kumar Bhaduri • Sharmistha — Naresh Mitra • 1940 — Nimai Sanyasi — Nimai — Phani Burma • Nartaki — Swamiji — Debaki Bose • Swami Stri — Satu Sen • 1941 — Pratisruti — Paritosh — Hemchandra Chunder • Pratishodh — Sushil Majumdar • Karnarjun — Karna — Jyotish Bandyopadhyay • Epar Opar — Ramen — Sukumar Dasgupta • Banglar Meye — Naresh Mitra • 1942 — Jiban Sangini — Naren Choudhury — Gunamaya Bannerjee • Saugandh — Hemchandra Chunder • Pashan Devata — Sukumar Dasgupta • Milan — Paresh — Jyotish Bannerji • Mahakabi Kalidas — Niren Lahiri • Garmil — Mukherjee — Niren Lahiri • Avayer Biye — Sushil Majumdar • Shodhbodh — Saumyen Mukherji • Nari — Prafulla Roy • Bondi — Sailajanand Mukherji • Parineeta — Pasupati Chatterjee • Ashok — Ajay Bhattacharya • Pativrata — Jagadish Chakraborty • Mahakavi Kalidas — Niren Lahiri • 1943 — Dwanda — Hemen Gupta • Dikshul — Premankur Atorthy • Devar — Rabin — Jyotish Bannerji • Dampati — Niren Lahiri • Nilanguriya — Gunamaya Bannerjee • Daabi — Dhirendranath Ganguly • Aleya — Nabendusundar • Samadhan — Premendra Mitra • 1944 — Chhadmabeshi — Ajay Bhattacharya • Matir Ghar — Alok — Hari Bhanja • Pratikar — Chhabi Biswas • 1945 — Bondita — Hemanta Gupta • Dui Purush — Nutu Bihari — Subodh Mitra • Rajlaxmi — Premendra Mitra • Path Bendhe Dilo — Premendra Mitra • Sree Durga — Sailajananda Mukherjee • Raj Lakshmi — Premendra Mitra • 1946 — Sangram — Ardhendu Mukherjee • Tumi Aar Aami — Apurba Kumar Mitra • Prem Ki Duniya — Jyotish Bannerjee • Mandir — Phani Burma • Biraj Bou — Nilambar — Amar Mullick • Vande Mataram — Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee • Nibedita — Pratibha Sasmal • Saat Number Bari — Sukumar Dasgupta • 1947 — Chandrasekhar — Chandrasekhar — Debaki Bose • Abhijog — Sushil Majumdar • Nurse Sisi — Subodh Mitra • 1948 — Anirban — Soumyen Mukherjee • Shesh Nibedan — Dhirendranath Ganguly • Sadharan Meye — Niren Lahiri • Nandaranir Sansar — Surendraranjan Sarkar • Shankha Sindur — Manujendra Bhanja • Umar Prem — Khagen Roy • Drishtidaan — Nitin Bose • 1949 — Manzoor — Subodh Mitra • Debi Chowdhurani — Satish Dangupta • Jar Jetha Ghar — Chhabi Biswas • Singhdwar — Niren Lahiri • 1950 — Garabini — Niren Lahiri • Mandanda — Ratan Chatterjee • Vidyasagar — Kali Prasad Ghose • Mahasampad — Surendraranjan Sarkar • 1951 — Anurag — Jatin Das • Kalsap — Khagen Roy • Maldar — Amit Moitra • Biplabi Kshudiram — Hiranmoy Sen • Aparajita — Partha Sarathy Drama • Durgesh Nandini (1951 film) — Katlu Khan — Amar Mullick • Sunandar Biye — Sudhir Sarkar • 1952 — Ratrir Tapashya — Sushil Majumdar • Krishnakanter Will — Khagen Roy • Nirakshar — Gunamaya Bannerjee • Prarthana — Pranab Roy • Alladdin-o-ashcharya Pradeep — Bijon Sen • Kar Pape — Kali Prasad Ghose — Dr. Bose • Jabanbondi — Amar Dutta • Subhada — Haran Chandra — Niren Lahiri • Vidyasagar — Kali Prasad Ghose • 1953 — Raja Krishnachandra — Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee • Shesher Kabita — Abanish — Modhu Bose • Saat Number Kayedi — Sukumar Dasgupta • Lakh Taka — Niren Lahiri • Jog Biyog — Pinaki Mukherji • Boudir Bon — Khagen Roy • Sabuj Paharh — Apurba Kumar Mitra • Baimanik — Shyam Chakraborty • Blind Lane — Sailajananda Mukherjee • Makarsar Jaal — Pashupati Kundu • 1954 — Sati Beula — Sunil Ganguly • Bidhilipi — Jagadish Babu — Manu Sen • Sati Beula — Sunil Ganguly • Shorashi — Jibananda Choudhury — Pasupati Chatterjee • Sadanander Mela — Mamubhai — Sukumar Dasgupta • Ora Thake Odhare — Sukumar Dasgupta • Jadubhatta — Niren Lahiri • Dhuli — Pinaki Mukherjee • Chheley Kaar — Chitta Bose • Bhanga Gora — Jogen — Sushil Majumdar • Prafulla — Chitta Bose • Banglar Nari — Sailajananda Mukherjee • Naa — Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay • Shobha — Niren Lahiri • Maa-o-chhele — Gunamaya Bannerjee • Kalyani — Niren Lahiri • 1955 — Sanjher Pradeep — Sudhangsu Mukherjee • Rani Rashmoni — Rajchandra Das — Kali Prasad Ghose • Joymakali Boarding — Sadhan Sarkar • Jharer Pare — Debnarayan Gupta • Hrad — Ardhendu Sen • Dasyu Mohan — Mr. Shome — Ardhendu Mukherjee • Sabar Upare — Prashanta Chatterjee — Agradoot • Upahar — Sunil's father — Tapan Sinha • Shribatsa Chinta — Phani Burma • Prashna — Sumitra's Father — Chandrasekhar Bose • Debi Malini — Niren Lahiri • Dattak — Kamal Ganguly • 1955 — Kalo Bou — Silpi Sangha • Katha Kao — Sailajananda Mukherjee • Pather Sheshey — Ardhendu Chatterjee • Bhagaban Sree Sree Ramkrishna — Mathur — Prafulla Chakraborty • Drishti — Chitta Bose • Parishodh — Sukumar Dasgupta • Joy Maa Kali Boarding — Sadhan Sarkar • Bratacharini — Kamal Ganguly • 1956 — Kirti Garh — Soumyen Mukherjee • Shankar Narayan Bank — Niren Lahiri • Asamapta — Ratan Chatterjee • Madan Mohan — Amal Kumar Bose • Putrabadhu — Chitta Bose • Raat Bhore — Mrinal Sen • Sinthir Sindoor — Ardhendu Sen • Trijama — Kushal's father — Agradoot • Suryamukhi — Bikash Ray • Shubharatri — Sushil Majumdar • Saheb Bibi Golam — Mejobabu — Kartick Chattopadhyay • Sadhak Ramprosad — Bangsi Ash • Paradhin — Modhu Bose • Daner Maryada — Amarnath — Sushil Majumdar • Bhola Master — Bhola Master — Niren Lahiri • Asabarna — Pinaki Mukherjee • Falgu — Satish Dasgupta • Rajpath — Gunamaya Bannerjee • Govindadas — Prafulla Chakraborty • Mamlar Phal — Pasupati Chatterjee • Ekdin Ratre — Sombhu Mitra • Chhaya Sangini — Bidyapati Ghosh • Taka-ana-pai — Jyotirmoy Roy • Manraksha — Satish Dasgupta • 1957 — Prithibi Amare Chay — Niren Lahiri • Adarsha Hindu Hotel — Ardhendu Sen • Khela Bhangar Khela — Ratan Chatterjee • Harishchandra — Rishi Durbasa — Phani Burma • Shesh Parichoy — Sushil Majumdar • Rastar Chhele — Chitta Bose • Kabuliwala — Rahmat the Kabuliwala — Tapan Sinha • Kancha-mithey — Jyotirmoy Roy • Garer Math — Aaj Production Unit • Pathe Holo Deri — Mallika's father — Agradoot • Baksiddha — Bireswar Bose • Antariksha — Rajen Tarafdar • Abhoyer Biye — Sukumar Dasgupta • Kari-o-komal — Moni Ghosh • Bardidi — Ajay Kar • Abhishek — Chitra Pali • Tapasi — Chitta Bose • Madhabir Jonye — Nitin Bose • Chhaya Path — Gunamaya Bannerjee • Mathur — Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee • Ghum — Agrani • Sandhan — Chitta Sen • Natun Prabhat — Bikash Ray • Surer Parashe — Chitta Bose • Bara Maa — Niren Lahiri • Ektara — Hiren Bose • Nilachaley Mahaprabhu — King Gajapati Prataprudradeb — Kartick Chattopadhyay • 1958 — Louha-kapat — Tapan Sinha • Parash Pathar — Guest at Cocktail Party — Satyajit Ray • Tansen — Akbar — Niren Lahiri • Nagini Kanyar Kahini — Salil Sen • Daily Passenger — Sadhan Sarkar • Daktar Babu — Bishu Dasgupta • Jalsaghar — Huzur Biswambhar Roy — Satyajit Ray • Priya — Salil Sen • Surya Toran — Agradoot • Marmabani — Sushil Majumdar • Sadhak Bamakshyapa — Narayan Ghosh (2) • Jamalaye Jibanta Manush — Prafulla Chakraborty • Indrani — Niren Lahiri • Headmaster — Krishna Prasanna (Ex-Head master) — Agragami • O Amar Desher Mati — Pathikrit • Nupur — Dilip Nag • Bandhu — Chitta Bose • Dhoomketu — Gouranga Prasad Basu • 1959 — Derso Khokhar Kando — Kamal Ganguly • Gali Thekey Rajpath — Prafulla Chakraborty • Sonar Harin — Mangal Chakraborty • Shubha Bibaha — Bar-da (Gayatri's father) — Sombhu Mitra • Sashibabur Sansar — Sudhir Mukherjee • Mriter Martye Agaman — Pasupati Chatterjee • Khelaghar — Ajay Kar • Kshaniker Atithi — Tapan Sinha • Chaowa Pawa — Tarun Majumdar, Yatrik • Bicharak — Prabhat Mukherjee • Chhabi — Niren Lahiri • Amrapali — Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay • Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey — Nirmal Dey • Rater Andhakare — Agrani • Thakur Haridas — Gobinda Ray • Bhranti — Prafulla Chakraborty • Agnisambhabha — Sushil Majumdar • 1960 — Devi — zamindar Kali Kinkar Roy — Satyajit Ray • Smriti Tuku Thaak — Shova's father — Tarun Majumdar • Shesh Paryanta — Sudhir Mukherjee • Tailangaswami — Chitrasarathi • Shuno Baranari — Ajay Kar • Raja-saja — Bikash Ray • Nader Nimai — Bimal Roy Jr. • Maya Mriga — Chitta Bose • Kshudhita Pashan — Tapan Sinha • Hospital — Sushil Majumdar • Surer Piyasi — Bishu Dasgupta • Haat Baralei Bandhu — Sukumar Dasgupta • Gariber Meye — Ardhendu Mukherjee • Sakher Chor — Prafulla Chakraborty • Debarshi Narader Sansar — Panchaboot • Ajana Kahini — Sunil Baran • Chupi Chupi Ase — Beni (Inspector Ghosh) — Premendra Mitra • 1961 — Bishkanya — Shri Jayadratha • Kanchanmulya — Nirmal Mitra • Saptapadi — Krishnendu's father — Ajay Kar • Maa — Chitta Bose • Manik — Bijoli Baran Sen • Dainee — Manoj Bhattacharya • Carey Saheber Munshi — Bikash Ray • Agni Sanskar — Agradoot • Madhya Rater Tara — Pinaki Mukherjee • Madhureno — Shanti Bannerjee • Kancher Swarga — Tarun Majumdar • Ashay Bandhinu Ghar — Kanak Mukherjee • Necklace — Dilip Nag • Swayambara — Asit Sen • 1962 — Mayar Sansar — Kanak Mukherjee • Bodhu — Bhupen Roy • Sorry Madam — Dilip Bose • Kancher Swarga — Judge — Tarun Majumdar • Kanchenjungha — Indranath Chowdhury — Satyajit Ray • Agnisikha — Rajen Tarafdar • Bipasha — Saradindu Chatterjee — Agradoot • Shubhoddristi — Chitta Bose • Dhupchhaya — Chitta Bose • Dada Thakur — Dada Thakur — Sudhir Mukherjee • Suryasnan — Ajay Kumar • Atal Jaler Ahwan — Mr. Chowdhury — Ajay Kar • Shiulibari — Pijush Bose • Kajal — Sunil Bannerjee • 1963 — High Heel — Dilip Bose • Surya Sikha — Salil Dutta • Chhakka Panja — Prafulla Roy • 1964 — Kantatar — Bireshwar Mukherjee • 1973 — Bignam O Bidhata — Bimal Roy Jr. • 1977 — Shri Shri Maa Lakshmi — Prabhat Chakraborty • 1982 — Agni Sambhaba — Sushil Majumdar • 2007 — Bandhu — Chitta Basu — (final film role)

Chhabi Biswas is recorded as a citizen of Dominion of India. Recorded with the occupation stage actor.