TWO UNFORGETTABLE DOYENS 

KAJAL CHATTERJEE

 

 

Soumitra Chatterjee and Manoj Mitra - - both highly successful doyen in the world of films and theatre and legends in their own way and right.

 

While Chatterjee passed away to another world on 15th November (2020); Mitra had undertaken the same one-way journey on 12th November(2024), "missing" the date by just 3 days! As far as separation in their respective year of birth is concerned, it is again 3 with Chatterjee taking birth in 1935 and Mitra in 1938! 

 

Both the stalwarts not only possessed the word "Mitra" in their official identities (one bearing it as surname, another carrying it as part of the name); they were also "Mitra" (friend) in their personal lives, both highly respectful towards each other. 

 

As a matter of fact, there lied lot of common elements between Chatterjee and Mitra. 

 

Both started their career with theatre and thereafter graced the film world. The film career of Chatterjee as well as Mitra started with a bang; the former getting launched by the legendary Satyajit Ray (Apur Sansar), the latter's debut happening through the highly sensational 'Bancharamer Bagan' directed by another legend Tapan Sinha and both never needed to look back on screen also. 

 

Along with Utpal Dutta, Soumitra Chatterjee and Manoj Mitra form among that rarest of rare breed of actors who have excelled in live stage as well as silver screen. Both have featured in multiple films of Satyajit Ray Tapan Sinha Anjan Chowdhury Prabhat Roy, often in same films also. If in 'Ghare Baire' and 'Ganashatru', the characters of Chatterjee and Mitra were in conflict with each other (the hypocrite Swadeshi activist vs the ideal village Headmaster in the former, socially responsible upright Dr Ashok Gupta vs the newspaper publisher ready to succumb to power in the latter); 'Wheelchair' saw them in much cordial relationship as Doctor and patient respectively with 'Lathi' featuring them as close friends within a group of 5! 

 

Though neither Chatterjee nor Mitra directed any feature film, but both had proved themselves as accomplished director cum playwright in theatre. 'Darpane Saratsashi' was a successful combined product of the two doyens with Soumitra Chatterjee directing and acting in the play written by Manoj Mitra! In this context, I share an interesting personal anecdote. 

 

In 1992 ie during my early 20s, I got enlightened about the residential address of Chatterjee and promptly wrote a letter to him. The humble great actor was generous enough to give me a long letter as reply which continues to be much cherished by me. In 1993, I went one step ahead and wrote Chatterjee whether I can meet him personally. I didn't expect reply to this letter. But Chatterjee again stunned me by intimating that I can meet him at Tapan theatre (South Kolkata) on particular days of the week and in particular time! Also he gave away his  telephone number also! Though I didn't utilise this golden opportunity handed me on a platter by the stalwart himself (moreover I used to stay in a neighboring state then); but the thrilling matter remains that on those days, Soumitra Chatterjee used to stage Manoj Mitra's 'Darpane Saratsashi' on that very Tapan theatre itself where he had offered to meet me and this interesting coincidence have hit my imagination after the demise of Mitra last Tuesday! 

 

Another common feature between them remains their rich body of literary work, both having been proficient writers as well. If Chatterjee had gifted us books like 'Manikdar Sange' 'Agrapathikera' 'Pratidino Tobo Gatha' along with several poetry and drama collections; Mitra had enriched us with novels like 'Bhasiye Diyechhi Kapotaksha Jale' 'Raja Goja Dosh Moja' 'Rajdarshan' along with the immortal drama collection featuring 'Sajano Bagan' 'Aloknandar Putra Kanya' 'Narak Guljar' to name a few. So even after passage of several decades also, the connoisseurs of literature poetry drama will continue to draw inspiration and knowledge from the treasures left behind by Chatterjee and Mitra. 

 

Ending with a book revolving around Soumitra Chatterjee, published around 3 decades ago, which featured the writings of the Who's Who of Bangla film and theatre world - - - all sharing their craft cum personal experience with the actor. In the article penned by Manoj Mitra, he had compared Chatterjee with a bird which flies so high above that far from hearing the flutter of the wings, even the flapping of it can hardly be seen, thereby resembling a jet plane smoothly gliding across the sky ! What Mitra had meant to say is that Chatterjee's skill and craft has attained such a height of excellence that he smoothly portrays the character without creating any spectacle or sound ie without beating his own trumpet! 

 

Surely Chatterjee also would have felt the same for Mitra, who had also enthralled the audience with elan and of course by maintaining low profile! 

 

Yes, sheer Quality of Soumitra Chatterjee and Manoj Mitra used to speak in favour of the two multifaceted genius and they would continue to shine like Pole Star in the sky of fims and theatre through their immortal works and contribution.