Uttam Kumar and Shyamal Mitra.

Uttam Kumar and Shyamal Mitra

By: CR Chatterji.

Uttam Kumar became a phenomenon in the life of Bengalies, during 50s, 60s and 70s. Whenever he had given lips in the songs of noted singers, the singers gained popularity, prestige and honour. Shymal Mitra composed all the songs for Uttam Kumar’s film Deya Neya in 1963.

All the songs in the film including “ami cheye cheye dekhi saradin”, “dole dodul dole jhulona”, “jiban khatar proti patay”, “ganer bhubon bhoriye debo” became landmark hits. Incidentally the same film was remade in hindi with the title Anurodh, where Rajesh Khanna played the role of Uttam Kumar.

Shaymal Mitra composed music for hit films of Uttam Kumar like Bhrantibilas, (whose hindi version was Angoor), and also Bonpalasir Padabali. In Kamallata, a film based on the life of writer Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Shaymal Mitra’s song “omon kokhon shuru kokhon je shesh ke jane” touched the hearts of every Bengali in the country.

Shyamal Mitra made the biggest contribution in Uttam Kumar’s film Amanush, directed by Shakti Samanta both in Bengali and hindi and Anand Ashram. In Amanush, Kishore Kumar’s song “dil aisa kisi n mera tora” picturised on Uttam Kumar and composed by Shyamal Mitra brought him filmfare award for the best singer in that year.

The other notable songs in Amanush include “ki asay bandhi khelaghar”. In Anand Ashram, Shyamal Mitra’s composition for Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore tiled “sara pyar tumhara” became extremely successful. The song was sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. In Bengali film Ananda Ashram, Shyamal Mitra’s own song “kotha kichu kichu”, became a big hit.

The legendary combination of Uttam Kumar and Shyamal Mitra ended with the death of Uttam Kumar in 1980. But whenever viewers see films like Rajodrohi, Suno Boro Nari, the pleasant memories of Uttam Kumar and Shyamal Mitra appears in their mind. The films and the songs should be preserved.