Chhabi Biswas
Chhabi Biswas (Bengali: ছবি বিশ্বাস Chhobi Bishshash) (12 July 1900 – 11 June 1962) was a much revered Bengali character actor, primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha'sKabuliwala and Satyajit Ray's films Jalshaghar (The Music Room, 1958), Devi (The Goddess, 1960) and Kanchenjungha (1962).
He is the best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, was himself the scion of a rich and cultured North Kolkata family. He was born on 12 July 1900. His father Bhupatinath Biswas was well known for his charitable works. He was christened Sachindranath but his mother nicknamed her handsome 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 was culturally significant too as in the British Raj, enlightened Bengali used to combined both the hoary tradition and the Anglicised urbanity.
| Chhabi Biswas ছবি বিশ্বাস | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 12, 1900 Ahiritola, Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Died | June 11, 1962 (aged 61) Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1931 to 1962 |
Life and film career
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 got into amateur theatrics and got in touch with Sisir Kumar Bhaduri, the legendary star of Bengali theatre. The young actor was deeply impressed by Sisir Kumar’s histrionic abilities and he got heavily involved with several amateur theatrical clubs. His powerful performance as Sri Gouranga in the playNader Nimai sealed Chhabi 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, Chhabi 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 Chhabi 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), Shahjehan (1941), made him a much admired figure both among the audience and his peers.
In 1936, Chhabi Biswas made his cinematic debut in a film called Annapurnar Mandir. The film was directed by Tinkari Chakraborty and Chhabibabu played the role of Bishu, the husband of the heroine. Trained in the over-melodramatic acting style of the contemporary Bengali stage, Chhabi 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) andPratisruti (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. Chhabibabu’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 Chhabi 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.
Chhabi Biswas died in an automobile accident on 11 June 1962. After Biswas’s demise in 1962, Ray admitted that he did not write a single male middle-aged part that called for a high degree of professional talent.
Filmography
| Film (year) | Director | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurnar Mandir (1936) | Tinkari Chakraborty | Actor |
| Haranidhi (1937) | Tinkari Chakraborty | Actor |
| Chokher Bali (1938) | Satu Sen | Actor |
| Chanakya (1939) | Sisir Kumar Bhaduri | Actor |
| Sharmistha (1939) | Naresh Mitra | Actor |
| Nartaki (1940) | Debaki Bose | Actor |
| Nimai Sanyasi (1940) | Phani Burma | Actor |
| Swami Stri (1940) | Satu Sen | Actor |
| Pratisruti (1941) | Hemchandra Chunder | Actor |
| Pratishodh (1941) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Banglar Meye (1941) | Naresh Mitra | Actor |
| Epar Opar (1941) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Pashan Devata (1942) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Shodhbodh (1942) | Saumyen Mukherji | Actor |
| Avayer Biye (1942) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Nari (1942) | Prafulla Roy | Actor |
| Karnarjun (1942) | Jyotish Bannerji | Actor |
| Jiban Sangini (1942) | Gunamaya Bannerjee | Actor |
| Garmil (1942) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Bondi (1942) | Sailajanand Mukherji | Actor |
| Parineeta (1942) | Pasupati Chatterjee | Actor |
| Saugandh (1942) | Hemchandra Chunder | Actor |
| Mahakabi Kalidas (1942) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Ashok (1942) | Ajay Bhattacharya | Actor |
| Pativrata (1942) | Jagadish Chakraborty | Actor |
| Mahakavi Kalidas (1942) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Milan (1942) | Jyotish Bannerji | Actor |
| Nilanguriya (1943) | Gunamaya Bannerjee | Actor |
| Devar (1943) | Jyotish Bannerji | Actor |
| Daabi (1943) | Dhirendranath Ganguly | Actor |
| Dwanda (1943) | Hemen Gupta | Actor |
| Dampati (1943) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Aleya (1943) | Nabendusundar | Actor |
| Samadhan (1943) | Premendra Mitra | Actor |
| Dikshul (1943) | Premankur Atorthey | Actor |
| Chhadmabeshi (1944) | Ajay Bhattacharya | Actor |
| Pratikar (1944) | Chhabi Biswas | Actor, Director |
| Matir Ghar 1944 | Hari Bhanja | Actor |
| Dui Purush (1945) | Subodh Mitra | Actor |
| Path Bendhe Dilo (1945) | Premendra Mitra | Actor |
| Bondita (1945) | Hemanta Gupta | Actor |
| Sree Durga (1945) | Sailajananda Mukherjee | Actor |
| Raj Lakshmi (1945) | Premendra Mitra | Actor |
| Vande Mataram (1946) | Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee | Actor |
| Nibedita (1946) | Pratibha Sasmal | Actor |
| Sangram (1946) | Ardhendu Mukherjee | Actor |
| Saat Number Bari (1946) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Tumi Aar Aami (1946) | Apurba Kumar Mitra | Actor |
| Biraj Bou (1946) | Amar Mullick | Actor |
| Mandir (1947) | Phani Burma | Actor |
| Chandrasekhar (1947) | Debaki Bose | Actor |
| Nurse Sisi (1947) | Subodh Mitra | Actor |
| Abhijog (1947) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Anirban (1948) | Soumyen Mukherjee | Actor |
| Nandaranir Sansar (1948) | Surendraranjan Sarkar | Actor |
| Shesh Nibedan (1948) | Dhirendranath Ganguly | Actor |
| Shankha Sindur (1948) | Manujendra Bhanja | Actor |
| Umar Prem (1948) | Khagen Roy | Actor |
| Sadharan Meye (1948) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Drishtidaan (1948) | Nitin Bose | Actor |
| Manzoor (1949) | Subodh Mitra | Actor |
| Debi Chowdhurani (1949) | Satish Dangupta | Actor |
| Jar Jetha Ghar (1949) | Chhabi Biswas | Actor, Director |
| Singhdwar (1949) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Vidyasagar (1950) | Kali Prasad Ghose | Actor |
| Garabini (1950) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Mandanda (1950) | Ratan Chatterjee | Actor |
| Mahasampad (1950) | Surendraranjan Sarkar | Actor |
| Anurag (1951) | Jatin Das | Actor |
| Kalsap (1951) | Khagen Roy | Actor |
| Maldar (1951) | Amit Moitra | Actor |
| Biplabi Kshudiram (1951) | Hiranmoy Sen | Actor |
| Aparajita (1951) | Partha Sarathy Drama | Actor |
| Durgesh Nandini (1951) | Amar Mullick | Actor |
| Sunandar Biye (1951) | Sudhir Sarkar | Actor |
| Ratrir Tapashya (1952) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Krishnakanter Will (1952) | Khagen Roy | Actor |
| Nirakshar (1952) | Gunamaya Bannerjee | Actor |
| Prarthana (1952) | Pranab Roy | Actor |
| Alladdin-o-ashcharya Pradeep (1952) | Bijon Sen | Actor |
| Vidyasagar (1952) | Kali Prasad Ghose | Actor |
| Kar Pape (1952) | Kali Prasad Ghose | Actor |
| Jabanbondi (1952) | Amar Dutta | Actor |
| Subhada (1952) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Sati Behula (1953) | Sunil Ganguly | Actor |
| Raja Krishnachandra (1953) | Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee | Actor |
| Jog Biyog (1953) | Pinaki Mukherji | Actor |
| Boudir Bon (1953) | Khagen Roy | Actor |
| Sabuj Paharh (1953) | Apurba Kumar Mitra | Actor |
| Saat Number Kayedi (1953) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Baimanik (1953) | Shyam Chakraborty | Actor |
| Blind Lane (1953) | Sailajananda Mukherjee | Actor |
| Shesher Kabita (1953) | Modhu Bose | Actor |
| Lakh Taka (1953) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Makarsar Jaal (1953) | Pashupati Kundu | Actor |
| Prafulla (1954) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Jadubhatta (1954) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Bhanga-gara (1954) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Banglar Nari (1954) | Sailajananda Mukherjee | Actor |
| Ora Thake Odhare (1954) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Naa (1954) | Shri Tarashankar | Actor |
| Dhuli (1954) | Pinaki Mukherjee | Actor |
| Shobha (1954) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Shorashi (1954) | Pasupati Chatterjee | Actor |
| Chhele Kar (1954) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Maa-o-chhele (1954) | Gunamaya Bannerjee | Actor |
| Kalyani (1954) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Sadanander Mela (1954) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Bidhilipi (1955) | Manu Sen | Actor |
| Debi Malini (1955) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Dattak (1955) | Kamal Ganguly | Actor |
| Kalo Bou (1955) | Silpi Sangha | Actor |
| Rani Rashmoni (1955) | Kali Prasad Ghose | Actor |
| Katha Kao (1955) | Sailajananda Mukherjee | Actor |
| Pather Sheshey (1955) | Ardhendu Chatterjee | Actor |
| Sanjher Pradeep (1955) | Sudhangsu Mukherjee | Actor |
| Prashna (1955) | Chandrasekhar Bose | Actor |
| Hrad (1955) | Ardhendu Sen | Actor |
| Shribatsa Chinta (1955) | Phani Burma | Actor |
| Bhagaban Sree Sree Ramkrishna (1955) | Prafulla Chakraborty | Actor |
| Drishti (1955) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Upahar (1955) | Tapan Sinha | Actor |
| Parishodh (1955) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Joy Maa Kali Boarding (1955) | Sadhan Sarkar | Actor |
| Bratacharini (1955) | Kamal Ganguly | Actor |
| Jharer Pare (1955) | Debnarayan Gupta | Actor |
| Sabar Upare (1955) | Agradoot | Actor |
| Falgu (1956) | Satish Dasgupta | Actor |
| Asamapta (1956) | Ratan Chatterjee | Actor |
| Trijama (1956) | Agradoot | Actor |
| Rajpath (1956) | Gunamaya Bannerjee | Actor |
| Shankar Narayan Bank (1956) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Govindadas (1956) | Prafulla Chakraborty | Actor |
| Asabarna (1956) | Pinaki Mukherjee | Actor |
| Kabuliwala (1956) | Tapan Sinha | Actor |
| Daner Maryada (1956) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Mamlar Phal (1956) | Pasupati Chatterjee | Actor |
| Madan Mohan (1956) | Amal Kumar Bose | Actor |
| Raat Bhor (1956) | Mrinal Sen | Actor |
| Ekdin Ratre (1956) | Sombhu Mitra | Actor |
| Chhaya Sangini (1956) | Bidyapati Ghosh | Actor |
| Bhola Master (1956) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Shubharatri (1956) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Sadhak Ramprosad (1956) | Bangsi Ash | Actor |
| Suryamukhi (1956) | Bikash Ray | Actor |
| Saheb Bibi Golam (1956) | Kartick Chattopadhyay | Actor |
| Putrabadhu (1956) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Taka-ana-pai (1956) | Jyotirmoy Roy | Actor |
| Paradhin (1956) | Modhu Bose | Actor |
| Sinthir Sindoor (1956) | Ardhendu Sen | Actor |
| Kirti Garh (1956) | Soumyen Mukherjee | Actor |
| Manraksha (1956) | Satish Dasgupta | Actor |
| Kari-o-komal (1957) | Moni Ghosh | Actor |
| Bardidi (1957) | Ajay Kar | Actor |
| Abhishek (1957) | Chitra Pali | Actor |
| Adarsha Hindu Hotel (1957) | Ardhendu Sen | Actor |
| Parash Pathar (1957) | Satyajit Ray | Actor |
| Tapasi (1957) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Prithibi Amare Chay (1957) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Shesh Parichoy (1957) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Madhabir Jonye (1957) | Nitin Bose | Actor |
| Chhaya Path (1957) | Gunamaya Bannerjee | Actor |
| Antariksha (1957) | Rajen Tarafdar | Actor |
| Mathur (1957) | Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee | Actor |
| Ghum (1957) | Agrani | Actor |
| Pathe Holo Deri (1957) | Agradoot | Actor |
| Kancha-mithey (1957) | Jyotirmoy Roy | Actor |
| Baksiddha (1957) | Bireswar Bose | Actor |
| Khela Bhangar Khela (1957) | Ratan Chatterjee | Actor |
| Sandhan (1957) | Chitta Sen | Actor |
| Natun Prabhat (1957) | Bikash Ray | Actor |
| Rastar Chhele (1957) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Surer Parashe (1957) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Bara Maa (1957) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Ektara (1957) | Hiren Bose | Actor |
| Louha-kapat (1957) | Tapan Sinha | Actor |
| Harishchandra (1957) | Phani Burma | Actor |
| Garer Math (1957) | Aaj Production Unit | Actor |
| Abhoyer Biye (1957) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Nilachale Mahaprabhu (1957) | Kartick Chattopadhyay | Actor |
| Marmabani (1958) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Tansen (1958) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Indrani (1958) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Nagini Kanyar Kahini (1958) | Salil Sen | Actor |
| Daily Passenger (1958) | Sadhan Sarkar | Actor |
| O Amar Desher Mati (1958) | Pathikrit | Actor |
| Jamalaye Jibanta Manush (1958) | Prafulla Chakraborty | Actor |
| Nupur (1958) | Dilip Nag | Actor |
| Jalsaghar (1958) | Satyajit Ray Drama | Actor |
| Bandhu (1958) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Surya Toran (1958) | Agradoot | Actor |
| Sadhak Bamakshyapa (1958) | Narayan Ghosh (2) | Actor |
| Headmaster (1958) | Agragami | Actor |
| Chaowa Pawa (1958) | Tarun Majumdar, Yatrik | Actor |
| Priya (1958) | Salil Sen | Actor |
| Dhoomketu (1958) | Gouranga Prasad Basu | Actor |
| Sashibabur Sansar (1959) | Sudhir Mukherjee | Actor |
| Kshaniker Atithi (1959) | Tapan Sinha | Actor |
| Chhabi (1959) | Niren Lahiri | Actor |
| Amrapali (1959) | Shri Tarashankar | Actor |
| Nirdharita Silpir Anupastithi Tey (1959) | Nirmal Dey | Actor |
| Gali Theke Rajpath (1959) | Prafulla Chakraborty | Actor |
| Mriter Martye Agaman (1959) | Pasupati Chatterjee | Actor |
| Shubha Bibaha (1959) | Sombhu Mitra | Actor |
| Khelaghar (1959) | Ajay Kar | Actor |
| Sonar Harin (1959) | Mangal Chakraborty | Actor |
| Rater Andhakare (1959) | Agrani | Actor |
| Thakur Haridas (1959) | Gobinda Ray | Actor |
| Derso Khokhar Kando (1959) | Kamal Ganguly | Actor |
| Bicharak (1959) | Prabhat Mukherjee | Actor |
| Bhranti (1959) | Prafulla Chakraborty | Actor |
| Agnisambhabha (1959) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Nrityeri Tale Tale (1959) | Sudhirbandhu Bannerjee | Actor |
| Kshudista Pashan (1960) | Tapan Sinha | Actor |
| Gariber Meye (1960) | Ardhendu Mukherjee | Actor |
| Nader Nimai (1960) | Bimal Roy Jr. | Actor |
| Hospital (1960) | Sushil Majumdar | Actor |
| Shesh Paryanta (1960) | Sudhir Mukherjee | Actor |
| Shuno Baranari (1960) | Ajay Kar | Actor |
| Tailangaswami (1960) | Chitrasarathi | Actor |
| Maya Mriga (1960) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Smriti Tuku Thaak (1960) | Tarun Majumdar | Actor |
| Raja-saja (1960) | Bikash Ray | Actor |
| Surer Piyasi (1960) | Bishu Dasgupta | Actor |
| Haat Baralei Bandhu (1960) | Sukumar Dasgupta | Actor |
| Sakher Chor (1960) | Prafulla Chakraborty | Actor |
| Debarshi Narader Sansar (1960) | Panchaboot | Actor |
| Ajana Kahini (1960) | Sunil Baran | Actor |
| Chupi Chupi Ase (1960) | Premendra Mitra | Actor |
| Devi (1960) | Satyajit Ray | Actor |
| Carey Saheber Munsi (1961) | Bikash Ray | Actor |
| Manik (1961) | Bijoli Baran Sen | Actor |
| Agni Sanskar (1961) | Agradoot | Actor |
| Madhya Rater Tara (1961) | Pinaki Mukherjee | Actor |
| Madhureno (1961) | Shanti Bannerjee | Actor |
| Kanchanmulya (1961) | Nirmal Mitra | Actor |
| Kancher Swarga (1961) | Tarun Majumdar | Actor |
| Saptapadi (1961) | Ajay Kar | Actor |
| Ashay Bandhinu Ghar (1961) | Kanak Mukherjee | Actor |
| Necklace (1961) | Dilip Nag | Actor |
| Maa (1961) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Swayambara (1961) | Asit Sen | Actor |
| Bishkanya (1961) | Shri Jayadratha | Actor |
| Dainee (1961) | Manoj Bhattacharya | Actor |
| Dada Thakur (1962) | Sudhir Mukherjee | Actor |
| Kanchenjungha (1962) | Satyajit Ray | Actor |
| Shubhoddristi (1962) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Bipasha (1962) | Agradoot | Actor |
| Bodhu (1962) | Bhupen Roy | Actor |
| Suryasnan (1962) | Ajay Kumar | Actor |
| Atal Jaler Ahwan (1962) | Ajay Kar | Actor |
| Sorry Madam (1962) | Dilip Bose | Actor |
| Shiulibari (1962) | Pijush Bose | Actor |
| Agnisikha (1962) | Rajen Tarafdar | Actor |
| Dhupchhaya (1962) | Chitta Bose | Actor |
| Mayar Sansar (1962) | Kanak Mukherjee | Actor |
| Kajal (1962) | Sunil Bannerjee | Actor |
| Surya Sikha (1963) | Salil Dutta | Actor |
| High Heel (1963) | Dilip Bose | Actor |
| Chhakka Panja (1963) | Prafulla Roy | Actor |
| Kantatar (1964) | Bireshwar Mukherjee | Actor |
| Bignam O Bidhata (1973) | Bimal Roy Jr. | Actor |
| Shri Shri Maa Lakshmi (1977) | Prabhat Chakraborty | Actor |
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