Natak Samagra 1 by Soumitra Chattopadhyay [Hardcover]

Soumitra Chatterjee was born on January 19, 1935, in Krishnanagar, West Bengal. His father, Mohit Kumar Chatterjee, and mother, Ashalata Chatterjee, raised him in various parts of West Bengal due to his father's work. His childhood memories include experiences of famine and independence. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in acting, alongside a strong affection for books. During his college years, he came under the influence of the renowned figure Shishir Kumar Bhaduri.

In 1959, he made his debut in the film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu), directed by Satyajit Ray, and subsequently acted in fourteen more films directed by Ray. His filmography includes numerous other films, making him a celebrated figure in Bengali cinema. Over the years, he received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Soumitra Chatterjee was equally active in theatre, and his performance in the titular role of King Lear in recent years earned him much praise. He was also an exceptional orator and started writing poetry in his youth. During his younger days, he co-edited the literary magazine Ekakshan with Nirmalya Acharya. Even amidst his busy schedule, he continued to write poetry regularly.

Soumitra Chatterjee passed away on November 15, 2020, leaving behind an indelible mark on Bengali literature, theatre, and cinema.