Renowned Bengali actor and distinguished theatre figure Manoj Mitra passed away at a hospital in Kolkata's Salt Lake area on Tuesday morning at the age of 85. Mitra had been admitted due to breathing difficulties and other age-related health issues, and he died around 8:50 am. According to an Ananda Bazaar Patrika report, the thespian had been suffering from age-related ailments. He was suffering from blood pressure issues and had low sodium and potassium.
He was celebrated for his roles in iconic films such as Tapan Sinha’s Bancharamer Bagan and Satyajit Ray’s masterpieces Ghare Baire and Ganashatru.
About Manoj Mitra
Mitra was born on December 22, 1938, in the village of Chokkamokkai in Satkhira, Khulna. Due to his father Ashok Kumar Mitra’s transferable job, he was initially educated at home. Mitra developed an interest in Jatras and plays performed during Durga Puja celebrations in their courtyard, although senior family members prohibited him from participating.
After the Partition, he attended school at Dandirhat N.K.U.S. Niketan near Basirhat. Later, he enrolled in Scottish Church College, where he majored in philosophy and graduated in 1958. During this time, he began writing short stories, many of which were published in various magazines.
It was at Scottish Church College that Mitra became involved in theatre, with regular performances featuring notable students like Badal Sarkar and Rudraprasad Sengupta. He pursued an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Calcutta and started working towards a doctorate.
However, by then, he and his friends, including theatre and film director Partha Pratim Chowdhury, had formed the group Sundaram. Mitra briefly taught philosophy at Suri Vidyasagar College before joining the drama department at Rabindra Bharati University, where he eventually became the head of the department and later retired as the Sisir Kumar Bhaduri professor.
By this time, Mitra had established himself as one of the leading playwrights in West Bengal, writing, directing, and acting in numerous plays. His first play, Bogol Dhiman, won first prize in a statewide competition. He went on to write over a hundred plays, including Sajano Bagaan, Chokhe Angul Dada, Kaalbihongo, Parabas, Alokanandar Putra Kanya, Narak Guljar, Aswathama, Chakbhanga Madhu, Mesh O Rakhash, Noisho Bhoj, Chhayar Prashad, Galpo Hekim Saheb, Rajdarshan, Debi Swarpamasta, Munni O Saat Chowkidar, Ranger Haat, and Ja Nei Bharatey. Most of these plays were produced by Sundaram and Bohurupee, among others.
Mitra acted in the 1998 film Hothat Bristy (Sudden Rain), a joint production between Bangladesh and India, where he played a significant role. His works have been translated into several languages, and he authored several books on film and theatre.
He also appeared in works by notable directors like Basu Chatterjee, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, and Tarun Majumdar. An accomplished playwright, he penned over 100 plays and received numerous awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Best Playwright in 1985.
He was celebrated for his roles in iconic films such as Tapan Sinha’s Bancharamer Bagan and Satyajit Ray’s masterpieces Ghare Baire and Ganashatru.
About Manoj Mitra
Mitra was born on December 22, 1938, in the village of Chokkamokkai in Satkhira, Khulna. Due to his father Ashok Kumar Mitra’s transferable job, he was initially educated at home. Mitra developed an interest in Jatras and plays performed during Durga Puja celebrations in their courtyard, although senior family members prohibited him from participating.
After the Partition, he attended school at Dandirhat N.K.U.S. Niketan near Basirhat. Later, he enrolled in Scottish Church College, where he majored in philosophy and graduated in 1958. During this time, he began writing short stories, many of which were published in various magazines.
It was at Scottish Church College that Mitra became involved in theatre, with regular performances featuring notable students like Badal Sarkar and Rudraprasad Sengupta. He pursued an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Calcutta and started working towards a doctorate.
However, by then, he and his friends, including theatre and film director Partha Pratim Chowdhury, had formed the group Sundaram. Mitra briefly taught philosophy at Suri Vidyasagar College before joining the drama department at Rabindra Bharati University, where he eventually became the head of the department and later retired as the Sisir Kumar Bhaduri professor.
By this time, Mitra had established himself as one of the leading playwrights in West Bengal, writing, directing, and acting in numerous plays. His first play, Bogol Dhiman, won first prize in a statewide competition. He went on to write over a hundred plays, including Sajano Bagaan, Chokhe Angul Dada, Kaalbihongo, Parabas, Alokanandar Putra Kanya, Narak Guljar, Aswathama, Chakbhanga Madhu, Mesh O Rakhash, Noisho Bhoj, Chhayar Prashad, Galpo Hekim Saheb, Rajdarshan, Debi Swarpamasta, Munni O Saat Chowkidar, Ranger Haat, and Ja Nei Bharatey. Most of these plays were produced by Sundaram and Bohurupee, among others.
Mitra acted in the 1998 film Hothat Bristy (Sudden Rain), a joint production between Bangladesh and India, where he played a significant role. His works have been translated into several languages, and he authored several books on film and theatre.
He also appeared in works by notable directors like Basu Chatterjee, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, and Tarun Majumdar. An accomplished playwright, he penned over 100 plays and received numerous awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Best Playwright in 1985.
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