Anjan Dutt

Anjan Dutt (19 January 1953) is an Indian film director, actor and singer-songwriter of the 1990s Bengali music scene defined by anyodharar gaan (alternative music)- reminiscent of western folk music. His music is said to be influenced by blues, bluegrass, folk and country music.He is an admitted fan of Bob Dylan and his Bengali contemporary Kabir Suman.

He is also an accomplished actor starting his career in Bengali cinema. His first film was Chalachitro directed by Mrinal Sen, where he won the prize for the best newcomer actor, at the Venice Film Festival. He has acted in Aparna Sen's him film, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. He is also a national award-winning filmamker and is one of the most prominent directors of Bengali Cinema, directing The Bong Connection, Chalo Let's Go, Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona et al.In recent years, he has been directing the Byomkesh Bakshi movie series.

Early years

Anjan Dutt was raised in the mountains of North Bengal. He had his schooling from St. Paul's School located in Darjeeling.

In late seventies, he joined a group called 'Open Theatre' and in early eighties performed plays translated from works of renowned foreign playwrights like Sartre, Peter Weiss, Jean Genet and Bertold Brecht.The group clearly drew inspiration from Nandikar a highly active and an already famous theatre group at that time. But due to politically sensitive content, they faced many obstructions in producing and performing their work, and eventually the group had to discontinue its repertoire.

He was first selected in a feature film named 'Chalachitro' - directed by renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen. The film and his performance was critically acclaimed in the Venice Film Festival but for unknown reasons, it was never released commercially.He said that he was more interested in doing art cinema rather than commercial mainstream cinema. After doing a few art films that were not so commercially successful, including the critically well received 'Juganto', scarcity of job opportunities forced him to take up jobs in advertising and later as a journalist for the Kolkata-based daily, The Statesman.

Singing career

At that time, Anjan was greatly influenced by the music of Kabir Suman who had heralded a new era in Bengali music through his songs. These songs and lyrics, commonly referred to as Jeebonmukhi (literally meaning towards life), concerned itself with the tough reality of Bengali middle class social life, in and around Kolkata.

Discography

Albums

• Shunte Ki Chao (1994)
• Purono Guitar (1995)
• Bhalobashi Tomay (1996)
• Keu Gaan Gaye (1997)
• Ma (1998)
• Chalo Bodlai (1998)
• Priyo Bandhu (1998)
• Hello Bangladesh (1999)
• Kolkata–16 (1999)
• Bandra Blues (2000)
• Asamoy (2000)
• Rawng Pencil (2001)
• Onek Din Por (2004)
• Ichchhe Korei Eksathe (2005)
• Abar Pothe Dekha (2007)
• Ami ar Godot (2007)
• Unoshaat (2014)

Singles (1996–2011)

• Khawar Gaan (3:02) – (with Nachiketa Chakraborty & Suman Chattopadhyay)
• Hotuk Shob Oshundor (1:58) – (with Shalini Chatterjee, Shayari Das, Tanushree Haldar & Sreetoma Ghosh)
• Feludar Gaan (3:04) – (with Nachiketa Chakraborty & Suman Chattopadhyay)
• Freedom (5:37) – (with Indrani Sen, Indranil Sen & Others)
• Sadhinota (4:50) – (with Indrani Sen, Indranil Sen & Others)
• Ekushe Pa (3:57)
• Bow Barracks Forever! (4:38)
• Tumi Na thakle (4:25) – (with Usha Uthhup)
• Chalo Let's Go.. (4:43)
• Ei Poth Jodi Na Sesh Hoy (4:30) – (with Srikanto Acharya & Others)
• Jedike Rasta (3:45)
• Tumi Nei Tai (4:07)
• Kato ki Korar Chhilo (4:32)
• Jagorone Jay Bibhabori (2:54) – (with Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury, & Kabir Suman)

Filmography

Awards

• 1981 - Best Actor award for film Chaalchitra in Venice Film Festival^[1]
• 2012 - National Film Award - Special Jury Award for Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona

References

2014– sesh bole kichu nai

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anjan Dutt.

• Anjan Dutt on IMDb