Supriya Devi
Encyclopedia
Supriya Devi (born 8 January 1935), also known as Supriya Choudhury , is an India
n Bengali
female actor, acting in Bengali cinema
s for more than 50 years. Her real name was Krishna and nickname is Benu. She received Banga-Vibhushan
, the highest civilian honour in West Bengal
in 2011.
(then Burma). Her father was noted lawyer Gopal Chandra Banerjee. During World War II
, a great number of Indians returned to India after settling in Burma. Supriya's family ended up settling in the southern part of Calcutta.
In 1948, the Bannerjees left Burma for good and re-settled in Calcutta. They had been refugees in 1942 when the Japanese forces occupied Burma.The young Supriya and her family were forced to undertake an arduous trek on foot to the safety of Calcutta.
In Calcutta, she resumed her dance lessons and trained under Guru Muruthappan Pillai and later under Guru Prahlad Das. Supriya and her family were in friendly terms with Chandrabati Devi, a popular character actor, who was their neighbour. It was through the Chandrabati Devi’s inspiration and contacts that Supriya Devi stepped into the world of Bengali films.
The renowned Bengali short story writer Balai Chand Mukhopadhyaya whose pseudonym was Banaphool
, was married to her elder sister.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
female actor, acting in Bengali cinema
Bengali cinema
Bengali cinema refers to the Bengali language filmmaking industries in the Bengal region of South Asia. There are two major film-making hubs in the region: one in Kolkata, West Bengal, India and the other in Dhaka, Bangladesh .The history of cinema in Bengal dates back to the 1890s, when the first...
s for more than 50 years. Her real name was Krishna and nickname is Benu. She received Banga-Vibhushan
Banga-Vibhushan
Banga-Vibhushan is a title instituted by the West Bengal Government to honour the services of personalities in various fields. This award is apparently instituted on the lines of Padma Vibhushan title awarded nationally....
, the highest civilian honour in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
in 2011.
Early life
Supriya Devi was born in Michkina, MyanmarMyanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
(then Burma). Her father was noted lawyer Gopal Chandra Banerjee. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a great number of Indians returned to India after settling in Burma. Supriya's family ended up settling in the southern part of Calcutta.
Career
Supriya Devi was seven years old when she made her acting début in two plays directed by her father. She was a keen dancer since her childhood even receiving an award from Thakin Nu, the then Prime Minister of Burma, who was moved by one of her dance recitals. From her childhood her closest friend was Nihar Dutta who married Guha Thakurata Family and became Mrs.Nihar Guha Thakurata, an eminent Social Worker of Burma of her time.In 1948, the Bannerjees left Burma for good and re-settled in Calcutta. They had been refugees in 1942 when the Japanese forces occupied Burma.The young Supriya and her family were forced to undertake an arduous trek on foot to the safety of Calcutta.
In Calcutta, she resumed her dance lessons and trained under Guru Muruthappan Pillai and later under Guru Prahlad Das. Supriya and her family were in friendly terms with Chandrabati Devi, a popular character actor, who was their neighbour. It was through the Chandrabati Devi’s inspiration and contacts that Supriya Devi stepped into the world of Bengali films.
Personal life
In 1954, Supriya Devi married Bishwanath Choudhury and a few years later her only daughter Soma was born. She retired from films for a while before returning with a bang in the late 1950s. After doing some scintillating works with Uttam Kumar in some films, they had a relationship. Afterward, they lived together for several years.Filmography
- The NamesakeThe Namesake (film)The Namesake is a 2006 film which was released in the United States on March 9, 2007, following screenings at film festivals in Toronto and New York City. It was directed by Mira Nair and is based upon the novel of the same name by Jhumpa Lahiri, who appeared in the movie. Sooni Taraporevala...
(2006) .... Ashima's Grandmother - Ekti Nadir Naam (2002)
- Shesh Thikana (2000) .... Sriradha's grandmother
- Honeymoon (1992)
- Kalankini Kankabati (1981)
- Debdas (1979) .... Chandramukhi
- Dui Purush (1978) .... Bimala
- Sandhya Raag (1977)
- Sanyasi Raja (1975)
- Jadi Jantem (1974) .... Sujata
- Bon Palashir Padabali (1973) .... Padma
- Chiradiner (1969)
- ChowringheeChowringhee (film)Chowringhee is a 1968 film by Pinaki Bhushan Mukherjee, starring Supriya Devi and Uttam Kumar. The film is based on the best-selling novelof the same name by Shankar and was a huge hit in its own right.-Plot:...
(1968) .... Karabi Guha - Teen Adhaya (1968)
- Kal Tumi Aleya (1966) .... Dr. Labanya Sarkar
- Shudhu Ekti Bachhar (1966)
- Aap Ki Parchhaiyan (1964) .... Asha
- Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) .... Meera
- Lal PattharLal PattharLal Patthar is a 1971 Hindi film, produced by F. C. Mehra, and directed by Sushil Majumdar. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Vinod Mehra, Hema Malini, Rakhee, Ajit, Asit Sen and Paintal...
(1964) - Begaana (1963)
- Surya Sikha (1963)
- Uttarayan (1963)
- Komal GandharKomal GandharKamol Gandhar is a 1961 Bengali film written and directed by noted film maker Ritwik Ghatak...
(1961) .... Ansuya - Madhya Rater Tara (1961)
- Meghe Dhaka TaraMeghe Dhaka TaraMeghe Dhaka Tara is a 1960 film by written and director Ritwik Ghatak, based on a novel Shaktipada Rajguru. It stars Supriya Choudhury, Anil Chatterjee, Gita Dey, Bijan Bhattacharya, Niranjan Roy, and Gyanesh Mukherjee...
(1960) .... Nita - Natun Fasal (1960)
- Suno Baranari (1960)
- Basu Paribar (1952) .... Sukhen's Sister
The renowned Bengali short story writer Balai Chand Mukhopadhyaya whose pseudonym was Banaphool
Banaphool
Banaphool is the pen name of the Bengali author, playwright and poet, Balāi Chānd Mukhopādhyāy .- Life:...
, was married to her elder sister.