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{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Suchitra Mitra
| image = Suchitra_Mitra.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|9|19|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Gujhandi]], [[Bihar]], [[British India]]
| origin =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2011|1|3|1924|9|19|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Kolkata]], West Bengal, India
| genre = [[Playback singer|Playback singing]], [[Rabindrasangeet]]
| occupation = Singer
| instrument =
| years_active = 1941–2011
| website =
}}
'''Suchitra Mitra''' (19 September 1924 – 3 January 2011) was an [[India]]n singer, composer, artist exponent of [[Rabindra Sangeet]] or the songs of [[Bengal]]'s poet laureate [[Rabindranath Tagore]], professor, and the first woman [[Sheriff of Kolkata]]. As an academic, she remained a professor and the Head of ''Rabindra Sangeet Department'' at the [[Rabindra Bharati University]] for many years. Mitra was a [[playback singing|playback singer]] in [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali film]]s (and acted in some as well) <ref>{{cite book |title=Calcutta: a cultural and literary history|last= Dutta|first=Krishna|year=2003|publisher=Signal Books|isbn=1-902669-59-2 |page=226 |chapter= Cities of Imagination: Calcutta|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UKfoHi5412UC&q=Suchitra+Mitra&pg=PA226 }}</ref><ref>{{iMDb name|0593971}}</ref> and was associated for many years with the [[Indian People's Theatre Association]].

Mitra studied at the [[Scottish Church College]], the [[University of Calcutta]] and at [[Visva-Bharati University]] in West Bengal, India. She was also the [[Sheriff of Kolkata]] (2001).<ref>{{cite news |title=Journalist to be new sheriff|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-24/kolkata/28095823_1_new-sheriff-veteran-journalist-kolkata |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811035622/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-24/kolkata/28095823_1_new-sheriff-veteran-journalist-kolkata |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=24 December 2009 }}</ref> After prolonged illness Mitra died of a cardiac ailment on 3 January 2011, in [[Kolkata]].

==Early life==
Mitra's father, the celebrated littérateur, Saurindra Mohan Mukherjee, was a close associate of the [[Tagore family]] of [[Jorasanko]].{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} Suchitra Mitra's natural aptitude in music was recognised by [[Pankaj Mullick]], who gave her a first lesson in Rabindra Sangeet.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} From her childhood, as the youngest member of her family, Suchitra cultivated her love for the songs and poetry of Tagore. She had an unerring ear for music and a natural gift of voice and expression. She was born in a running train near station Gujhandi, so her nickname was Goju.

==Musical career==
In 1941, Suchitra Mitra received a scholarship to [[Sangit Bhavana]] in [[Santiniketan]], where she learnt [[Rabindra Sangeet]] from some of the greatest teachers - [[Indira Devi Chaudhurani]], [[Santidev Ghosh]], and [[Sailajaranjan Majumdar]]. Having obtained her diploma from Santiniketan, Suchitra Mitra returned to Calcutta in 1945. In 1946, she earned her degree from [[Scottish Church College]] of the [[University of Calcutta]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra passes away|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rabindra-sangeet-exponent-suchitra-mitra-pas/732688/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=3 January 2011 }}</ref> In the same year, she co-founded ''Rabitirtha'' along with Dwijen Chowdhury<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Rabitirtha-Music-Academy-54608.htm |title=Rabitirtha Music Academy in Kolkata}}</ref> (the name Rabitirtha was coined by renowned historian and Tagore scholar Professor Kalidas Nag).<ref>{{cite news |title=Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra dies at 86|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rabindra-sangeet-exponent-suchitra-mitra-passes-away/1/125449.html |work=[[India Today]] |date=3 January 2011 }}</ref> Under Suchitra's leadership, Rabitirtha emerged as one of the leading schools of Rabindra Sangeet (in Kolkata). Founder and Principal, Suchitra Mitra was an active figure and inspiration behind this establishment. Her dedication, sincerity and comprehension of the subtle nuances underlying Tagore's songs is indeed praiseworthy.<ref>''Cultural profiles'', by Rekha Menon. Published by Inter-National Cultural Centre, 1961. ''Page 20''</ref>

Suchitra was an exponent and an interpreter of Tagore's musical compositions. Her other interests included [[performing arts]], including theatrical performances, film-acting, painting, etc. Mitra produced [[Rabindra Nritya Natya]]s (or Tagore's dance dramas); she had acted and danced in many of them. She also acted in stage-plays/dance-drama like ''Valmiki Pratibha'' and in films like ''Dahan'' directed by Rituparno Ghosh. Her other intellectual pursuits included: reciting poetry, writing short stories, poems and children's rhymes, publishing essays and books on more thought-provoking subjects, such as the grammar and techniques involved in rendering Rabindra Sangeet or on the aesthetics of the music of Tagore. Her greatest achievements may have been her ability to immortalise Tagore's songs both at home and abroad to people of all ages. Invited to the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] and [[Hungary]], Mitra spread the message of Tagore to the western audience. With the ''Rabitirtha'' troupe, she performed Tagore's dance dramas in the USA and Canada. She was the author of many books in Bengali on Rabindra Sangeet, and had recently directed her efforts towards compiling an encyclopaedia of Tagore's songs for students and researchers. Suchitra Mitra's repertoire and expertise, coupled with her ability to inculcate in others the love of Rabindra Sangeet, establishes her as one of the notable names in the world of performing arts in India. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan recognises her as his guide into the world of Rabindrasangeet.<ref>[http://www.stanford.edu/~subh/suchitra_bio.html Suchitra Mitra] at Stanford University</ref>

Suchitra was considered to be one of the most versatile exponents of Rabindra Sangeet, and in recognition thereof she was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] by the [[Government of India]] in 1974. Together with Kanika Bandopadhyay, Debabrata Biswas and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, she formed the Golden Quartet of Rabindrasangeet who popularised the compositions of Rabindranath Tagore and left an indelible impression in the fields of arts and culture.

==Recognition==
Her reputation as a successful artiste resulted in her appointment as lecturer in [[Rabindra Bharati University]], where she held the prestigious office of Head of the Department of Music. She also succeeded Pankaj Mullick in Sangeet Sikshar Asar - a very popular programme of Akashvani - a tutorial on Rabindrasangeet that was broadcast live. In recognition of her creative talents, Suchitra Mitra received numerous accolades. Some of Mitra's notable awards included.

*Tagore Hymn Prize in 1945 from London Tagore Hymn Society.
*[[Padma Shri]] in 1974 from the [[Government of India]]
*[[Sangeet Natak Academy]] Award in 1986 from the Government of India
*[[HMV]] Golden Disc Award,
*Shiromoni Puraskar from [[Asian Paints]],
*Desikottama from [[Visva-Bharati]],
*Allauddin Puraskar from the [[Government of West Bengal]], among numerous others.

She was conferred 3 honorary D.Litt. degrees by the [[Rabindra Bharati University]], the [[University of Burdwan]] and [[Jadavpur University]]. As aforementioned, Mitra was also the recipient of the Desikottama (or honorary [[D.Litt]]) of the [[Visva-Bharati University]], which is regarded as the pinnacle of recognition in the genre of Rabindra Sangeet.

She retired in 1984 from Rabindra Bharati University as a professor and the Head of Rabindra Sangeet Department.<ref>[http://www.stanford.edu/~subh/suchitra_bio.html "Suchitra Mitra"], Stanford University, www.stanford.edu.</ref>

Her presence has been an inspiration to younger generations of artists who wish to master the art of Tagore.

==In popular culture==
She has been the subject of multiple biographic documentary films. One of them, titled ''Suchitra Mitra'' (1993) by [[Raja Sen]], went on to win the [[National Film Award (India)|National Film Award]] for [[National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film|Best Cultural Film]].<ref>[http://www.calcuttaweb.com/cinema/rajasen.shtml Raja Sen biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102074219/http://calcuttaweb.com/cinema/rajasen.shtml |date=2 January 2010 }}</ref>
She was awarded Rabindra-Tattwacharya by Tagore Research Institute, Kolkata.

She became the first female Sheriff of Kolkata in 2001.

==Bibliography==
*''Tagore songs'' (encyclopedia). 1984.
*''Gurer Putul''. Ananda Publishers. 2000. {{ISBN|81-7215-457-7}}.
*''Ratanpurer Rahasya''. Ananda Publishers. {{ISBN|81-7756-077-8}}.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.parabaas.com/SHOROT2/NOFRAME/LEKHA8/bEk.html Suchitra Mitra Interview at Parabaas, a Bengali webzine]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070623131337/http://www.rabitirtha.org/ourinspiration/ourinspiration.htm Suchitra Mitra] at "Rabitirtha" website
*[http://www.stanford.edu/~subh/suchitra.html Suchitra Mitra, webpage] at [[Stanford University]]
*[http://www.stanford.edu/~subh/suchitra_bio.html Suchitra Mitra biography] at [[Stanford University]]

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}
{{Notable singers of Rabindra Sangeet}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitra, Suchitra}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:Scottish Church College alumni]]
[[Category:Actresses in Bengali cinema]]
[[Category:Bengali singers]]
[[Category:Indian women academics]]
[[Category:Indian female film singers]]
[[Category:Indian music educators]]
[[Category:Indian People's Theatre Association people]]
[[Category:Singers from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Rabindra Bharati University faculty]]
[[Category:Rabindra Sangeet exponents]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in science & engineering]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Sheriffs of Kolkata]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:Visva-Bharati University alumni]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:Indian female classical singers]]
[[Category:Female classical composers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:Women educators from Bihar]]
[[Category:Educators from Bihar]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Bihar]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Bihar]]
[[Category:Scholars from Bihar]]
[[Category:Women musicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Scholars from Kolkata]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:20th-century women composers]]
[[Category:21st-century women composers]]
[[Category:19th-century women composers]]
[[Category:20th-century women educators]]

Suchitra Mitra - Revision history

imported>BD2412: /* top */Typo fixing for Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss, replaced: ,a → , a