Chinmoy Chattopadhyay

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Chinmoy Chattopadhyay
File:Chinmoy.jpg
Background information
Birth nameChinmoy Chattopadhyay
Born1930
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Died1987
GenresRabindrasangeet
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1960–1987
LabelsHMV, Saregama

Chinmoy Chattopadhyay (Bengali: চিন্ময় চট্টোপাধ্যায়; also Chinmoy Chatterjee; 7 October 1930 – 26 July 1987) was a Bengali singer primarily known for singing Rabindrasangeet songs. He is widely considered as one of the greatest exponents of Rabindrasangeet.[1][2][3]

Life and career[edit]

Chinmoy Chattopadhyay was born in 1930 Panihati in Bengal, India. His father was Narendranath Chattopadhyay. He passed Matriculation from Tirthapati Institution in Calcutta and BA from Ashutosh College, West Bengal, India.

Vishmadev Chattopadhyay was an eminent vocal artist in Indian Classical Music, a revered Guru (আচার্য্য or Ustad) in the Delhi Gharana of the vocal classical genre, and a music director in Bengali Film Industry in its early era.

When Chinmoy Chattopadhyay was a student, one day he had the opportunity to see a program of Vishmadev Chattopadhyay, one of the leading classical singer of India. Vishmadev Chattopadhyay's house was then in North Calcutta. Chinmoy went with some friends to watch the show. Vishmadev Chattopadhyay asked, "You have come here to listen to music, do you know any music?" Pushing the silent Chinmoy, his friends started saying, "you know the song! Tell him?"

On hearing this, Vishmadev Babu requested Chinmoy to sing a song. Chinmoy sang a song using Tanpura. Bhishmadev Babu had tears in his eyes after being stunned for a while. Said, "Will you learn music?" At his words, Chinmoy got the great opportunity. The next day Vishmadev Chattopadhyay himself went to Chinmoy's house. Bhishmadev Chattopadhyay himself told Chinmoy's father that day that he would teach Chinmoy music, as well as continue study.

His first song to be sung on Akashvani was probably 'তুমি ডাক দিয়েছ কোন সকালে' . After auditioning on Chinmoy Radio with confidence, he knew very well that he would be accepted. Not only that, he was once a regular artist in Akashvani.

His first record in college life was released in 78 rpm disc record by H M V in 1954. . "Tumi Sandhyar Meghmala" and "Aji Bijan Ghare" on the disc, the song stirred the audience.

Chinmoy Chattopadhyay took training on classical music (vocal) from Bhishmadev Chattopadhyay for about twelve consecutive years. He used to sing in Akashvani from the age of only nineteen.

He started singing Rabindrasangeet songs in the 1950s. He stood out among other stalwarts like Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Debabrata Biswas and became extremely popular due to his melodious voice. He recorded more than 150 Rabindrasangeet songs and was a regular fixture on All India Radio's programs on Rabindrasangeet.

He died in 26 July 1987, at the age of 57, due to liver ailments.

In the Rabindra Sarobar area of Kolkata, the Russa Road East 2nd Lane, north of the Tollygunge Metro station, was rechristened as the Chinmoy Chatterjee Sarani after him. His residential address is 84, Chinmoy Chatterjee Sarani, Kolkata [4]

Discography[edit]

File:Rabindrasangeet singers.jpg
Chinmoy Chattopadhyay with Suchitra Mitra, Purnima Mukhopadhyay, Kanika Bandopadhyay and Maya Sen, all notable exponents of Rabindrasangeet

Chinmoy Chattopadhyay sang many Rabindrasangeet which were widely released during his lifetime as well as after his death.[5][6][7][8]

Year Album Other artists
1966 Bhara Thak Smritisudhai
1968 Rare Gems Tagore
1968 Golden Hour – Sentimental Favorites
1970 Ebar Amay Dakle Dure
1970 Golden Hour – Songs of Tagore
1970 Hriday Basanta Bone
1971 Kholo Go Ankhi – Golden Hour
1978 Bhalo Jodi Basho Sokhi
1979 Sanchayan with Sumitra Sen
1979 Sanchayan – Sandhyar Meghmala
1982 Alo Amar Alo Ogo
1986 Aparna Madhuri Various Artists
1989 Dinsesher Ranga Mukul
2005 Durer Bandhu
2011 Tridhara with Sumitra Sen and Sagar Sen

References[edit]

  1. "The magic of Rabindra Sangeet". The Tribune.
  2. "An Evening With Dr Sreekumar Chattopadhyay – 50 Years of Rabindra Sangeet".
  3. Das, Pradip Kumar (2013). The Homecoming and Other Stories. Partridge Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 9781482810493.
  4. "Chinmoy Chatterjee Sarani on Google Maps".
  5. "Chinmoy Chatterjee on Gaana".
  6. "Chinmoy Chatterjee on Saregama".
  7. "Chinmoy Chatterjee on LastFM".
  8. "Chinmoy Chatterjee on KKBox".