Dhananjay Bhattacharya
| Dhananjay Bhattacharya | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 10, 1922 West Bengal |
| Origin | India |
| Died | December 27, 1992 (aged 70) Kolkata |
| Genres | Adhunik Bangla Gaan (Bengali Modern Songs), Shyama Sangeet |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
Dhananjay Bhattacharya was one of the finest modern Bengali singers. He was a great versatile Shyama Sangeet singer. He was eight years elder than his younger brother Pannalal. He studied in Rivers Thompson School, Bally, Howrah.
He started his career by singing modern Bengali as well as Hindi songs. His first song was "Jodi bhule jao more/janabo na abhiman..." in the year 1940, recorded from Pioneer Company. His first playback however was in the year 1943. He was best known for singing Shyama Sangeet. Out of the total 24 songs in the movie Sadhak Ramprasad(1956), Dhananjay sang 23 songs. He was versatile in singing major types and forms of songs including Modern Bengali, Hindustani Classical Music, Rabindra Sangeet, Kirtan, Bhajan, Baul, Ramprasadi(of Ramprasad Sen), Nazrul Geeti, Shyama Sangeet etc. His singing career lasted more than fifty years. No. of records of his songs is 500. He was also a lyricist and wrote near about 400 songs in the name of "Shri Partha" and "Shri Ananda". He acted in a few films like "Nababidhan", "Pasher Bari", etc. In the film 'Pasher Bari'his song 'Jhir Jhir Jhir Jhirjhiri Baroshay' composed by Salil Chowdhury was an instant hit. 'Matite Janmo Nilam', 'Ei Jhir Jhir Jhir Batase',Jhanana Jhanana Baje' were some other major hits and still popular.
In his prime, his voice was mellifluous, his versatility, an un-inked watermark. ‘Niche’ audience he captured. With irreproachable style and sabeki accent. With ease, without the slightest hint of body movement. Not exactly a cock-a-hoop for the aam admi. His brand equity though was adamantine for those who accepted him. Strangely, even at the zenith of his career, many of his numbers were never broadcast over the AIR…A case in point was a chartbuster from a 1952 film; music composed by Salil Chowdhuri. The action defied logic. One wonders if it is because he had terminated his contract with the AIR earlier for his alleged difference of opinion. By any reckoning, it was a daring step, for the AIR was the only mass media channel available those days. What followed, however, was quite incredible. Heaps of protest letters from his fans started piling up on the tables of hapless AIR officials…They had had to back track and offer him a fresh contract.
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