Hemanga Biswas

Hemanga Biswas
Biswas in the 1980s
Born	14, December 1912,Sylhet,Assam
Died	at 3:45 AM, 22,November 1987
Nationality	Indian

Hemango Biswas (Bengali: হেমাঙ্গ বিশ্বাস Hemango Bish-shash) was a Bengali singer, composer, author and political activist, known for his advocacy of peoples music, drawing from the rich genres of folk music (Lokgeet), including Bhatiali originally popular among the fishermen of Bangladesh. He was born in Assam 14, December 1912 and he was admitted with respiratory problem in PG hospital and died on 22nd November 1987.

Biswas was born in Habiganj, Sylhet (now in Bangladesh) on 14 December 1912, to Harakumar and Sarojini Biswas. did not complete his formal education. He went to the Middle English school in Habiganj and got enrolled in the George Institution of Dibrugarh (now in Assam), and passed his Entrance in 1930 from Habiganj Govt High School.

Hemango Biswas wrote and sang some popular songs in Bengali. Once a fierce debate ensued between Hemango Biswas and Salil Choudhury on the way of translating the ideal of people's art:

In the meeting of commission on music in Bombay Conference of IPTA, difference of opinion arose between two exponents of people's culture, Hemango Biswas and Salil Choudhury. Hemango Biswas, who was setting most of his lyrics to folk tunes, was in favour of relying only on folk tunes for mass songs with an eye to take it to the peasant masses. Salil Choudhury, on the contrary was of the view of blending folk tunes with harmony of western music. He went to the extent of making oblique remark to Com. Biswas to give up traveling by train, as that is a gift of western civilization and accept bullock cart that is used by the peasant masses. Com. Biswas, in reply accused Com. Choudhury of propounding formalism in people's art. During later part of his life, however Com. Biswas could realize shortcoming of his position and went on to compose mass songs with diverse experimentation. It may be mentioned here that during the debate in Bombay Conference, both Com. Biswas and Com. Choudhury touched upon certain important aspect of people's culture, which was not dealt with till then, but ultimately entire exercise ended in personal accusations.

Hemango Biswas translated The Internationale to Bengali.

In West Bengal, India and in Bangladesh there are two versions of "We shall overcome", both popular among school-children and political activists. one of those versions, Amra Karbo Joy was translated by the Bengali folk singer Hemango Biswas and re-recorded by Bhupen Hazarika.