GUWAHATI, May 18 – Celebrated thespian Girish Chowdhury passed away at his Ulubari home at 9-20 am today. Chowdhury, among the pioneers of co-acting on stage in the State, was also at the forefront of popularising stage drama in the State for well over four decades. He had been suffering from old-age ailments for some time and was discharged from the Guwahati Medical College Hospital only yesterday. He was 83.
Chowdhury dedicated his whole life towards the uplift of drama and left his indelible imprint by playing the lead role in about a hundred stage plays. He used to act with ?lan in films as well, beginning with the Sati Beula way back in 1953. His other notable films include Meghmukti, Matir Swarga, Akan, Sara Pat, Kazirangar Kahini, Sonti and Manasi. But his heart was always in stage drama, and such was his passion for the stage that he turned down innumerable offers from filmmakers so that he could devote himself wholeheartedly towards the perfection of drama.
Born on March 5, 1921 in Guwahati, Chowdhury took to the stage at the early age of 15, and since then it had been a saga of total commitment for a single cause. He was instrumental in popularising co-acting, and with the staging of the Shah Jahan (which he himself directed besides playing the lead role) at the Arya Natya Mandir, Panbazar, in 1949, co-acting got the much-needed thrust and his untiring efforts took the movement to every nook and corner of the State, overcoming the heavy odds posed by a conservative society. He remained a man of the stage throughout and went on acting almost till his last days. Assamese plays apart, he was equally at ease in acting in Bengali plays and performed outside the State on umpteen occasions. He was very much concerned about the future of drama and used to personally train young boys and girls in the finer nuances of the art.
Chowdhury had been a regular performer at the All India Radio, Guwahati, since its inception in 1948 and participated in some 500 radio plays besides directing many. He was associated with the Guwahati Doordarshan also since its foundation and acted in a number of plays and serials. All his life he remained involved with various activities related to dramatics. President of the Gauhati Silpi Samaj, he rendered his service as the honorary president of the Assam Cine Artistes and Technicians Association for the last ten years. Member of the State Advisory Board, Department of Cultural Affairs, he also had a long stint as chairman of Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society, the only film studio in the North East from 1953 to 1996.
Chowdhury’s last rites will be performed at the Bhootnath crematorium tomorrow. Before cremation, the entourage with his body will stop at Ulubari Bihutali, Shivamandir, Jyoti Chitraban, Agradoot, Sankardev Kalakshetra, AIR, Guwahati, Ravindra Bhavan, Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir, Swahid Nyas Bhavan, and Kumarpara. The artiste leaves behind his wife Tutu Chowdhury, son Gautom Chowdhury and daughter Gitanjali Chowdhury.
Winner of the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2001-02, Chowdhury was also conferred with the Bishnu Rabha and Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala awards. Many honours and accolades came his way during his pursuit of excellence in his chosen field. He was honoured with the title ‘Natya Samrat’ in 1974 by the Gauhati Silpi Sangha in recognition of his brilliance on the stage.
The maestro’s deep sense of involvement in drama found an outlet through writing as well. An eminent playwright in his own right, he wrote a number of radio plays as well as several stage plays besides contributing innumerable articles on the art of drama in various magazines and journals. He wrote screen-plays, dialogues and directed Assamese films, notably the Matir Swarga, produced under his home production Chowdhury Chitrayan. He was the elder brother of Anil Chowdhury, the noted director-producer. He also directed and produced documentaries.
Following his death this morning, people from all walks of life, including stalwarts from the State’s cultural and literary arena and his fans and followers, made a beeline to his residence to pay their last respects to the great artiste. Among them were veteran politician Sarat Chandra Sinha, Ministers Pankaj Bora and Pronoti Phukan, artistes Khagen Mahanta, Archana Mahanta and Keshab Mahanta, actors Nipon Goswami, Pranjal Saiklia, Dinesh Das, Ravi Sharma etc., and AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya.
Meanwhile, condolence messages are pouring in from all quarters expressing deep sorrow at the death of the cultural icon. The Gauhati Silpi Sangha, Artistes’ Welfare Fund: Assam, Kamrup Natya Samiti, Pragati Silpi Sangha, Assam Cine Art Development Association, AASU, AGP leader Biraj Kumar Sarma, among others, mourned his demise and said it has created a huge void in the State’s cultural arena.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today deeply condoled the death of Natya Samrat Girish Chowdhury. In a message, he recollected the immense contribution of the maestro who gave a new dimension to the drama movement by acting in over 800 plays as well as a number of films. He also conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.