Legendary Bengali playwright, actor Manoj Mitra passes away at 86
Manoj Mitra, the renowned Bengali playwright, actor, and director, passed away on Monday, after struggling with health issues. Born in 1938 in Satkhira (now part of Bangladesh), he became a significant figure in Bengali theatre and cinema. Mitra was a passionate advocate for the arts, founding the Sundaram theatre group and making substantial contributions to Bengali drama with works like Sajano Bagaan, Chokhe Angul Dada, and Kaalbihongo.
In cinema, Mitra's career spanned decades with notable roles in films such as Bancharamer Bagan (1980), Baidurya Rahasya (1985), Judge Saheb (1989), and Tritiyo Purush (2022). His versatility across both theatre and film earned him a cherished place in Bengali cultural circles.
Additionally, Mitra was a prolific writer, penning works like The Theatre of Conscience and Saiyan Beiman. A respected academic, he taught drama at Rabindra Bharati University and was also involved in visual arts.
His family included his father, Ashok Kumar Mitra, a government employee, and his brother Amar Mitra, a fellow writer. Though private about his personal life, his immense impact on both the artistic and academic realms is undeniable.