Manoj Mitra

December 22, 1938 – November 12, 2024

Manoj Mitra (22 December 1938—12 November 2024) was an Indian theatre, film and television actor, director and playwright. It was at Scottish Church College, Kolkata that he got initiated to theatre. There were regular shows at the college where the likes of Badal Sarkar, Rudraprasad Sengupta and others were students. He did his M.A. in philosophy from the University of Calcutta and began research for a doctorate. But by then he and friends like theatre and film director Partha Pratim Chowdhury had begun the group Sundaram. He began by teaching philosophy in the Suri Vidyasagar College (only one day) and later joined the drama department at the Rabindra Bharati University, where he became the head of department and retired as Sisirkumar Bhaduri professor of the University. But by then he was a leading playwright of West Bengal. He was writing, directing and acting in plays. His first play Bogol Dhiman won him first prize at the statewide competition. He has written over a hundred plays like Sajano Bagaan, Chokhe Angul Dada, Kaalbihongo, Parabas, Alokanandar Putra Kanya, Narak Guljar, Aswathama, Chakbhanga Madhu, Mesh O Rakhash, Noisho Bhoj, Chhayar Prashad, Galpo Hekim Saheb, Rajdarshan, Debi Swarpamasta, Munni O Saat Chowkidar, Ranger haat, Ja Nei Bharatey. While most of these plays were produced by Sundaram, Bohurupee etc. He also played a soulful role in the movie "Hothat Bristy" (Sudden Rain) in 1998 produced by both Bangladesh & India. His works have been translated into many languages. Mitra has written several books on film and theatre. He was the President of the Paschim Banga Natya Akademi from which he resigned citing health issues in August 2019.