BISWAS, ANIL (B 1914)
Bengali and Hindi composer born in Barisal (now Bangladesh). A talented tabia player
since infancy, he worked in amateur theatre as child singer. Became a political activist as a
student and was associated with terrorist insurgency movements in Bengal. Repeatedly
jailed in early 30's Received early assigments as musician from Kazi Nazrul
Islam at the Megaphone Gramophone Co Then scored and acted in several commercial Calcutta Theatres stage productions, notably
in the Rangmahal theatre. Moved to Bombay (1934) where he was first employed by Ram
Daryani's Eastern Art Syndicate, then by Sagar and its successor National Studio (1940-2) and
finally by Bombay Talkies (1942-6) before turning freelance. Bestknown compositions
are among the most effective film adaptations of theatrical music, with 12 piece orchestras
and fullblooded choral effects in e.g. the Amirbai Karnataki songs of GyanMukherjee's
Kismet and even more so in Mehboob's early films. His recitative prose songs in Roti helped
give the film its parable dimension and came close to an indigenous Brechtian mode. His
work is a rare effort in popular Hindi film to define a cultural political avantgarde. Later
composed music for K.A. Abbas's films (e.g. the famous 'songless' Munna) and for Mahesh
Kaul. Music co-d for Begunah, using the name Haribhai. Scored Doordarshan's pioneering
series Humlog (1984-5) and a number of Films Division documentaries (e.g. Controlling Aphids in Mustard Crop, 1979;
Dcvelopment )of Inland Fisheries, 1988; Modern Seeding and Planting Equipment, 1991, etc.) .
FILMOGRAPHY (* also act): 1935: Bal Hatya, Bharat Ki Beti, Dhuram Ki Devi*, 1936: Fida-e-Watan. Piyu Ki Jogan; Pratima, Prem
Bandhan, Sungdil Samaj; Sher Ka Panja, Shukh Dilruba, 1937: Bulldog, Dukhiari, Gentleman
Daku, Insaaf,Jagirdar, Kokila,Mahageet: 1938: Three Hundred Days and
After, Dynamite, Gramophone Singer, Hum Tum Aur Woh, Nirala Hindustan, Abhilasha,
Watan; 1939: Jeevan Saathi, Ek Hi Raasta,1940: Alibabu, Aurat,Pooja, 1941: Aasra,
Bahen, Nai Roshni, 1942: Aptna Paraya, Garib,Jawani, Roti, Vijay, 1943: Hamari
Baat', Kismet, 1944: Char Aankhen,Jwar Bhata, Lady Doctor, 1945: Pehli Nazar, 1946:
Darbun,Nauka Dubi/Milan, 1947: Bhookh, Munjdhar, Naiyu, 1948: AnokhaPyar, Gajre,
Veena, 1949: Girls' School (with C. Ramchandra);Jeet; Laadli, Begunah, 1950:Arzoo, Beqasoor, Lajawaab, 1951:
Aaram, Badi Bahu, Do Sitare, Tarana, 1952: Do Raha, Rahi, 1953: Akash, Faraib, Humdard,
Jallianwala Bagh Ki Jyot, Mehmaan, 1954: Maan, Mahatma Kabir, Munna, Naaz, Waris
1955: Faraar, Do-janay, Jasoos; 1956: Heer, Paisa Hi Paisa, 1957: Abhimaan, Jalti
Nisham, Pardesi, 1958: Sanskar, 1959: Char Dil Char Raahein, 1960: Angulimal, Return
of Mr Superman', Meera Ka Chitra, 1961: Lucky Number, Savitri, 1962: Hame Khelne
Do, Sautela Bhai, 1964: Raju Aur Gangaram 1965: Chhoti Chhoti Baatein.