Greatness comes in many forms, and one of them was the form of Harindernath Chattopadhyay, who was a poet, playwright, actor, musician, politician, and also active in the freedom movement. He was the brother of the great Sarojini Naidu and the husband of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay.
Early Life
Harindranath Chattopadhyay was a man of many talents and a significant figure in Indian history. Born on April 2, 1898, in Hyderabad. He belonged to a distinguished Bengali family settled in the Deccan. His father, Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, held a Doctorate of Science from the University of Edinburgh and founded Hyderabad College, later Nizam’s College. His mother, Barada Sundari Devi, was a poet who wrote in Bengali. He was the younger brother of Sarojini Naidu, a prominent Congress leader, and Virendranath Chattopadhyay, a communist revolutionary.
Harindranath studied at home initially, encouraged by his family to write verse. He later joined Fitzwilliam Hall at Cambridge University, researching William Blake and the Sufis. His education blended formal academics with self-directed literary pursuits, shaping his creative output.
Harindranath Chattopadhyay – The Poet
Harindranath entered entertainment through poetry and theater. He began writing plays and poems in India before moving to England in 1919. Rabindranath Tagore praised his early poem “Coloured Garden” at age 11. Chattopadhyay’s literary journey began early with his first book of poems, “The Feast of Youth,” published at the age of 19. His works, including famous poems like “Noon” and “Shaper Shaped.” His London stay exposed him to dramatic traditions, including performances at the Little Theatre. Back in India, he joined All India Radio (AIR) to recite poems and later ventured into cinema with supporting roles in the 1960s.
Harindranath’s literary career flourished with numerous works. His notable books include The Magic Tree (1922), Ancient Wings (1923), Blood of Stones (1944), Spring in Winter (1955), and Virgins and Vineyards (1967). He wrote over 200 volumes, including 3,000 lyrics and 5,000 sonnets. Some of his famous poems include The Lady’s Giant Hat, The Earthen Goblet, Salute to R-day, Fire, Beside the Death Bed, Sorrow, Futurity, Shaper Shaped, Voyage, Things I Love, Curious Town, The Duck and many more. Chattopadhyay was also a pioneer in Hindi nursery rhymes and an inspired singer-songwriter, despite Hindi not being his mother tongue. His musical talents were evident in his compositions and performances, which resonated with the spirit of India.
Harindranath Chattopadhyay – The Actor
Harindranath excelled in theater, starting with Utpal Dutt’s troupe in India. He staged plays like Tukaram in London in 1928, singing live in Marathi. Some of his most memorable works include Abul Hasan (1918), Five Plays (1937), and Siddhartha, Man of Peace (1956). He experimented with The Sleeper Awakened, blending English verse with Vedic meters, captivating audiences with bold staging.
Harindernath Chattopadhyay made his debut when he was over 60. It was the 1962 classic “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,” where he played Ghari Babu, witnessing the decline of the zamindari system. He famously played the arch-rival of Om Prakash in Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963). In 1969, he acted as Magician Barfi in Satyajit Ray’s “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne.” He also acted in Ray’s Seemabaddha (1971) and Sonar Kella (1974).
He appeared in films like Merchant Ivory’s The Householder (1963), Sanjh Aur Savera (1964), Teen Devian (1965), Shreeman Funtoosh (1965), Bhoot Bangla (1965), Raaz (1967), Raat Aur Din (1967), Naunihal (1967), and Abhilasha (1968).
Later Films
In 1968, he acted in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s “Ashirwaad,” starring Ashok Kumar, Veena, Sanjeev Kumar, and Sumita Sanyal. The famous “Rail Gaadi” song Ashok Kumar sang was written by Chattopadhyay and was earlier performed by him on All India Radio.
One of Chattopadhyay’s most memorable roles came in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s “Bawarchi” in 1972, which was adapted from the Bengali film “Galpo Holeo Satti,” directed by Tapan Sinha. His acting in films is fondly remembered and showcases his ability to bring warmth and depth to his characters.
He then acted in films such as Aashiana (1974), Mehbooba (1976), Mera Jeewan (1976), Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978), Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981), Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982), Hořký podzim s vůní manga (1984), Phir Aayee Barsat (1985). He acted in the TV Serial Ados Pados (1984) with Amol Palekar. His final films role came in Maalamaal (1988).
The Musician and Lyricist
Chattopadhyay’s talents were not limited to acting; he was also involved in the music department for several films. He was a lyricist for movies like Unchi Uraan (1984) and “Julie (1975).” Some of his famous songs include “Surya Ast Ho Gaya,” “Tarun Arun Se Ranjit Dharani,” “Come On, Come On, O Darling (Paapi),” “Geeta Shlok & I Love You Only (Swarg Nark),” “Hi Hi Hi Hi And Ho Ho Ho Ho,” and “I And You Just You And I” in Unchi Uran, and “My heart is beating” from Julie (1975), which was sung superbly by Preeti Sagar.
He also lent his voice as a playback singer for “Bhor Aai Gaya Andhiyara” and “Hey Good Morning” in “Bawarchi,” “Jhingapore Taqur Taqur,” “Kaano Ki Ek Nagri Dekhi,” and “Saaf Karo Insaaf Karo” in Ashirwad.
The Man With Many Talents
Chattopadhyay’s family background was as illustrious as his achievements. He was the younger brother of Sarojini Naidu, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle and the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress. His other siblings also made significant contributions to various fields, reflecting the intellectual environment in which he was raised. Chattopadhyay was a member of the 1st Lok Sabha, representing the Vijayawada constituency. In 1973, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan for his service to the country.
Harindranath married Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, a widow, in 1919, introduced by his sister Suhasini. They divorced, marking India’s first legal separation. They had a son, Ramakrishna Chattopadhyay, and a later son, Lakshman, a filmmaker. Grandchildren include Neelkanth, a musician, and Nina.
Chattopadhyay passed away on June 23, 1990, but his legacy in both literature and film continues to inspire. His life was a confluence of art, culture, and politics, making him a true Renaissance man. His legacy continues to inspire generations, and his works remain a testament to his multifaceted genius.
Harindranath Chattopadhyay on IMDB
