A filmmaker's affinity for literature and Rabindra Sangeet

Tarun Majumdar. Photo: Ershad Kamol

For his honest depiction of Bengali life and culture in films, Tarun Majumdar has achieved critical acclaim and popularity. Many of the films such as Balika Badhu (1967), Phuleswari (1974), Ganadevta (1979), Shriman Prithviraj (1976), Dadar Kirti (1980), Bhalobasha Bhalobasha (1985) and Paroshmoni (1988) were commercially success and lauded by critics. He has consistently produced box-office hits for over forty years.
Tarun Majumdar was born in 1931 in Bogra (now Bangladesh). His early films were credited to 'Yatrik', the screen-name of the director trio: Tarun Majumdar, Sachin Mukherji, and Dilip Mukherji (until 1963, after which each began working separately). As 'Yatrik', the trio created classics such as Chaowa Paowa (1959), Polatok and Kancher Swarga (both released in 1963).
Many of his films are adaptations of literature. These include adaptations of classics by Bimal Kar, Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and Tarashankar Bandopadhyay. On the raison d'être, Tarun Majumdar explains, "For bold themes, I make films based on literature. I differ with directors who in the name of experimentation make non-narrative cinema."
"To me a film must draw the audience, as the medium is for the masses. I believe if the film is not commercially successful, it's not 'good', as the audience always go for good movies," he adds.
A common trait in his films is the ample use of Rabindra Sangeet to convey a range of emotions. According to the filmmaker, "Is there better lyric and tune than Tagore's creations in this part of the world? For me, Rabindra Sangeet are perfect as playback for my movies. Audience also seems to like the use of Tagore's songs in my films."
Many leading actors of the Tullygung-based film industry including Mousumi Chatterjee, Debashree Roy and Tapas Pal made their debut in films directed by Tarun Majumdar.
The director says, "Besides working with renowned actors such as Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Madhobi Mukherjee and others I've always wanted to work with fresh talents. Which is why I've given break to many new actors."
Starting from the mid-'90s, for almost a decade Tarun Majumdar gave up filmmaking. In 2003, he made a comeback with Alo -- based on a story by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. This film received both critical and popular acclaim and turned into a blockbuster. Later he made Bhalobashar Anek Naam (2006).
On his hiatus from the industry, Majumdar says, "The 'erosion of values' of the people involved with our film industry forced me to stay away. During that gap, I made documentaries. Hoping for better days, as some talented youngsters have emerged in the scene, I decided to make a comeback."
For his contribution to films, Tarun Majumdar has won several awards including the Indian National Film Award for Best Popular Film for Ganadevata (1979). Majumdar also won a Golden Lotus in 1979.