Suchitra Mitra is one of the leading Ranbindra sangeet singers of Kolkata. As her father Mr. Saurindra Mohan Mukherjee was closely associated with Jorasako Tagore family, Young Suchitra (the youngest member of her family) got inspiration from this royal “Thakur Parivar” and started learning Tagore songs from a very early age. Pankaj Kumar Mullick was the first person, who gave her lesson in Tagore songs.
This great lady had been the student of Scottish Church College and later studied at Visva-Bharati University. Later, in the year 1941, Ms. Mitra got a scholarship to Sangeet Bhavan, Santiniketan. There she got the opportunity to learn from the renowned exponents of Tagore songs. Some among them were Shantidev Ghosh, Indiradevi Chaudhurani and Shailajaranjan Mazumdar. After completing her diploma course from Santiniketan, this talented and gifted singer returned to Kolkata.
She also did her Masters in Bengali from the University of Calcutta. Suchitra Mitra has established “Rabitirtha”, which is considered to be one of the best music schools of Tagore songs. She is the founder, as well as the principal of this school.
As an honor, Suchitra Mitra was also given the post of Lecturer in the University of Rabindra Bharati. There she enjoyed the designation of Head of the Music Department.
This popular Ranbindra Sangeet singer also received several awards. They are Tagore Hymn Prize, 1945 (from London), Padma Shri, 1973 (by the India Government), Sangit Natak Academy Award, 1986,
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Shiromoni Puraskar (from Asian Paints), HMV Golden Disc Award, Allauddin Puraskar (from the West Bengal Government), Desikottam (from Viswa-Bharati) and several others. Suchitra Mitra was also invited to Hungary and USSR, where she spread Gurudev's messages. Apart from this, in the United States and Canada, this noted personality performed Rabindranath's dance dramas with the Rabitirtha troupe.
Some of the Tagore songs that Suchitra Mitra sung and acquired world-wide popularity are:
- Badal meghey madal baajey
- Aaj dhaaner khetey
- Dyakho Dyakho Shuktaara
- Megher koley koley jaay rey choley
- Kon aalotey praaner prodip
- Hriday aamaar prakash holo
- Jodi prem diley naa praaney
- Aamaar praaner maanush aachhey praaney
- Jodi tor daak shuney keu naa aashey taubey ekla chaulo rey
- Shaarthok Janam Aamaar jonmechhi ei deshey and several others.
She has also written many Bengali books on Tagore Songs. Her poems for children are also quite popular. Added to this, this eminent figure worked hard for compiling an Encyclopedia on Rabindranath's songs for all the students and researchers.
Burdwan University and Rabindra Bharati University offered this lady the D.Litt. Degree. In 1984, Suchitra Mitra retired from Rabindra Bharati University as the Head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet.
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