Dhirendra Nath Ganguly (26 March 1893 – 18 November 1978), better known as Dhiren Ganguly or D.G, was a Dadasaheb Phalke Award-winning and Padma Bhushan recipient film entrepreneur/actor/director of Bengali Cinema. He had set up a number of film production companies: Indo British Film company, British Dominion Films, Lotus Film Company. Later, he directed films for New Theatres. He produced many movies in the comedy genre. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city.
Dhirendra Nath Ganguly | |
|---|---|
 Dhirendra Nath Ganguly in the movie Bilat Ferat (1921) | |
| Born | 26 March 1893 |
| Died | 18 November 1978 (aged 85) |
| Other names | Dhiren Ganguly or D.G |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Producer, Director |
| Years active | 1919 - 1978 |
| Spouses | Premika Devi, Uma Devi |
Early life edit
Ganguly studied in the Visva Bharati University in Shantiniketan. He became a headmaster of State Art School in Hyderabad. He released a book of photographs of his make-up techniques called Bhavki Abhibyakti in 1915. He also taught this art to C.I.D. officers in both British India and independent India. His family hailed from Barisal. [1]
Career edit
Indo British Film Company edit
Ganguly's photography book brought him in contact of J. F. Madan, who agreed to invest in his films.[1] Ganguly and Madan Theatres' manager Nitish Lahiri formed the Indo British Film Co, the first film production company owned by Bengalis, in 1918.[2] Bilat Ferat (1921) (The England Returned), a silent comedy film directed by Nitish Lahiri, was the first production from this company.[1] They released another two movies in 1922: Yashoda Nandan and Sadhu Aur Shaitan.[2]
Lotus Film Company edit
Ganguly founded Lotus Film Company in Hyderabad and also established a film studio and two cinema houses with the help of Nizam. In 1924, he was a distributor of Razia Begum, a film made in Bombay. This film portrayed a Muslim princess who fell in love of a Hindu. This enraged Nizam and he ordered Ganguly to leave Hyderabad.[1]
British Dominion Films edit
Ganguly returned to Calcuta and eventually formed another film production company British Dominion Films. Actor Pramathesh Barua invested in this venture and also acted in a film produced by this company. However, with the arrival talkies and new sound technologies, this film company failed.[1]
Talkies era edit
Ganguly joined Barua Pictures company of Pramathesh Barua. But, soon both of them joined B. N. Sircar's New Theatres.
Recognition edit
- D.G. received Padma Bhushan in 1974.[3]
- He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1975.
Filmography edit
Director edit
- Cartoon (1949)
- Shesh Nibedan (1948)
- Srinkhal (1947)
- Daabi (1943)
- Ahuti (1941)
- Karmakhali (1940)
- Path-Bhule (1940)
- Abhisarika (1938)
- Achin Priya (1938)
- Hal Bangla (1938)
- Country Girl (1936) (Hindi: Dehati Ladki)
- Dwipantar (1936)
- Bidrohi (1935)
- Excuse Me, Sir (1934)
- Halkatha (1934)
- Mastuto Bhai (1934)
- Night Bird (1934)
- Charitraheen (1931)
- Takay Ki Na Hay (1931) (English title: Money Makes What Not)
- Alik Babu (1930) (English title: Master Liar)
- Flames of Flesh (1930) (Bengali title: Kamonar Agun)
- Bimata (1923) (Hindi title: Bijoy Basant, English title: Stepmother)
- Chintamani (1923)
- The Marriage Tonic (1923)
- Sati Simantini (1923)
- Vijay and Basanta (1923)
- Yayati (1923)
- Yashoda Nandan (1922) (Hindi title: Shri Radha Krishna)
- Hara Gouri (1922)
- Indrajeet (1922)
- Lady Teacher (1922)
Actor edit
- Shesh Nibedan (1948)
- Bondita (1945)
- Hal Bangla (1938)
- Excuse Me, Sir (1934)
- Mastuto Bhai (1934)
- Maraner Pare (1931) (English title: After the Death)
- Takay Ki Na Hay (1931) (English title: Money Makes What Not)
- Panchasar (1930) (English title: Blind God / Five Arrows)
- Alik Babu (1930) (English title: Master Liar)
- Shankaracharya (1927) (English title: Renaissance of Hinduism)
- Yashoda Nandan (1922) (Hindi title: Shri Radha Krishna)
- Lady Teacher (1922)
- Sadhu Aur Shaitan (1922)
- Bilet Pherat (1921) (English title: The England Returned)
Writer edit
- Shesh Nibedan (1948) (screenplay)
- Bilet Pherat (1921) (English title: The England Returned) (writer)
Producer edit
- Flames of Flesh (1930) (Bengali title: Kamonar Agun)
- Bilet Pherat (1921) (English title: The England Returned)
References edit
- ^ a b c d e pp 950-951, Google books preview from 'Arts of Transitional India Twentieth Century', by Vinayak Purohit, ISBN 0-86132-138-3
- ^ a b "History of Bengali Cinema from BFJA Awards website". Archived from the original on 24 September 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
External links edit
- Dhirendranath Ganguly at IMDb
- Bangla Films Online Archived 13 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine