Gauriprasanna Majumdar (5 December 1925 – 20 August 1986)^[1] was an Indian lyricist and writer known for his work in Indian cinema and Bangladeshi cinema.^[2][3] He is most commonly associated with the black and white era of Bengali cinema, when he penned several enduring classics for films. Often considered as one of the greatest and most prominent lyricists of the golden era of Bengali cinema, he is a recipient of numerous accolades. He won the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards for best lyricist for Swaralipi (1962), Palatak (1964), Anthony Firingee (1968), Bon Palashir Padabali (1974), Sanyasi Raja (1976) and Anurager Chhoan (1987, posthumously). He also won National Film Awards of Bangladesh for Sesh Porjonto (1969).

Career

Majumdar was a contemporary of Nachiketa Ghosh, Robin Chattopadhyay, Hemanta Mukherjee, Uttam Kumar and Kishore Kumar. He had also worked extensively with R D Burman, Kishore Kumar, Sandhya Mukherjee and Manna De. He lyrics was known for expressing emotions, sculpt feelings and his command over words.

His works include Mago Vabna Keno, Akash Keno Daake, Aj Ei Dinta Moner Khatay, Amar Swapno Tumi, Asha Chilo Bhalobasha Chilo, Aj Dujonar Duti Poth, Coffee Houser Shei Adda, Eito Hethay Kunjo Chhayay, Ek Polokey Ektu Dekha, Ei Balukabelay, Ei Raat Tomar Amar, Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoy, Ki Ashay Bandhi Khelaghor, Neer Choto Khoti Nei, Mangal Deep Jwele, Mou Bone Jomechey, O Nodi Re, and Shing Nei Tobu Naam Tar Shingho.^[4][5]

Discography

Legacy

On 12 February 2011, marking the 25th anniversary of his death, a musical evening was organized at Nazrul Mancha, Kolkata to pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to Bengali Cinema.^[6] Lopamudra, Shaan, Bappi Lahiri, Srikanta Acharya and Arati Mukherjee among others were in attendance. Sovan Chatterjee, the mayor of Kolkata at that time, along with Satabdi Roy and Debasish Kumar set the ball rolling for the evening. In October 2012 he was awarded the prestigious Bangladesh Mukti Yoddha Sammanana Trophy (posthumously) by Sheikh Hasina, the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh for his famous composition "Shono Ekti Mujiburer Theke" and "Mago Vabna Keno" which became the anthem for Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971.^[7]