Tapan Sinha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tapan Sinha
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Sinha on a 2013 stamp of India
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| Born | 2 October 1924 |
| Died | 15 January 2009 (aged 84) |
| Alma mater | University of Patna (B.Sc.) Rajabazar Science College (M.Sc.) |
| Years active | 1946–2001 |
| Spouse(s) | Arundhati Devi |
| Children | Anindya Sinha |
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Tapan Sinha (born October 2, 1924 – died January 15, 2009) was a very famous Indian film director. He was known for making movies in both Hindi and Bengali languages. He was part of a special group of four great filmmakers, along with Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen.
Tapan Sinha started his career in 1946 as a sound engineer in Kolkata. He later went to England to learn more about filmmaking. After returning to India, he directed many different types of films. These included social dramas, family stories, and even fantasy movies for children. Some of his well-known films are Kabuliwala (1957), Apanjan (1968), and the children's film Safed Haathi (1978).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tapan Sinha was born in Kolkata, West Bengal. He loved films from a young age. He studied physics at the University of Patna. Later, he earned his Master of Science degree from Rajabazar Science College at the University of Calcutta.
He married Indian actress Arundhati Devi. Their son, Anindya Sinha, is a well-known scientist.
Filmmaking Journey
Tapan Sinha was inspired to make films by the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He also loved the movie version of the book. In the 1950s, Sinha went to London to learn about filmmaking. He worked at Pinewood Studios as a Sound Engineer. This experience helped him learn how movies are made.
Sinha was influenced by many great directors like John Ford and Billy Wilder. But he also found great inspiration in the works of the famous Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore's stories and poems often gave him ideas for his films.
First Films and Early Success
Tapan Sinha's first film was Ankush. It was based on a story about an elephant. His next film, Uphaar, featured popular actors like Uttam Kumar.
One of his famous films, Kabuliwala, was based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore. It tells the heartwarming tale of a man from Kabul who sells dry fruits and loves children. The film won several awards, including the Silver Bear at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.
Stories for Everyone
Sinha made films about many different topics. Sabuj Dweeper Raja was a children's adventure film. It was filmed in the beautiful Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also directed Safed Haathi (White Elephant), another popular children's film.
His film Jhinder Bandi was an exciting adventure story. It was based on a famous novel called "The Prisoner of Zenda". This movie was special because it brought together two big stars, Uttam Kumar and Soumitra Chatterjee, for the first time.
Sinha also made films that talked about important social issues. Apanjan told the story of young people who were unemployed. Kalamati was one of the first films to show the lives of people in coal mining areas.
Unique Storytelling
Tapan Sinha was known for making his films "speak" through images and symbols. For example, in his film Jatugriho, he used a simple scene of teacups hanging on separate hooks to show a couple's broken relationship. This made the story more powerful without needing many words.
He also made comedies like Golpo Holo Satyi. This film was about a magical servant who brings peace to a messy family. It was so popular that it was remade in Hindi as Bawarchi.
Later Works and Television
In his later years, Sinha continued to make meaningful films. Ek Doctor Ki Maut was about a doctor who invents a vaccine but faces challenges from society. This film won him the Best Director Award.
He also made films for television, known as telefilms. Aadmi Aur Aurat was one such telefilm. He believed in the strength of individuals to overcome difficulties. He showed this in films like Aadmi Aur Aurat and Atanka.
His final film for children, Anokha Moti, was not completed.
Death
Tapan Sinha passed away on January 15, 2009.
Legacy
Tapan Sinha's films have inspired many other filmmakers in India. His work influenced directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Gulzar. In 2008, he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This is the highest honor in Indian cinema, recognizing his amazing contribution to films. A hospital in Kolkata, the Tapan Sinha Memorial Metro Hospital, was named after him.
Awards
Tapan Sinha received many awards for his films.
- Civilian award
- Padma Shri (1992)
- 1956: National Film Award for Best Feature Film – Kabuliwala
- 1956: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali – Kabuliwala
- 1957: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali – Louha-Kapat
- 1960: National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film – Kshudhita Pashan
- 1965: National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film – Atithi
- 1967: National Film Award for Best Feature Film- Hatey Bazarey
- 1968: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali- Apanjan
- 1971: Best Screenplay – Ekhonee
- 1977: National Film Award for Best Children's Film - Safed Haathi
- 1984: Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration - Aadmi Aur Aurat
- 1990: Best Direction – Ek Doctor Ki Maut
- 1990: National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film- Ek Doctor Ki Maut
- 1994: National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues- Wheelchair
- 2006: Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- International Awards
- Best Film-Cork festival, Ireland for Khudhita Pashan
- Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury at 7th Berlin International Film Festival for Kabuliwala
- Jury Award-Sanfransisco Film Festival for Hansuli Banker Upokotha
- Silver Peacock-2nd best film, International Film Festival of India & Audience Award, Sydney Film Festival for Nirjan Saikate
- International Certificate of Merit, Venice Film Festival for Atithi
- Diploma of Merit, London Film Festival for Aarohi
- Silver Leopard, Locarno Film Festival for Aarohi
- Award for Best Film-Royal Cup, Cambodia Asian Film festival for Hatey Bazarey
- Award for Best film in 13th Asia Pacific Film Festival for Hatey Bazarey
- Silver trophy (Cup of honour) in Phnom Penh Film Festival for Hatey Bazarey
- Afro-Asian Award, Moscow Film Festival for Sagina Mahato
- Golden Crown for Best Music, Seoul Asian Film Festival for Harmonium
- Special Award 'Child of our Time', Vii Film Festival, Milano for Safed Haathi
- UNICEF Award(Honorable Mention), Berlin Film festival for Aaj Ka Robin Hood
Filmography
- Ankush (1954)
- Upahaar (1955)
- Tonsil (1956)
- Kabuliwala (1957)
- Lauha Kapat (1958)
- Kala Mati (1958)
- Khaniker Atithi (1959)
- Khudhito Pashan (1960)
- Jhinder Bandi (1961)
- Hansuli Banker Upakatha (1962)
- Nirjan Saikate (1963)
- Jatugriha (1964)
- Arohi (1964)
- Atithi (1965)
- Galpo Holeo Satti (1966)
- Hatey Bazarey (1967)
- Apanjan (1968)
- Sagina Mahato (1970)
- Ekhoni (1971)
- Zindagi Zindagi (1972)
- Aandhar Periye (1973)
- Sagina (1974, Hindi)
- Raja (1975)
- Harmonium (1976)
- Ek Je Chhilo Desh (1977)
- Safed Haathi (1978)
- Sabuj Dwiper Raja (1979)
- Banchharamer Bagan (1980)
- Adalat o Ekti Meye (1982)
- Aadmi Aur Aurat (1982)
- Manush (1983)
- Didi (1984)
- Baidurya Rahasya (1985)
- Atanka (1986)
- Aaj Ka Robin Hood (1988)
- Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991)
- Antardhan (1992)
- Wheel Chair (1994)
- Daughters of This Century (1999)
- Hutumer Naksha
- Ajab Gayer Ajab Katha (1998)
- Anokha Moti (2000)
