Comrade Gurudas Pal was born in
the month of January, 1913 at Badartala area of Metuaburuz in the outskirts of
Kolkata. His father Late Monohar Pal used to work in Clive Jute Mill and was a
‘TARJA’ singer as well. Mother Kusumkumari Debi had a great influence on Gurudas
who was the third son among the four sons and three daughters of Monohar &
Kusumkumari. Mother Kusumkumari was a leader of the local Mahila Samity (Women’s
Organisation). Kusumkumari, before joining the Communist Party of India,
actively participated in the anti-British movement. During the period 1948-51
when Communist Party of India was banned, many secret meetings were held in
their house. Many leaders and workers of the party used to take shelter there,
too. Gurudas could read only upto the secondary level. He read in the local Kailash Free
Primary School and then a for few
years in the High School
of Metiaburuz. His
‘TARJA’ singer father and political actvitist mother both had great influence
on Gurudas. Gurudas used to run a small tea, biri, betel shop near Akra Fatak
at Metiaburuz for his living. He did not marry. Poverty was his life-long
companion.
Still when Salil Chowdhury invited him to Mumbai, he refused because
he did not want to leave his native place. As a performer Gurudas was unparallel
with his own unique style of singing. In the year 1951 in the film “BARJAATRI”
Gurudas sang the song ‘ Punti Maachh Daangaay Uthe Fut Kaate’ in his own voice.
He was a member of the Communist Party of India since 1939. In all probability
Gurudas was arrested twice when the Communist Party of India was banned. He was
among the 125 wounded when the Congress Police fired upon a procession
demanding unconditional release of the political prisoners in December, 1949.
Gurudas breathed his last in Beleghata I D Hospital on 13.12.1968 after a severe attack of Meningitis in his shop at Akra Fatak.
We shall now pay our tribute to this great Composer and Singer of the Indian Peoples` Theatre.
Ebaar Egiye Chalo Bhaai:
Din Jaay Go:
Baba Re O Baba Re:
Mathaa Thaandaa Kar:
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