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{{Short description|Indian actress and singer (1934–2019)}}
{{cleanup-date|May 2006}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ruma Guha Thakurta
| image = Ruma Guha.png
| image_size = 200px
| caption =
| birth_name = Ruma Ghosh
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1934|11|3}}
| birth_place = [[Calcutta]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2019|06|03|1934|11|3}}
| death_place = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kishore Kumar]]|1950
|1958|end=divorce}}<br/>{{marriage|Arup Guha Thakurta|1960||end=died 2004}}
| children = 3, including [[Amit Kumar]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|singer}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| embed = yes
| genre = [[Playback singing|Film music]]
| instrument = Vocalist
| background = solo_singer
| years_active = 1944–2019
}}
}}


'''Ruma Guha Thakurta''' (3 November 1934 – 3 June 2019) was an Indian actress and singer primarily associated with [[Bengali language|Bengali]] language films.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2016 |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/read-about-4-wives-of-kishore-kumar-27263.html |title=Read about 4 wives of Kishore Kumar |work=India TV News |access-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710194601/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/read-about-4-wives-of-kishore-kumar-27263.html |archive-date=10 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/entertainment/4-weddings-women-kishore-kumars-life/ |title=4 Weddings And More: The Women In Kishore Kumar's Life |website=mansworldindia.com |access-date=30 May 2018 |date=3 August 2017}}</ref> She founded [[Calcutta Youth Choir]] in 1958.
[[Image:Ruma_guhathakurta.jpg|thumb|right|Ruma Guha Thakurta]]
'''Ruma Guha Thakurta''' ([[Bengali]]: রুমা গুহঠাকুরতা) is a [[Bengali people|Bengali]] actress and singer. She was born in [[1934]] as Ruma Ghosh. She hails from a distinguished Brahmo Bengali family. Her father was Satyen Ghosh (known as Montey Ghosh), her mother Sati Devi, a talented singer. Sati Devi's younger sister Bijoya is married to legendary film director [[Satyajit Ray]]. Ruma had her formal education in many places including Santineketan for a brief period. She was also one of the earliest child students of Uday Shankar Cultural Centre in Almora in its formative years where her mother had been a music teacher.[[Kishore Kumar]] married Ruma Ghosh in May 1951 in Bombay, and their son Amit Kumar was born the following year. The couple divorced in 1958. she settled in Calcutta and married Arup Guha Thakurta and had two children by him Ayan and Sromana. In the year 1958 she set up Calcutta Youth Choir with [[Salil Chowdhury]] and [[Satyajit Roy]]. Ruma Guhathakurta is a versatile genius a singer, an actress, a dancer, a choreographer, and many other characteristics in a single personality.


== [[Calcutta Youth Choir]] ==
== Early life ==
Ruma Guha Thakurta was born as Ruma Ghosh on 3 November 1934 to Satyen Ghosh (Monty Ghosh) and singer Sati Devi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Actress Ruma Guha Thakurta, Kishore Kumar's first wife, dies at 84 in Kolkata |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/actress-ruma-guha-thakurta-kishore-kumar-s-first-wife-dies-at-84-in-kolkata-1541408-2019-06-03 |access-date=27 November 2019 |work=India Today |date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329171450/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/actress-ruma-guha-thakurta-kishore-kumar-s-first-wife-dies-at-84-in-kolkata-1541408-2019-06-03 |archive-date=29 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="Wire_Jul2019">{{cite news |last1=Lohani |first1=Vinayak |title=Remembering Ruma Guha Thakurta: The First Lady of Indian Choir Music |url=https://thewire.in/the-arts/ruma-guha-thakurta-calcutta-youth-choir-singing |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=The Wire |date=11 July 2019}}</ref> Her family was culturally inclined to [[Brahmo Samaj]], a societal component of [[Brahmoism]]. Her mother Sati was eldest sister of [[Bijoya Ray]], the wife of [[Satyajit Ray]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kishore Kumar's first wife Ruma Guha Thakurta passes away in Kolkata at 84 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/kishore-kumar%E2%80%99s-first-wife-ruma-guha-thakurta-passes-away-in-kolkata-at-84-782497 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=Tribune |date=3 June 2019}}</ref>
Singer actress Ruma Guha Thakurata's '''Calcutta Youth Choir''' has always been known for their traditional folk song, mass song and folk dance. Several years ago, the choir had coined the song, 'Aaj joto juddhabaaj'. The lyrics were by Shibdas Bandopadhyay and the music for the song was composed by V. Balsara. HMV had come out with
the soundtrack a couple of years ago. Another famous song by Ruma Guhathakurta's Calcutta Youth Choir is 'Bharatvarsh Suraj Ka Ek Naam' was regularly screened in DD Channel few years before was originally written in Bengali by Shibdas Bandopadhyay and set to tune by Y.S. Moolky (Bharatbarsho Surjer Ek Naam.....). The songs 'Bistirno Duparee...' and 'Tomar Amar Thikana....Padma Meghna Jamuna' by Calcutta Youth Choir under the direction of Ruma Guhathakurta ......No other singers have the range that Ruma Guhathakurta has in her voice for these two songs.... HMV brought out a record on the
Choir where these songs were included.To make a mark of a choir worldwide is a mammoth task. But Ruma Guha Thakurta - known popularly as Rumadi - has ruling the music world for over six decades with the talent of choir conduction. She has captured the imagination of generations of music lovers and if one likes to know the choir culture of India the first and foremost thought comes in mind is Ruma Guhathakurts's Calcutta Youth Choir.
Traditional folk song and dance from the various parts of the world is also a gift of the choir to the Indian Culture. In the year, July, 1974 20-member Folk Song and Dance troupe of Calcutta Youth Choir led by Smt. Ruma Guha Thakurta, participated in the Festival and won the first prize, in the Copenhagen Youth Festival. The Choir also got opportunity to participate in the 25th Anniversary of Independence Day of India in Delhi. Opening song by Calcutta Youth Choir to welcome Nelson Mandela in India in 1990 and to honour Amarta Sen for Nobel in the year 1998 are the Laurel. More than 5000 shows are performed by the choir led by Ruma Guhathakurta. But the performance of choir started becoming quite disappointing since 2003 due to illness of Rumadi.


Guha Thakurta was a trained vocalist and a dancer. She started training in music at Swarabitan in [[Kolkata]], which had been established by her parents. In later years, she studied under Abdul Rehman Khan of [[Patiala gharana]], the [[Ustad]] of [[Nirmala Devi|Nirmla Devi]] and [[Lakshmi Shankar]] in [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. She also trained in dance at "[[Uday Shankar]] India Cultural Centre" at Almora.<ref name="Wire_Jul2019"/>
== Singing career ==
As a solo singer Ruma Guha Thakurta had also recorded few Rabindra sangeet like ''Maya Bono Biharini Harini'' with Kishore Kumar in Lookochuri, ''Sukher Majhe tomai dekhechi'' in Jodi Jantem and A few nos of Rabindra Sangeet in 'Bakshaw Badal' and others. HMV recorded ''Kotha Baire Dure'', ''Khone Khone Mone Mone'' and few others. In Bangla Adunik (modern) songs Guhathakurta recorded a no of songs like ''Mon Je amar kemon kemon...' in Polatak, 'Ei To Hethai Kunja...' with Kishore Kumar in Lookochuri, 'Tomar Geeti'' with Hemant Kumar in Lookichuri, ''Jodi Akash Hote'' in Ashi te Ashio na (only used in film). In the year 1969 HMV recorded ''Ek Khana Megh Bheshe elo akase'' and ''Bathan Bathan'' by her was super hit. Few duet songs like ''Sajea Dopati'' with Bhupen Hazarika are too good. In the year 1993 after Satyajit Ray died she recorded ''Puroskare Sommane'' as a tribute to him. Guha Thakurta is having a strong voice range so the songs which the listeners are userd to listen in her voice will never like in others voice. Once hearing those songs specially ''Bistirno Duparee'', ''Tomar Amar Thikana'', and many more. Her tribute to Mother Teresa after Mother passed away was really sung by her from the core point of her heart. She takes music classes where it is seen that both her students and herself is really devoted in music. Most of the songs sung by her is always related for awakening the society.


She married [[Kishore Kumar]] in 1951 and had a son [[Amit Kumar]] by this marriage. The couple divorced in 1958 and she married Arup Guha Thakurta in 1960.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://m.mid-day.com/articles/bappi-lahiri-catches-up-with-kishore-kumars-wives-ruma-guha-thakurta-and-leena-chandavarkar/19113174 |title=Bappi Lahiri catches up with Kishore Kumar s wives Ruma Guha Thakurta and Leena Chandavarkar |date=25 February 2018 |work=mid-day |access-date=30 May 2018}}</ref> The couple had two children, Ayan and Sromona. Sromona is also a singer.
== Acting career ==

Her career started in [[Bollywood]] as a child artist. Ruma Guha Thakurta acted more than 100 movies in Bengali. Most of her hindi movies were released in Fifties. She joined Bollywood as a child artist at a remuneration of Rs 500/- at the age of thirteen in Phritvi Theatres. Acted in no of movies in hindi like Rajani, Samar, Afsar. In the year 1989 Ganashatru was nominated for oscar where she was in the main lead female character. She kept remarable performance as a successful lead actress in 'Khaneker Athithi', 'Benarasi', 'Ashi te Asio Na', 'Personal Asst.', 'Ganga', 'Abhijan', 'Nirjan Soikote', 'Ponchostor', 'Arogya Niketon' and many more and as a supporting actress in 'Gar Nasimpur', 'Bhaghini', 'Jodi Jantem', 'Hanghsa Mithun', 'Chakranto', 'Malabadal', 'Chowdury Paribar'. She won the award for best actress for her performance in "Nirjan Saikate". Her acting as a mother in 'Amar Songi', 'Anuraher Chhoya', 'Trayee', 'Dadar Kirti','Arogya Niketon', 'Papi' are really outstanding. She also played some notable characters in Mega TV Sereals also like 'Prabaho', 'Ghum Nei', 'Pritibimbo',etc. In the year 2006 she also acted in Mira Nayar's NAMESAKE.
== Career ==
Guha Thakurta made her acting debut in Amiya Chakravarty's ''[[Jwar Bhata (1944 film)|Jwar Bhata]]'' (1944)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/jwar-bhata-1078 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603062644/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/jwar-bhata-1078 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 June 2019 |title=Jwar Bhata (1944) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos |website=Cinestaan |access-date=3 June 2019}}</ref> at age ten. This was the debut film of [[Dilip Kumar]]. Her next film as Ruma Ghosh was [[Nitin Bose]], whose first cousin was her aunt's father-in-law,'s ''Mashaal'' (1950) in [[Hindi]], which had a [[Bengali language|Bengali]] version called ''Samar'', adapted from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel ''Rajani''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/manaivi-ready-17640 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215064811/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/manaivi-ready-17640 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 February 2020 |title=Manaivi Ready (1987) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos |website=Cinestaan |access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref> She portrayed a blind girl, Sarla.

After her divorce, Ruma moved to Calcutta to act in [[Rajen Tarafdar]]’s ''Ganga'' based on [[Samaresh Basu|Samaresh Bose]]’s eponymous cult novel. She acted as one of two leading ladies, with [[Sandhya Roy]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2019/jun/5/21035/sandhya-roy-debashree-roy-grateful-for-their-mentoring-by-co-artiste-ruma-guha-thakurta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007071423/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2019/jun/5/21035/sandhya-roy-debashree-roy-grateful-for-their-mentoring-by-co-artiste-ruma-guha-thakurta |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 October 2019 |title=Sandhya Roy, Debashree Roy grateful for their mentoring by co-artiste Ruma Guha Thakurta |last=Sarkar |first=Roushni |website=cinestaan.com |access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref> ''Ganga'' won the National award for Best Feature Film that year and Ruma's portrayal of Himi received critical acclamation. In the same year, she acted in ''Personal Assistant'' opposite to [[Bhanu Bandopadhyay|Bhanu Bandopadhayay]] and in ''Khaniker Atithi'' by Tapan Sinha.

Her film career revived in 1962 with ''Benarasi,'' produced by her and directed by her husband. It was the tale of a courtesan who tries to lead a life of dignity and respect, when her childhood sweetheart, Ratan, takes her away from her terrible environment. It flopped, but won the BFJA Award for Best Feature Film the following year.

==Filmography==

=== As an actress ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Director !! Language !! Notes
|-
| 1944 ||''[[Jwar Bhata (1944 film)|Jwar Bhata]]'' || || Amiya Chakrvarty || Hindi ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1950 || ''Mashaal'' || Sarala Das || [[Nitin Bose]] || Hindi<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/mashal-14254 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515192437/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/mashal-14254 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 May 2018 |title=Mashal (1950) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos {{!}} Cinestaan |website=Cinestaan |access-date=30 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://osianama.com/film-titles/mashal-1950 |title=Mashal |website=osianama.com |access-date=30 May 2018}}</ref> ||
|-
| ''[[Afsar (1950 film)|Afsar]]'' || || [[Chetan Anand (director)|Chetan Anand]] || Hindi ||
|-
| 1952 || ''Rag Rang'' || Digvijay || Ruma Devi || Hindi ||
|-
|rowspan=3| 1959 || ''Personal Assistant'' || Rumali Sen || || Chitrakar Bengali || (as Ruma Devi)
|-
| ''Khaniker Atithi'' || Mita || [[Tapan Sinha]] || Bengali || (as Ruma Ganguly)
|-
| ''[[Ganga (1959 film)|Ganga]]'' || [[Rajen Tarafdar]] || Himi || Bengali ||
|-
| 1960 || ''Benarasi'' || Sona || [[Arup Guhathakurta]] || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=3| 1962 || ''Banarasi'' || || || ||
|-
| ''[[Abhijan (1962 film)|Abhijan]]'' || Neeli || [[Satyajit Ray]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Benarasi'' || || || ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1963 || ''Polatak'' || Moyna || [[Tarun Majumder]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Nirjan Saikate]]'' || Chhoto Bou || [[Tapan Sinha]] || Bengali ||
|-
| rowspan=4| 1964 || ''Kinu Gowalar Gali'' || Theater Actress || [[O. C Ganguly]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Subha O Debatar Gras'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Sindoore Megh'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Prabhater Rang'' || || Ajoy Kar || Bengali ||
|-
| 1966 || ''Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar'' || || [[Ajit Lahiri]] || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=3| 1967 || ''[[Antony Firingee (film)|Antony Firingee]]'' || Jogweshwari || [[Sunil Bannerjee]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Balika Badhu (1967 film)|Balika Badhu]]'' || || [[Tarun Majumdar]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Ashite Ashiona]]'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=4| 1968 || ''Hangsa Mithun'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Garh Nasimpur'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Panchashar'' || || [[Arup Guhathakurta]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Baghini]]'' || || [[Bijoy Bose]] || Bengali ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Arogya Niketan]]'' || Pradyot's mother || [[Bijoy Bose]] || Bengali ||
|-
| 1973 || ''Nishi Kanya'' || || || ||
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Jadi Jantem]]'' || Ranu Basu || [[Yatrik]] || Bengali ||
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Bairaag]]'' || Pushpa || [[Asit Sen (director)|Asit Sen]] || Hindi ||
|-
| 1979 || ''Dour'' || || || ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1980 || ''[[Dadar Kirti]]'' || Saraswati, Beena's Mother || [[Tarun Majumdar]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Bandhan'' || || || ||
|-
|rowspan=3| 1981 || ''[[36 Chowringhee Lane]]'' || Nandita's Mother || || English ||
|-
| ''[[Swami Stree]]'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Maa Bipat Tarini Chandi'' || || || ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1982 || ''[[Troyee]]'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Amrita Kumbher Sandhane]]'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| 1983 || ''Samarpita'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1984 || ''Paar'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Didi'' || || || ||
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Bhalobasa Bhalobasa (1985 film)|Bhalobasa Bhalobasa]]'' || Keya's Mother || || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1986 || ''Anurager Chhonya'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Amar Sangi]]'' || Jhilik's Mother || [[Sujit Guha]] || Bengali ||
|-
| rowspan=2|1987 || ''Gayok'' || || [[Shantanu Bhowmick]] || ||
|-
| ''Ekanto Apon'' || || || ||
|-
|rowspan=3| 1988 || ''Agun'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Tumi Koto Sundar'' || || || ||
|-
| ''[[Aagoon (film)|Aagoon]]'' || || [[Victor Banerjee]] || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=3| 1989 || ''[[Ganashatru]]'' || Maya Gupta || [[Satyajit Ray]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Asha O Bhalobasha]]'' || Roopa's Mother || [[Sujit Guha]] || Bengali ||
|-
| ''[[Aakrosh (1989 film)|Aakrosh]]'' || Samrat's Foster Mother || [[Sujit Guha]] || Bengali ||
|-
|rowspan=4| 1990 || ''Anuraag'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Garmil'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Papi'' || || || ||
|-
| ''Abhishkar'' || || || ||
|-
|rowspan=2| 1991 || ''[[Path O Prasad]]'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| ''Bidhilipi'' || || || ||
|-
| 1992 || ''[[Indrajit]]'' || || [[Anjan Choudhury]] || Bengali ||
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Wheel Chair]]'' || Sushmita's Mother || [[Tapan Sinha]] || ||
|-
| 1995 || ''[[Sangharsha]]'' || || [[Haranath Chakraborty]] || Bengali ||
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Himghar]]'' || || || Bengali ||
|-
| 1998 || ''Choudhury Paribar'' || || || ||
|-
| 2000 || ''[[Malabadal]]'' || || Raj Mukherjee || Bengali ||
|-
| 2006 || ''[[The Namesake (film)|The Namesake]]'' || Ashoke's Mother || || English || (final film role)
|}

=== As a playback singer===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title
|-
| 1958 || ''[[Lukochuri]]''
|-
|rowspan=2| 1963 || ''[[Barnali (film)|Barnali]]''
|-
| ''[[Polatak]]''
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Tin Konya]]''
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar]]''
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Antony Firingee (film)|Antony Firingee]]''
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Baghini]]''
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Bakso Badal]]''
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Jodi Jantem]]''
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Mera Dharam Meri Maa]]''
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Amrita Kumbher Sandhane]]''
|}

== Awards ==
* [[BFJA Awards]] (1964) for Best Actress in supporting role – [[Palatak]]
* [[IFFI Best Actor Award (Female)]] (1965) for "[[Nirjan Saikate]]" at [[3rd International Film Festival of India|3rd IFFI]]<ref>{{cite web |title=IFFI: A TRIP DOWN THE MEMORY LANE - |url=https://pickle.co.in/markets/iffi-a-trip-down-the-memory-lane/ |website=Pickle Media |date=23 November 2019 |access-date=15 July 2023}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of notable Calcuttans]]
*[[List of notable Calcuttans]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0346614}}
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0346614/ IMDB listing]
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|ruma-guha-thakurta}}


{{IFFI Award for Best Actress|state=collapsed}}
{{india-actor-stub}}
{{Authority control}}
{{India-singer-stub}}


[[Category:Bengali singers|Thakurta, Ruma Guha]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thakurta, Ruma Guha}}
[[Category:Indian film actors|Thakurta, Ruma Guha]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:Ganguly family (films)]]
[[Category:Bengali actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Bengali cinema]]
[[Category:Bengali singers]]
[[Category:Brahmos]]
[[Category:People associated with Santiniketan]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kolkata]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:Women musicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian women playback singers]]
[[Category:Bengali playback singers]]
[[Category:Singers from Kolkata]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:1934 births]]

Latest revision as of 18:43, 23 March 2024

Ruma Guha Thakurta
Born
Ruma Ghosh

(1934-11-03)3 November 1934
Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died3 June 2019(2019-06-03) (aged 84)
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1950; div. 1958)​

Arup Guha Thakurta
​
​
(m. 1960, died 2004)​
Children3, including Amit Kumar
Musical career
GenresFilm music
Instrument(s)Vocalist
Years active1944–2019

Ruma Guha Thakurta (3 November 1934 – 3 June 2019) was an Indian actress and singer primarily associated with Bengali language films.[1][2] She founded Calcutta Youth Choir in 1958.

Early life[edit]

Ruma Guha Thakurta was born as Ruma Ghosh on 3 November 1934 to Satyen Ghosh (Monty Ghosh) and singer Sati Devi.[3][4] Her family was culturally inclined to Brahmo Samaj, a societal component of Brahmoism. Her mother Sati was eldest sister of Bijoya Ray, the wife of Satyajit Ray.[5]

Guha Thakurta was a trained vocalist and a dancer. She started training in music at Swarabitan in Kolkata, which had been established by her parents. In later years, she studied under Abdul Rehman Khan of Patiala gharana, the Ustad of Nirmla Devi and Lakshmi Shankar in Bombay. She also trained in dance at "Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre" at Almora.[4]

She married Kishore Kumar in 1951 and had a son Amit Kumar by this marriage. The couple divorced in 1958 and she married Arup Guha Thakurta in 1960.[6] The couple had two children, Ayan and Sromona. Sromona is also a singer.

Career[edit]

Guha Thakurta made her acting debut in Amiya Chakravarty's Jwar Bhata (1944)[7] at age ten. This was the debut film of Dilip Kumar. Her next film as Ruma Ghosh was Nitin Bose, whose first cousin was her aunt's father-in-law,'s Mashaal (1950) in Hindi, which had a Bengali version called Samar, adapted from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Rajani.[8] She portrayed a blind girl, Sarla.

After her divorce, Ruma moved to Calcutta to act in Rajen Tarafdar’s Ganga based on Samaresh Bose’s eponymous cult novel. She acted as one of two leading ladies, with Sandhya Roy.[9] Ganga won the National award for Best Feature Film that year and Ruma's portrayal of Himi received critical acclamation. In the same year, she acted in Personal Assistant opposite to Bhanu Bandopadhayay and in Khaniker Atithi by Tapan Sinha.

Her film career revived in 1962 with Benarasi, produced by her and directed by her husband. It was the tale of a courtesan who tries to lead a life of dignity and respect, when her childhood sweetheart, Ratan, takes her away from her terrible environment. It flopped, but won the BFJA Award for Best Feature Film the following year.

Filmography[edit]

As an actress[edit]

Year Title Role Director Language Notes
1944 Jwar Bhata Amiya Chakrvarty Hindi
1950 Mashaal Sarala Das Nitin Bose Hindi[10][11]
Afsar Chetan Anand Hindi
1952 Rag Rang Digvijay Ruma Devi Hindi
1959 Personal Assistant Rumali Sen Chitrakar Bengali (as Ruma Devi)
Khaniker Atithi Mita Tapan Sinha Bengali (as Ruma Ganguly)
Ganga Rajen Tarafdar Himi Bengali
1960 Benarasi Sona Arup Guhathakurta Bengali
1962 Banarasi
Abhijan Neeli Satyajit Ray Bengali
Benarasi
1963 Polatak Moyna Tarun Majumder Bengali
Nirjan Saikate Chhoto Bou Tapan Sinha Bengali
1964 Kinu Gowalar Gali Theater Actress O. C Ganguly Bengali
Subha O Debatar Gras
Sindoore Megh
Prabhater Rang Ajoy Kar Bengali
1966 Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar Ajit Lahiri Bengali
1967 Antony Firingee Jogweshwari Sunil Bannerjee Bengali
Balika Badhu Tarun Majumdar Bengali
Ashite Ashiona Bengali
1968 Hangsa Mithun Bengali
Garh Nasimpur Bengali
Panchashar Arup Guhathakurta Bengali
Baghini Bijoy Bose Bengali
1969 Arogya Niketan Pradyot's mother Bijoy Bose Bengali
1973 Nishi Kanya
1974 Jadi Jantem Ranu Basu Yatrik Bengali
1976 Bairaag Pushpa Asit Sen Hindi
1979 Dour
1980 Dadar Kirti Saraswati, Beena's Mother Tarun Majumdar Bengali
Bandhan
1981 36 Chowringhee Lane Nandita's Mother English
Swami Stree Bengali
Maa Bipat Tarini Chandi
1982 Troyee Bengali
Amrita Kumbher Sandhane Bengali
1983 Samarpita Bengali
1984 Paar
Didi
1985 Bhalobasa Bhalobasa Keya's Mother Bengali
1986 Anurager Chhonya Bengali
Amar Sangi Jhilik's Mother Sujit Guha Bengali
1987 Gayok Shantanu Bhowmick
Ekanto Apon
1988 Agun
Tumi Koto Sundar
Aagoon Victor Banerjee Bengali
1989 Ganashatru Maya Gupta Satyajit Ray Bengali
Asha O Bhalobasha Roopa's Mother Sujit Guha Bengali
Aakrosh Samrat's Foster Mother Sujit Guha Bengali
1990 Anuraag
Garmil
Papi
Abhishkar
1991 Path O Prasad Bengali
Bidhilipi
1992 Indrajit Anjan Choudhury Bengali
1994 Wheel Chair Sushmita's Mother Tapan Sinha
1995 Sangharsha Haranath Chakraborty Bengali
1996 Himghar Bengali
1998 Choudhury Paribar
2000 Malabadal Raj Mukherjee Bengali
2006 The Namesake Ashoke's Mother English (final film role)

As a playback singer[edit]

Year Title
1958 Lukochuri
1963 Barnali
Polatak
1961 Tin Konya
1966 Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar
1967 Antony Firingee
1968 Baghini
1970 Bakso Badal
1974 Jodi Jantem
1976 Mera Dharam Meri Maa
1982 Amrita Kumbher Sandhane

Awards[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Read about 4 wives of Kishore Kumar". India TV News. March 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  2. ^ "4 Weddings And More: The Women In Kishore Kumar's Life". mansworldindia.com. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Actress Ruma Guha Thakurta, Kishore Kumar's first wife, dies at 84 in Kolkata". India Today. 3 June 2019. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  4. ^ a b Lohani, Vinayak (11 July 2019). "Remembering Ruma Guha Thakurta: The First Lady of Indian Choir Music". The Wire. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Kishore Kumar's first wife Ruma Guha Thakurta passes away in Kolkata at 84". Tribune. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Bappi Lahiri catches up with Kishore Kumar s wives Ruma Guha Thakurta and Leena Chandavarkar". mid-day. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Jwar Bhata (1944) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Manaivi Ready (1987) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  9. ^ Sarkar, Roushni. "Sandhya Roy, Debashree Roy grateful for their mentoring by co-artiste Ruma Guha Thakurta". cinestaan.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  10. ^ "Mashal (1950) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos | Cinestaan". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Mashal". osianama.com. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  12. ^ "IFFI: A TRIP DOWN THE MEMORY LANE -". Pickle Media. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2023.

External links[edit]

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