Guwahati: Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee, a revered figure in Assam’s cultural landscape, who carried his legacy enriching regional art and inspired generation of performers, passed away on Friday at the age of 91 due to old age, at a private hospital in Dispur.
Born in 1933, Bhattacharjee was the son of advocate Kali Prassanna Bhattacharjee and Kamala Devi. His engagement with the arts began at the tender age of six and continued throughout his life. After completing his bachelor’s degree in history from Cotton College in 1954, he enrolled at Gauhati University, where he became actively involved in numerous university theatre productions. He was also a member of the Indian Progressive Theatre Association (IPTA), which showcased modern stories through its performances.
Bhattacharjee moved to Leeds in the United Kingdom to pursue a degree in business management but was inspired by his father’s advice to follow his passion for theatre and acting. During his stay abroad, he worked in the Bengali section of the British Broadcasting Corporation (Asia). He then moved to Germany for training in television production. Upon returning to India in the 1960s, he started working at All India Radio (AIR) as a producer-in-charge of drama.
Utpal Dutta, a notable film critic while speaking to TOI said, “He was always a visionary and a man of remarkable discipline. Upon returning from the UK, his work broke conventional stereotypes in theatre, bringing thoughtful and unique ideas to the stage. Even during his time at All India Radio (AIR), he placed great emphasis on diction, believing that even a simple word, if crafted carefully, could become a form of art.”
Dutta also highlighted that Bhattacharjee was a beacon of hope and encouragement to young, budding actors, and his enthusiasm was infectious, inspiring those around him to pursue their craft with dedication and passion. Some of Bhattacharjee’s notable works in cinemas, where he worked as an actor were “Daak Ghar”, “Shakuntala”, “Latighati”, “Prabhati Pakhir Gaan”, “Maaj Rati Keteki”. Meanwhile in serials were Deuta, Jeevanar Batat, Papu Niku Sangbad, and Tejal Ghora.