Mohammed Israil
Mohammed Israil (unknown–19th September, 1962) was an Indian Bengali Actor, Communist, Trade-unionist, Freedom-fighter. Mainly known for his roles in films like Devi, Ganga, Komol Gandhar, Sagar Sangamoy, he mainly worked in art-house films and patriotic, Swadeshi dramas.
Early Life
At first he used to work at the All-India Radio services at Kolkata and was an active Trade-unionist there, organising the film, radio, gramophone company workers under the banner of CPI(M) affiliated CITU. They organised regular strikes, picketing and demonstrations against their British overlords.
After independence, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became chairman of AIR, he was transferred to Delhi by his political opponents from INC, failing to do which, he was suspended from his job (and later resigned).
Career
After being out of his job and having a family of a wife and two children to feed, he joined the Indian People's Theatre Association as a full-time actor. There he met fellow dramatists like Sambhu Mitra, his wife Tripti Mitra, Tulsi Lahiri, Sudhi Pradhan who were attempting to bring radical changes in Indian theatre.
After some time, he left IPTA along with other prominent artists (mentioned before) to form Bohurupi, an offshoot of the IPTA. There he performed in dramas like - "Chera taar", "Pothik".
Filmography
From there, he caught the eye of various filmmakers in Tollywood and made his debut with the film Pathik. He went on to do more films, namely Sonar Kathi, Nobojonmo, Swaralipi, Ritwik Ghatak’s Komol Gandhar and Bari theke paliye.
He received critical acclaim for his role in Ganga, which caught Satyajit Ray’s eye, landing him the role as Nibaran, the beggar in his next film Devi. Devi went on to be a highly acclaimed and cult classic film in the Bengali genre and he was highly praised and remembered for his role.
His other works include “Uttam bonam Uttam Kumar”, “Kushali”.
Death
Even after receiving much respect in the film world, his economic condition didn’t improve in the real world. Already being a chronic smoker and a sufferer of hypertensive disorders, he first got admitted to Nilratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, then in Burdwan Medical College & Hospital due to his ailments. After showing no positive signs to the treatment, he faced his untimely death on 19th September, 1962 at his own residence in a village named Bhota, under Ausgram Police Station.
He is presently survived by his two sons (one doctor, one businessman), currently residing in Bardhaman, West Bengal.
References
External links
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