Debabrata Biswas has been regarded as one of the most sought after vibrant and stupendous persons both as a performer and as a human being. He has been counted as one amongst the best-known performers of the songs of Rabindranath Tagore (Rabindra Sangeet). Debabrata Biswas was born in the year 1911. In that year King George V came to visit India, especially the Delhi Durbar. Debabrata Biswas was nicknamed, George. He has also earned reputation in the arena of music as George Biswas or George-da. It has been said that, `his music, though not always technically pristine, was notable for its exceptional depth of expression`.
Early Life of Debabrata Biswas
Debabrata Biswas was born on 22 August, 1911 to a conservative Brahmo family at Mymensingh, now in Bangla Desh. His induction in to the world of music was made possible with the hands of his father and tutor Debendra Kishore Biswas, who was a strict disciplinarian. Debabrata Biswas`s mother also used to perform at Brahmo Samaj Mandir.
Career of Debabrata Biswas
Throughout his lifetime Debabrata Biswas has rendered his iconoclastic style of Tagore`s songs and it was obvious at that time his renderings were not fully recognized by some mainstream exponents of Rabindra Sangeet.. This multifaceted talented persona experimented with western instruments like Guitar, Piano etc. in Rabindra Sangeet. Through his depiction Debabrata Biswas has always attempted to bring out the emotions and passions of Rabindra Sangeet even sometimes `at the cost of traditions`.
Besides Rabindra Sangeet, he was popular for singing with his baritone voice the Ganasangit or Peoples` Songs in party gatherings, meetings and plenary sessions up to the mid-1950s. He was the notable personality of Indian People`s Theatre Association (IPTA) as a cultural delegate of which he went China twice in the early 1950s.
He lent his voice in the films by well-known director Ritwik Ghatak (Meghe Dhaka Taara and others). As a "singer-actor" he also acted in dramas and a few Bengali movies, including Bhuli nai. He has also executed `adhunik` and English songs apart from Rabinra Sangeet. Debabrata Biswas`s career spans over sixty years.
This worthy singer died on 8 August, 1980.