Gopen Mullick and Bengali films.

Gopen Mullick and Bengali films.

Composer Gopen Mullick emerged as one of the powerful music directors of the 50s, 60s and 70s. He made immense contribution in Bengali films of the 60s and 70s.

In the 50s, his effort in Bengali films was overshadowed by musical giants like Robin Chatterjee, Anupam Ghatak, Anil Bagchi, Kalipada Sen, Pabitra Chatterjee and others. But he gave excellent music in Suchitra Sen’s film Subhoratri in 1956. The other notable films where he composed music included Aparadhi, Paap O Paapi, Bishkanya, Agnibanya, etc. In the film Bishkanya, Hemanta Mukherjee’s song “megher swapan dekhi”, and Manobendra Mukherjee’s song “khabo khabo korche” were very impressive.

In Uttam Kumar’s film Jibon Mrityu, Gopen Mullick’s music amazed the listeners. The film was released in 1967 and it was directed by eminent director Hiren Nag. Although the film was in the nature of crime-thriller, the music of the film had a big role to play in the success of the film. The best song in the film included “kono katha na bole” sung by Manna Dey and Sandhya Mukherjee. The duet song had great classical andaz and Uttam Kumar gave excellent lips in the brilliant song.

In Bhanu Banerjee’s comedy film Ashite Ashiona, Gopen Mullick’s music was extremely successful. Ruma Guha Thakurta was the heroine in the film. Manna Dey’s song “dub dub dub diye jai” had comedy andaz, while the duet song “Jodi akash hoto” had romantic song. Manna Dey and Ruma Guha Thakurta both sang the duet song.

Gopen Mullick composed brilliant music in Uttam Kumar’s film Sabarmati. The film was directed by Hiren Nag. Manna Dey’s song “dekhoni ki pathore phote phool” became a big hit. Gopen Mullick gave a comedy song “tak dhin dhin ta” to Kishore Kumar and Ila Bose in the film. The other film where Gopen Mullick composed impressive music included Uttam Kumar’s Teen Adhyay. Most of the songs were sung by Manna Dey, and some were picturised on actor Anup Kumar. Even in the film Tapashi, Gopen Mullick’s composition for Sandhya Mukherjee, titled “alor bhuban hariye geche” became a big hit.
In the 70s, Gopen Mullick composed music in the films Agnijuger Kahini, Aleyar Alo, Bondi Bidhata, Tushartirtha Amarnath, Ghatkali. He even composed music in the film Baikunther Will. After the demise of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar in 1980, melodious songs in Bengali films lost their significance. Gopen Mullick’s works should be restored and preserved for the new generation as he creations were unique, classically oriented and melodious in nature.