Noted Bengali theatre personality Saoli Mitra no more; She was 73
By: Pallab Ghosh
Radiance News Service
Eminent theatre personality and the daughter of legendary actors Sombhu Mitra and Tripti Mitra, Saoli Mitra passed away on Sunday at her residence in South Kolkata of heart ailments. She was 73.
Saoli Mitra was a natural talent and has left her mark not only on the stage as an actor but as a director, and playwright. She carried the legacy of her father and mother of Bahurupi, the theatre group founded by her parents. Not to forget the famous Rabindranath Tagore's 'Dakghar' staged by Sombhu Mitra which is still remembered as iconic.
She founded "Pancham Baidik," which staged widely acclaimed plays on women's emancipation.
She was the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi (2003), Padma Shri (2009), and Banga Bibhusan (2012). Her solo performances as Draupadi in "Naathvati Anaathbat" (wrote and directed), and as Sita in "Sitakatha" or Bitata Bitangso had received accolades both from her admirers and critics.
She acted as "Bangabala" in Ritwik Ghatak's avant-garde film "Jukti Takko Aar Gappo" (Reason, Debate, and a Story).
In 2006-08, she was at the forefront of the civil movement against the Left atrocities in Nandigram, and the Singur debacle.
Saoli Mitra played a vital role by leading the then Nandigram movement from the front. After Trinamool assumed power West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee appointed her as the chairperson of Bangla Academy in 2012. She tendered her resignation in January 2018, but she returned to the position in July in the same year.
Saoli Mitra, fondly to Saolidi, was not only a simple person but very down to earth. Always greeted with a smile. Her mortal remains were consigned to flames at the Siriti cremation ground without any fanfare as desired by her.
Her death has cast a spell of void not only to the theatre world but the entire cultural fraternity that was trying to come out of the shock of loosing Soumitra Chatterjee.