Shaila Devi(1918-1944)
- Music Department
Shaila Devi was born in 1918, in Comilla district of undivided Bengal.
Her father was Rajani Kanta Das. Shaila started singing at an early age
by listening to the radio. Her ability to pick up songs readily was
noticed by her guardians and soon a formal training in music was
arranged for her under Shri Shyama Charan Datta. Very soon other
teachers like Ustad Khusru Mian, Samarendra Pal and Harihar Roy were
giving her music lessons. Regular training in classical music at an
early age from worthy trainers made her voice highly refined and
polished, well suited for different types of songs. Occasionally music
director Himangshu Datta also gave her lessons, when he happened to be
at his hometown Comilla. However, in 1931 or 1932, the exact date is
unknown, Shaila was married to Sachindra Mohan Deb. Marriage did not
prove to be an impediment with her singing as was usual in those days.
On the contrary, financial conditions made it certain that she should
continue to sing. Her husband was not very well off and she had to earn
as well to maintain the family. So she decided to take up the
profession of private tutor in music while she continued to learn
herself. She left East Bengal and came to Calcutta sometime in 1938
along with her husband in response to a call by Himangshu Datta. The
music circle in Calcutta welcomed the newcomer with great enthusiasm.
Himangshu Datta, Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay, Raichand Boral and Krishna
Chandra Dey were amongst those who rendered helping hands to get Shaila
established in the world of the radio and records. Devi got attached to
Pioneer Records and her first recordings were Bengali devotional songs
under the guidance of Krishna Chandra Dey. There was no looking back
for her once the first record was published. In 1940 she recorded
Bonero Chameli Phirey Ai, a song that became immensely popular, so much
that re-makes of this song has been made by several senior artistes of
later years. She was one of the regular artistes for the radio programs
titled Mahishashurmardini under Pankaj Mallick's direction, singing
Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu for some years. For films, Devi sang under music
directors like Kaji Nazrul Islam, Rai Chand Boral, Himangshu Datta,
Durga Sen, Shailesh Dattagupta, Sachin Dev Burman and many others.
Songs like Shuk Kahe Sari, Sudhu Kangaler Mato, Banglar Badhu Bukey
Taar Madhu (with Robin Majumdar and Suprava Sarkar) created history.
She also recorded Tagore songs as basic records. In the early forties
Devi became one of the most sought after female playback singers. She
also lent her voice to many Hindi films like Chowringhee and Wapas. She
had signed a contract to sing for Meghdoot as well but fate decided
otherwise and most tragically she suffered an attack of ruptured
appendix and was admitted to the Mayo Hospital in Calcutta on 11th
March, 1944. She passed away in the early hours of the very next day on
the 12th of March, leaving behind her husband, two daughters, Leena and
Subhra, a son Suhas Kusum Deb and a host of mourning admirers. Her
younger daughter Subhra died of rheumatic heart disease when she was
only fifteen.Shaila Devi's eldest daughter Leena Saha is a singer also
and has lent her voice for films and has performed on the stage several
times. After Shaila's death the Senola Company released some of her
last songs recorded earlier.
Her father was Rajani Kanta Das. Shaila started singing at an early age
by listening to the radio. Her ability to pick up songs readily was
noticed by her guardians and soon a formal training in music was
arranged for her under Shri Shyama Charan Datta. Very soon other
teachers like Ustad Khusru Mian, Samarendra Pal and Harihar Roy were
giving her music lessons. Regular training in classical music at an
early age from worthy trainers made her voice highly refined and
polished, well suited for different types of songs. Occasionally music
director Himangshu Datta also gave her lessons, when he happened to be
at his hometown Comilla. However, in 1931 or 1932, the exact date is
unknown, Shaila was married to Sachindra Mohan Deb. Marriage did not
prove to be an impediment with her singing as was usual in those days.
On the contrary, financial conditions made it certain that she should
continue to sing. Her husband was not very well off and she had to earn
as well to maintain the family. So she decided to take up the
profession of private tutor in music while she continued to learn
herself. She left East Bengal and came to Calcutta sometime in 1938
along with her husband in response to a call by Himangshu Datta. The
music circle in Calcutta welcomed the newcomer with great enthusiasm.
Himangshu Datta, Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay, Raichand Boral and Krishna
Chandra Dey were amongst those who rendered helping hands to get Shaila
established in the world of the radio and records. Devi got attached to
Pioneer Records and her first recordings were Bengali devotional songs
under the guidance of Krishna Chandra Dey. There was no looking back
for her once the first record was published. In 1940 she recorded
Bonero Chameli Phirey Ai, a song that became immensely popular, so much
that re-makes of this song has been made by several senior artistes of
later years. She was one of the regular artistes for the radio programs
titled Mahishashurmardini under Pankaj Mallick's direction, singing
Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu for some years. For films, Devi sang under music
directors like Kaji Nazrul Islam, Rai Chand Boral, Himangshu Datta,
Durga Sen, Shailesh Dattagupta, Sachin Dev Burman and many others.
Songs like Shuk Kahe Sari, Sudhu Kangaler Mato, Banglar Badhu Bukey
Taar Madhu (with Robin Majumdar and Suprava Sarkar) created history.
She also recorded Tagore songs as basic records. In the early forties
Devi became one of the most sought after female playback singers. She
also lent her voice to many Hindi films like Chowringhee and Wapas. She
had signed a contract to sing for Meghdoot as well but fate decided
otherwise and most tragically she suffered an attack of ruptured
appendix and was admitted to the Mayo Hospital in Calcutta on 11th
March, 1944. She passed away in the early hours of the very next day on
the 12th of March, leaving behind her husband, two daughters, Leena and
Subhra, a son Suhas Kusum Deb and a host of mourning admirers. Her
younger daughter Subhra died of rheumatic heart disease when she was
only fifteen.Shaila Devi's eldest daughter Leena Saha is a singer also
and has lent her voice for films and has performed on the stage several
times. After Shaila's death the Senola Company released some of her
last songs recorded earlier.