Renuka Dasgupta Biography 
Renuka Dasgupta was a noted Bengali singer popular with songs of Atulprasad Sen. She was one among those singers who was fortunate enough to learn from directly from Atulprasad Sen, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Dilipkumar Roy. Her Rabindra Sangeet records include - Diner Pore Din Je Gelo (1935), Aamaar Ki Bedonaa, Koto Katha Tare Chilo Bolite, Tomaro Shurer Dhara and Basante Basante Tomar Kobi Re Dao Dak. She was the cousin of cousin of Sahana Devi and Atulprasad Sen.
Renuka was born on 22 August 1910 in Konnagar, Bengal Province. She lived in Gaya till the age of 5 and later the family moved to Tikatuli, Dhaka. After marriage, she settled permanently in Calcutta. She married Hirendra Chandra Dasgupta, a graduate engineer of Bengal Engineering College. She taught Music in Kamrunnesa Girls High School at Tikatuli, Dhaka in the late 1920s.
In 1932, three Indian recording companies were started in Bengal to compete with British-owned Gramophone Company of India. Owner of Hindusthan Records, C.C.Saha requested Rabindranath Tagore to record some songs and recitations. It was released first, followed by two records sung by Atulprasad Sen and Renuka Dasgupta. 'Jodi gokulachandra braje na elo' and 'Pagla montare tui bandh' sung by Renuka became immensely popular. 'Pagla montare tui bandh' was written and composed by Atulprasad and later many popular songs were formed in this magic combination.
She was also trained under Kazi Nazrul Islam and was recorded the song Aye Bhikharin Premnagar Ke Pritam Pritam. In 1935, Rabindranath Tagore wanted her to sing a few of his songs and instructed Dinendranath Tagore to train her. But sudden demise of Dinendranath Tagore resulted in giving the project to Sailajaranjan Majumdar, under whose guidance Renuka recorded 5 Rabindra sangeet songs. A few of her noted songs recorded with Atulprasad include - Ohe Jagatkaron, Amaar Chokh Be(n)dhey Bhober Khelay, Pagla Monta Re Tui Bandh, Emono Badole Tumi Kothay, Shuktara Tomar Chholo Chholo Akhi and Ogo Saathi Momo Saathi.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 26, 2014
