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SOUMITRA KUMAR MITRA
SOUMITRA Kumar MITRA Soumitra Kumar Mitra is a renowned theatre personality, elocutionist and social activists in Kolkata.

Many of his highly acclaimed aesthetically beautiful directorial works in his theatre group 'Purba Paschim', a leading group of in the arena of theatre, have kept distinctive signature and widely known  all over India. His elocution in his soft sonorous voice has also great popularity.

An avid lover of Fine Arts, Soumitra, an established and eminent person in the field of culture has been exposed to theatre since his childhood. ‘Archik’ & ‘Natayan’ founded by him with his childhood friends produced many theatre productions of which “Thanar Chatale Shuye”, an adaptation of Jean Paul Sartre & “ Uttap Sankranto Kolkata” maybe mentioned as his directorial ability. His association with theatre over the years has opened opportunities to him working with Sambhu Mitra, Badal Sarkar, Ajitesh Bandyopadhyay, Rudraprasad Sengupta and many other famous thespians. Born in 1954, in an aristocrat family of North Kolkata, Soumitra grew up with the essence of cultural heritage. He acted in “Michil’ & “Aajker Spartacus” with Badal Sarkar in 1974-75. Later he joined Nandikar in 1976 and acted in “Football”, “Antigone”, “Mudrarakhasa”, “ Kharir Gandi” etc. He also looked after day to day affairs of Nandikar as well as its press & publication part. In 1983, he quit Nandikar and independently produced Sunil Gangopadhayay’s “Radhakrishna” in association with noted celebrities of Kolkata. In 1975, he co-founded ‘Abritilok’ an organization to culture and promote poetry, the most powerful form of literature. He started many creative performances besides different activities related to theatre. Abrittilok “Kabita Utsav” is very popular and appreciated en-mass throughout West Bengal. His earlier recitation works, specially on 'collage of poetry'  is  still widely popular.

Abrittilok and his impressing recitation has acquainted him closer with Jyotirindra Moitra, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Shakti Chattopadhyay, Sunil Gangopadhyay and Sankha Ghosh. His recitation has been released by Sare Gama, Bhabna, Asha Audio, Ananya Music etc. At the same time he published ‘Natyalok,’ a fortnightly publication on group theatre and there he came  closer with Tripti Mitra, Bibhas Chakraborty, Monoj Mitra & his mentor tutor Late Keya Chakrabarty. . In 1997, Soumitra joined Ganakrishti and came closely with Bratya Basu. He has one accolade for his performance in “Aranyadev”, “Verus M” and “Shoteroi July” in the group. He was the president for a couple of years of Ganakristi. In, 2004, Soumitra Mitra independently started his new theatre group ' Purba Paschim' and venturedto produce popular theatre prodctions. Earlier major works here are Bratya Basu’s “Babli”, Ramaprasad Banik’s “Angshumati” & Bibhas Chakraborty’s ”Agnijal”.

The journey of Purba Paschim with famous productions has recognised itself a major theatre group of India. Besides acting, Soumitra started direction in Purba Paschim and the productions “Antony Soudamini” and ' Ek Manchi Ek Jibon' have become important milestones in the history of theatre. His work in theatre and his elocution have taken him to countries like USA, UK, France, Bangladesh, Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Thailand, Canada for several times. He was a special invitee for the 13th North America Banga Sammelan in Los Angeles in 1993. In 2005, Soumitra attended Banga Sammelan in New York and performed solo recitation as well as stage production directed by Bratya Basu. In 2007, he again attended North American Banga Sammelan in Toronto and performed with Manoj Mitra, Bibhas Chakraborty, Meghnad Bhattacharjee beside recitation. In 2018 he visited Poland and other European countries with his solo acting in the play ' Ekla Samrat' ,directed by another noted theatre personality Sri Manish Mitra.

In 2009 & 2010, Soumitra attended London Sharod Utsab and performed with Manoj Mitra, Dipankar De, Meghnad Bhattacharjee. Soumitra has acted in several Tele films, serials, and feature films with eminent directors like Gautam Ghosh, Raja Sen, Bratya Basu, Kaushik Gangopadhyay, Dulal Lahiri, Goutam Halder. Television is something very close to Soumitra’s heart as a composer, anchor & actor. His autobiography ‘Apon Ami’ has been published in 2013 and he has edited the life of Firingi Antony which has also been published in his credit. Recently he edited and compiled a documented book as tribute to legend of Indian Cinema Soumitra Chattyopadhyay, named as ' Dekhi Bismoye', and it has been appreciated widely. He has received several awards. Soumitra is also a great social activists with attachments with socio cultural organisations working for betterment of the socety. His recent active participation in relief work in flood, cyclone and Corona affected Sundarban areas is very important to mention as it has helped greatly to the victims  of the area. He has been continuing actively in every sphere of art and culture with his commitment.