Biography
He was born in a small village in West Bengal. His father worked for Indian Railways and had a transferable job. As a result, he lived in Kolkata with his paternal uncle, a tabla player and employee of the Star Theater. Thanks to his uncle's connections, he had the opportunity to watch performances by some of the finest actors in commercial theater. He always aspired to become an actor. Tulsi Chakraborty's first film appearance was in "Punarjanmo" (1932). After the commercial success of "Manmoyi Girls School," Chakraborty became one of the leading character and comic actors in Bengali cinema. He played a minor role as Prassana-Gurumoshai, Apu's village school teacher, in Satyajit Ray's "Pather Panchali" (1955). The pinnacle of his career was undoubtedly Satyajit Ray's "Paras Pathar" (The Philosopher's Stone). This 1957 film, described by renowned critic Marie Seton as a blend of comedy, fantasy, satire, farce, and a touch of pathos, showcased Tulsi’s acting talents to their fullest. He portrayed Paresh Dutta, a humble bank clerk who accidentally discovers the mythical Philosopher's Stone—which transforms iron into pure gold—and experiences a whirlwind of fame, fortune, and eventual downfall. Other notable performances include roles in "Sharey Chuattor" (1953), "Paresh," "Kabi," "Ramer Sumati," and "Shyamali," among others. He was one of the finest character actors Bengali cinema has ever produced. However, during that era, film producers often exploited actors. Being a shy and introverted man, Chakraborty never asked for a raise in his modest fees during filming. Despite acting in over 300 films and plays, he never earned as much as he might have. After his death, his widow endured severe poverty. Another prominent film personality, Mithun Chakraborty, kindly sent her Rs. 500 monthly until her passing.
