Biography

Bigraha (1930) was the the first film in which Chunibala Devi acted. Earlier she had performed on the stage. However, after one or two more films she retired as an actress, only to be brought back after about thirty years by Satyajit Ray, who had started making his first film, Pather Panchali (1955). When he was on the look out for an elderly actress to play Indir Thakrun,he was informed about Chunibala by Reba Devi (playing Sejo Thakrun). He went to interview the grand old lady and was really impressed, especially her memory at an advanced age and also her willingness to cooperate - the film being shot away from Calcutta and the artistes were required to be at location daily from Calcutta. Unfortunately, Chunibala died before the release of the film although Ray had been to her house to show her a projection.

Chunibala Devi became the first Indian to win an award in the best actor/actress category in an international film festival, The Manila Film festival, for her role of Indir Thakrun.