Pankaj Kumar Mullick

Pioneer of Indian Film Music

Pankaj Kumar Mullick was a gifted singer, composer, and music director, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Indian film music. Over his long and illustrious career, he composed music and sang for more than 100 films in Bengali and Hindi, leaving a lasting impact on Indian popular music.

Early Life and Musical Training

Pankaj Kumar Mullick was born on 10 May 1905 in Kolkata. His love for music was inspired by his father Manimohan Mullick. He initially trained under Durgadas Bandopadhyay and Dinendranath Tagore, the grandnephew of Rabindranath Tagore.

Although he started college studies, his passion for music led him to leave college and devote himself entirely to music.

Career in Radio

Mullick’s professional career began in 1927, when he joined All India Radio as a musician. One of his most remarkable contributions was conducting weekly music lessons titled “Sangeet Shikhshar Ashar.”

He continued this programme for 47 consecutive years, which is considered an extraordinary achievement.

He also created the famous radio programme “Mahisasura Mardini”, in which Sanskrit shlokas were set to music. The programme is still broadcast every year on Mahalaya morning to welcome Durga Puja, and it has become an important part of Bengali cultural tradition.

Contribution to Film Music

Pankaj Mullick entered the film world in 1928, when he conducted live orchestras in movie theatres for silent films. In 1930, he joined New Theatres, where he trained artists and conducted rehearsals.

His first major success as an independent music director came with the film Mukti directed by P. C. Barua.

Mullick was also a close friend and mentor of K. L. Saigal, composing many songs that contributed to Saigal’s popularity. Some of the timeless songs associated with him include:

• “So Ja Rajkumari” (sung by Saigal)
• “Piya Milan Ko Jana” (sung by Mullick)

Musical Innovations

Pankaj Mullick made several pioneering contributions to Indian music:

• Popularized songs of Rabindranath Tagore (Rabindra Sangeet) through films
• Introduced Western musical instruments into Indian film music
• Promoted the use of tabla accompaniment in Rabindra Sangeet
• His rendition of Jana Gana Mana was considered the definitive version for singing the national anthem.

Social and Literary Contributions

As the Honorary Advisor to the Lok Ranjan Shakha of the Government of West Bengal, Mullick used music and entertainment to spread social awareness among the masses.

He was also an author and wrote four books on Indian music, contributing to the documentation and understanding of the country’s musical heritage.

Awards and Honours

Pankaj Mullick received numerous prestigious awards and titles for his contributions:

• Padma Shri (1970)
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1972)
• Rashtrapati Puraskar for music composition in the films Yatrik and Raikamal
• Honorary titles “Sursagar” and “Sangeet Ratnakar”
• BFJA Award from the Bengal Film Journalists’ Association

Legacy

Pankaj Kumar Mullick passed away in 1978, but his contributions to Indian cinema, radio broadcasting, and music remain unforgettable. His innovative compositions and timeless songs continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.

To honour his remarkable achievements, the Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp dedicated to this legendary music maestro.