Shaila Devi

Shaila Devi was born in 1918, in Comilla district of undivided Bengal. Her father was Rajani Kanta Das. Shaila started singing at an early age by listening to the radio. Her ability to pick up songs readily was noticed by her guardians and soon a formal training in music was arranged for her under Shri Shyama Charan Datta. Very soon other teachers like Ustad Khusru Mian, Samarendra Pal and Harihar Roy were giving her music lessons. Regular training in classical music at an early age from worthy trainers made her voice highly refined and polished, well suited for different types of songs. Occasionally music director Himangshu Datta also gave her lessons, when he happened to be at his hometown Comilla.

However, in 1931 or 1932, the exact date is unknown, Shaila was married to Sachindra Mohan Deb. Marriage did not prove to be an impediment with her singing as was usual in those days. On the contrary, financial conditions made it certain that she should continue to sing. Her husband was not very well off and she had to earn as well to maintain the family. So she decided to take up the profession of private tutor in music while she continued to learn herself.

She left East Bengal and came to Calcutta sometime in 1938 along with her husband in response to a call by Himangshu Datta. The music circle in Calcutta welcomed the newcomer with great enthusiasm. Himangshu Datta, Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay, Raichand Boral and Krishna Chandra Dey were amongst those who rendered helping hands to get Shaila established in the world of the radio and records. Devi got attached to Pioneer Records and her first recordings were Bengali devotional songs under the guidance of Krishna Chandra Dey. There was no looking back for her once the first record was published.

In 1940 she recorded Bonero Chameli Phirey Ai, a song that became immensely popular, so much that re-makes of this song has been made by several senior artistes of later years. She was one of the regular artistes for the radio programs titled Mahishashurmardini under Pankaj Mallick's direction, singing Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu for some years. For films, Devi sang under music directors like Kaji Nazrul Islam, Rai Chand Boral, Himangshu Datta, Durga Sen, Shailesh Dattagupta, Sachin Dev Burman and many others. Songs like Shuk Kahe Sari, Sudhu Kangaler Mato, Banglar Badhu Bukey Taar Madhu (with Robin Majumdar and Suprava Sarkar) created history. She also recorded Tagore songs as basic records. In the early forties Devi became one of the most sought after female playback singers. She also lent her voice to many Hindi films like Chowringhee and Wapas.

She had signed a contract to sing for Meghdoot as well but fate decided otherwise and most tragically she suffered an attack of ruptured appendix and was admitted to the Mayo Hospital in Calcutta on 11th March, 1944.