All these years we have been trying to get in touch with a member of Geeta ji’s family. Finally through social networking website Facebook we were able to connect with Shri Milan Roy ji, younger brother of Geeta ji. We are highly grateful to Shantu ji, Milan ji’s wife for connecting us with him.
Milan ji lives in the state of Arkansas, USA since 1961. Since it was not possible to meet with him in person, Parag Sankla from our team used video conferencing technique to speak with him. The interview has been recorded with permission from Milan ji and is being shared here.
Here are some of the questions we asked Milan ji.
1) Please tell us about your childhood or early memories of Geeta ji
2) Please tell us about the Roy family and the affection between the siblings. Please tell us more about the family group photo
Sitting from L to R: Debendranath Roy (Father), Geeta Roy, Amiya Roy (Mother)
Standing from L to R: Roma Dutta Roy (cousin) , Mukul Roy (brother), Pabitra Roy (brother) and Milan Roy (brother)
3) We have read that Geeta ji helped you to go abroad (USA) for studies. Please tell us more about it
4) How were your initial years in the USA? How often did you get a chance to meet her during your stay in the USA. Please tell us more about the photo with you and Geeta ji together
5) Please tell us about Mukulda who composed such wonderful songs for Geeta ji
6) We have read that Geeta ji was a very jovial and kind-hearted person. Please tell us more about this aspect of her nature
7) What are some of her songs which you personally like
8) While you were in India did you get a chance to attend some recordings or rehearsals with her. Please tell us more about it
9) When you go down the memory lane what your feelings about all the wonderful memories of your Ranga di you cherish.
10) We launched the website dedicated to Geeta ji in the year 2008. This was a little tribute to the immense talent from her fans. Please share your thoughts about it
Milan ji’s responses were straight from the heart, just like Geeta ji’s singing. He talked about so many wonderful memories during this 50 minute interview. It was truly a trip down memory lane.
We hope you will enjoy seeing to this interview as much as we enjoyed speaking with him.
During the interview, Milan ji mentioned that he played a small role in the film Jaal (1952) starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali, directed by Guru Dutt. This is the link for the small role Milan ji played in Jaal (1952) ?t=2m50s
We spoke about a particular color photograph of Geeta ji with Mohd Rafi sahab. It was taken when they were visiting London for a musical concert. The same is being shared here:
During the interview, Milan ji mentioned that he had gone to Madras (now Chennai) for the recording of this song sung by Geeta ji and Manna da. The song is Humne sapne dekh liye from the film Sitamgar (1958). It is a dubbed film from a south Indian film. It had music by G Ramanathan and B N Bali.
Milan ji,
Words cannot explain the happiness we at geetadutt.com got from having you talk about Geeta ji. It was really heartwarming to see you reminiscing about the one and only Geeta ji. Thanks for everything. We look forward to more in the coming days from you and rest of the family!
Good to see the article and clips on Facebook, thanks to Dr. Surjit Singh and Fans blog. Salim & Francoise
I am indebted to you for uploading this intimate interview of a Geeta Dutt sibling. Very interesting and intriguing . Geeta Dutt, to me will always remain a great singer. Would have liked to learn more of her aborted/shelved acting career
Geeta Roy Dutt has a voice that nobody can copy. She has sung songs that will stay in the history of Indian Cinema for ever. Thanks for publishing this interview with Milan Ji. She is a rare artist who has left her foot prints for us to preserve and be proud of her legacy.
I am Speechless. Thank you from bottom of my heart to publish this interview of geetaji’s brother. Many yhings i came to know through this.
Geetaji was truly a very kind hearted person, with gifted voice.
Missing her today on her 43rd death aniversary.
Geetaji we love you.
Here are some of the appreciative comments from members in the group “Sangeet Ke Sitare” on Facebook:
Rashmin Tamhne: Excellent interview, Parag! So engaging, and informative! It gave a real close-up feel of Geeta Dutt, the person!
Kalyan Kolachala: Great to hear the informative interview. Thanks for locating him and doing it. If he knew about the site, I wish he had contacted you earlier. Maybe you can do a follow up interview with more questions as there is a lot more one can – fans in this forum can suggest some too.
Naveen Zalpuri: Thanks a lot Parag ji for doing the this interview and sharing!!!
Aida Aarti B: Superb Share Paragji and I liked it to finally hear your voice also smile emoticon Nice, thanks
Ramesh Desai: Great job Paragji. My compliments .
Darkndusky Hoon: Thanks for the sweet and well timed interview of Milan ji Parag . You mentioned about a video for Chand hai wahi from Parineeta.. Can you point to it please ?
Medha Gawai: great work and nice to hear you!
Archana Gupta: Great job Parag! It was very nice to hear someone close to her talk about her. So glad that you could fulfill your dream of talking to someone in her family – can’t think of anyone who deserved to do this one more
BD Khanchandani: Yes Parag Sankla I watch the interview and you are very much there in the small square in the top left. Commendable job !
Shyam Uttarwar: Very informative and engaging interview Parag Sankla! Enjoyed every moment of it. Really a fabulous job! Thank you so much for helping us meet Geeta ji’s family member.
Some more appreciative comments:
Nikhil E Iyer: Thanks a lot dear Parag ji for sharing this wonderful interview with us…I am sure all the members here will enjoy and cherish this interview with Milan ji..You have really done an amazing thing by taking his interview..
Sudarshan Pandey: Himmat e Mardaan, Madad e Khudaa…………………Koshish karne waalon ko hi safalataa milti hai Parag Sankla ji. Aap ke dedication ko mera salaam. Aap jaise logon se bahut inspiration milta hai
Shah Nawaz Khan: Very interesting thanks for the efforts Parag Sankla ji
Dee Thakore: Indeed, a very interesting and enjoyable interview. Thanks Parag Sanklaji and Milanji. Music moves people of all cultures, in a way that doesn’t seem to happen with other species.
Supriyo Deb: Extraordinary effort Parag
Arghya Dutta: Superb well done!
Rajeev Kumar: Goose bumps
Meeta Mukherjee (daughter in law of composer Sailesh Mukherjee sahab) : Mr. Parag I want to thank you from the core of my heart for your efforts. I have heard Geeta Dutt sing during our bengali new year in C.J.Hall opposite Regal cinema in the early seventies. My father was the Vice president of Colaba Cultural Samiti and had invited her to sing.. I was a kid then hence a faint memory…
I find no words to express the happiness that was brought in thanks to your initiative and wonderful response from Milan Roy Choudhury ji. Being an ardent fan of Geeta Dutt (Roy) (you know it well), every tiny piece of information is precious for me. I was really wonder struck as to the spontaneity and enthusiasm with which he responded. I personally feel that you may please mention some of the salient features of conversation juxtaposition to the questions enlisted. It was really a great day to remember.
Thanking you and with regards.
Well documentex Mr Parag . I hv bern lucky enough to have heard her on many occasion,including in one occssion my father al,most forced her to sing benrgali song on out-of-tune harmonium of my sister inviting wtathfm my mother. But Geetupisi happily sang one fr my dad
Thanks mr Parag for all this information.
Thanks for some other excellent post. Where else may just anyone get that
kind of information in such an ideal way of writing?
I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the search for such information.
I would love to share some coloured photos i did of geeta duttji