Oliphant Chuckerbutty

Who was Oliphant Chuckerbutty?

Soorjo Alexander William Langobard Oliphant Chuckerbutty was an English composer and an organist of Anglo-Indian descent who played in both cinemas and churches. He was a grandson of Surgeon-major Goodeve Chuckerbutty, and a nephew by marriage of Sir Ganendra Roy, Director of Posts and Telegraphs in India; his maternal grandfather was journalist William Oliphant.

Little known as a composer, Chuckerbutty wrote mainly for organ. He began playing the piano at six, and was composing by 14. His careers in church and cinema occurred simultaneously. Quentin MacLean called him "the only organist I know who combines whole-time cinema work with whole-time church work and makes a job of both."