Kolkata, Oct 3 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced that the birth anniversary of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar would be celebrated with music and festivities, while his death anniversary would be observed as a day of solemn tribute.
Addressing a programme organised to mark Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary, Adhikari said the state government had decided to observe the two occasions differently, underscoring the actor’s enduring cultural legacy, as he is popularly known as the ‘Mahanayak’.
“As chief minister, I have decided that the death anniversary will be observed with tributes. The birth anniversary will be celebrated with joy and music, with utmost respect,” he said.
Uttam Kumar, born on September 3, 1926, is regarded as one of the most influential actors in Bengali cinema and continues to enjoy an iconic status across generations. His birth centenary was observed last month with several programmes across the state.
The October 3 programme, organised by cultural organisation Banichakra, was held at the EZCC Auditorium in Salt Lake, a month after the state-level birth centenary celebrations.
Paying tribute to the actor at the beginning of his address, Adhikari said there could be only one ‘Mahanayak’ in the cultural sphere.
“In the cultural field, there is only one Mahanayak, and he is Uttam Kumar,” the chief minister said.
Praising the organisers and the artists associated with the centenary celebrations, Adhikari said the event had showcased Bengal’s rich cultural tradition and talent.
“You have seen the cultural consciousness and talent that have been appreciated across the world over hundreds of years. We had left the entire programme to the artists’ organisation,” he said.
He specifically acknowledged the contribution of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, filmmaker Sandip Ray, actor Haradhan Bandopadhyay, actors Prosenjit Chatterjee and Jeet, and actor Rituparna Sengupta, among others.
“From Mithun-da to Sandip Ray, Har-da, Prosenjit-da, Jeet and Rituparna, everyone performed their responsibilities beautifully. Many people participated,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari said a concrete plan could be worked out in the future for Banichakra and the Information and Cultural Affairs Department to collaborate on cultural initiatives.
The centenary programme brought together personalities from Bengali cinema, music and the cultural world to celebrate Uttam Kumar’s enduring legacy.
The actor, who died on July 24, 1980, remains deeply associated with the golden era of Bengali cinema and his screen partnership with Suchitra Sen continues to occupy a special place in Bengali popular culture. PTI PNT MNB
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