Uttam Kumar At 100: Kolkata Celebrates The Enduring Legacy Of Bengali Cinema’s Mahanayak
On his 100th birth anniversary, Kolkata gave Uttam Kumar a celebration worth his legendary stature. Called Mahanayak (The Great Hero), Kumar was the leading light of Bengali cinema from the 1950s to the 1970s, in a career that spanned over five decades. Born on September 3, 1926, Uttam Kumar, whose original name was Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay, died on July 24, 1980. On the actor’s birth centenary,…
On the 100th birth anniversary of Uttam Kumar, Kolkata held a grand celebration to honor the legendary actor, widely known as Mahanayak (The Great Hero). Born as Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay on September 3, 1926, Kumar passed away on July 24, 1980, leaving behind a remarkable five-decade-long career in Bengali cinema. The city adorned itself with oversized cut-outs and posters of the actor, paying tribute to his enduring legacy.
Kolkata's Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid homage to Kumar during a function in Tollygunge, announcing a year-long calendar of events to mark his birth centenary. Esteemed film personalities, including actress Rituparna Sengupta, who donned a saree featuring iconic scenes from Kumar's movies, attended the tribute. Prosenjit Chatterjee, who portrayed Kumar in a 2016 TV series, and Raima Sen, who shared a touching photograph of Kumar with her grandmother, also participated in the celebrations.
To commemorate the occasion, Nandan, a prominent film and cultural center in Kolkata, hosted an exhibition showcasing film booklets, behind-the-scenes stills, advertisements, magazines, and DVDs dedicated to the iconic actor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, extended his condolences, praising Kumar's timeless performances that continue to touch the hearts of people across generations.
In his tribute, he quoted part of his August 30 radio address, "Mann Ki Baat," where he described Kumar as a versatile actor who had deeply connected with people through his performances.
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