Mahanayak Smaran Sandhya Remembering Uttam Kumar

Shankha Bhattachaya

On July 23, 2024, the Rupamanjari Sanskritik Kendra organized the ‘Mahanayak Smaran Sandhya’ to commemorate the 45th death anniversary of the immortal actor Uttam Kumar. This event, dedicated to supporting underprivileged artists and technicians, was a heartfelt tribute to the legendary figure of Bengali cinema.

The first half of the evening was marked by emotional tributes from renowned and promising singers of Bengal, as well as other distinguished personalities. These performances set a nostalgic tone, reminiscing the contributions of Uttam Kumar to the World of cinema and culture.

The highlight of the second half was the unprecedented participation of Uttam Kumar’s family on stage. For the first time, his family members collaborated in a performance, presenting a unique blend of audio and stage play titled “Ami Uttam.” This 1 hour and 15-minute play focused on the professional life, preferences, and leisure activities of the great actor, consciously excluding his personal life.

“Ami Uttam” was performed by Uttam Kumar’s family members, relatives, and neighbours rather than traditional theatre groups. The play vividly depicted several significant events from the actor’s illustrious career. Uttam Kumar was portrayed in three different forms by actors Shibapada Bandopadhyay (his grandson), Joydeep Bandopadhyay, and Arindam Mukhopadhyay. Additionally, his granddaughters, Nabamita Chattopadhyay and Moumita Chattopadhyay, delivered captivating performances on the songs from Uttam Kumar’s films. The choreography and dance sequences were directed by Devlina Kumar, Uttam Kumar’s granddaughter-in-law and a talented Bengali celebrity actress.

The dance performances featured Devlina Kumar, Nabamita Chattopadhyay, Moumita Chattopadhyay, Debosmita Ghosh, Sneha, Anurag Dutta, child artist Prarohi Dutta, Master Shubhankar, Pratyusha Chanda, Diptoman Ghosh, and Master Aharshi Aich. The script was a delightful mix of audio play and acting, showcasing iconic scenes from Uttam Kumar’s movies and a glimpse into his life outside the film industry.

Arindam Mukhopadhyay excellently portrayed Uttam Kumar character in “Sanyasi Raja,” while Othello and Desdemona scenes were powerfully enacted by the husband-wife duo Shibapada Bandopadhyay and Koyel Bandopadhyay. Mahua Chattopadhyay took on the role of Molina Devi with great finesse. Other actors and actresses who contributed to the various roles included Ratna Banerjee, Sharmishtha Banerjee, Mahua Chatterjee, Moonmoon Chatterjee, Koyel Banerjee, Tinku Banerjee, Mou Chatterjee, Prarthito Chatterjee and Prodosh Mitter.

The script, penned by Ranu Bhattacharya and directed by Sharmishtha Banerjee, was well-received for its engaging narrative. Sourav Mitra provided the sound and music, effectively enhancing the mood of the play and dances. The sound and light coordination, co-assisted by group theatre actor-director Shankha Bhattacharyya, added to the overall immersive experience.

The event was produced by Rajorshi Roy with the support of the government, drawing a full house of attendees. The event marked the presence of dignitaries including Sri Debashish Kumar.  The evening was a meaningful and complete tribute, leaving the audience with a profound sense of reverence and admiration for the legendary Uttam Kumar.