A university has for the first time taken up an academic initiative to document the life, legacy and cultural influence of Bengal’s greatest screen icon Uttam Kumar, as Kalyani University released the first volume of ‘Sobar Upore Uttam’ ahead of the legendary actor’s death anniversary.
The book, brought out by the Journalism Certificate Course of the university’s Bengali Department, was unveiled at a special discussion meeting where Vice-Chancellor Prof Kallol Pal described Uttam Kumar as not merely a film star but an emotion deeply rooted in Bengali identity.
“Even today, we do not find any actor in Bengali cinema who comes close to Uttam Kumar. He was not only the Mahanayak; he is an emotion for Bengalis. His name remains the first to be remembered in every Bengali heart,” Prof Pal said while inaugurating the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
Thanking the director of the Journalism Certificate Course for conceptualising the book during Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary celebrations, the Vice-Chancellor said the publication was an important attempt to preserve the cultural memory associated with the legendary actor.
The event was attended by Uttam Kumar’s daughter-in-law Mahua Chattopadhyay as the chief guest. Recalling the actor’s philosophy of life, she said Uttam Kumar believed that becoming a true ‘Mahanayak’ required following three principles—discipline, devotion and dedication.
“Whenever our family goes through difficult times, remembering him feels like experiencing the presence of God,” she said.
Sharing an emotional memory of the actor’s funeral procession, Mahua recalled how a group of young admirers had blocked the vehicle carrying Uttam Kumar’s mortal remains to Keoratala crematorium. “They lay down in front of the car and looked towards the sky, saying—‘Guru, return as Sannyasi Raja’,” she said.
The first volume of the book features 50 new articles, rare photographs, posters and a letter written by Uttam Kumar to his wife Gauri Devi. Academics, journalists and admirers from 10 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, England, France and Australia, have contributed to the publication.
Veteran actress Sabitri Chattopadhyay, in her foreword, praised the initiative, saying that although several books had earlier been published on Uttam Kumar, this was the first time a university had undertaken such an academic project.
The editor of the book and director of the Journalism Certificate Course, Prof Sukhen Biswas, said Uttam Kumar represented the dreams, imagination, style, Bengali identity and emotional security of generations of Bengalis.
“Wherever Bengalis live across the world, discussions and celebrations around Uttam Kumar continue. Through his acting, he broke the traditional divide between commercial and parallel cinema,” Prof Biswas said.
He added that the second volume of ‘Sobar Upore Uttam’, containing another 50 writings, would be released on 3 September, Uttam Kumar’s birth anniversary, as part of the centenary celebrations.
Around 300 students, researchers and teachers attended the programme, which was also attended by Bengali Department head Prof Nandini Banerjee, Prof Prabir Pramanik, Prof Sanjit Mondal, Dr Shyamashree Biswas Sengupta and Dr Piyush Poddar. The programme was conducted by Dr Shyamashree Biswas Sengupta.