Uttam Kumar birth centenary to be celebrated from September 3-6, says Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced that birth centenary of iconic Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, popularly known as Mahanayak, will be celebrated from September 3 to September 6 this year.

“This year, on September 3, we will commemorate his (Uttam Kumar’s) birth centenary. We have decided to observe the birth centenary of the Mahanayak from September 3 to September 6. Preparations will begin shortly, and we will undertake several initiatives during this period,” Adhikari said.

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Adhikari also mentioned that the state government will build a new film centre in Kolkata and name it after iconic Bengali actor Uttam Kumar.

The government will also renovate and modernise Uttam Mancha in Kalighat, Adhikari said at a programme held at Keoratala Crematorium to mark the 47th death anniversary of the legendary actor who ruled the screens and hearts of Bengalis for generations.

According to the Chief Minister, the state government has already initiated the process of setting up a film centre in Kolkata named after Uttam Kumar and renovating and modernising Uttam Mancha, which is run by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).

“We have also taken responsibility for renovating and modernising Uttam Mancha,” he said, adding that the necessary financial provisions had been made in the state budget for the projects.

The Chief Minister further said a preparatory meeting would be held at Nandan or Rabindra Sadan, which he would personally chair, following which a committee would be formed to oversee the centenary celebrations.

“We will proceed based on the committee’s recommendations. We will, of course, take the permission of his family before undertaking any initiative,” Adhikari said.

Adhikari said several cultural activists had already met him at Nabanna, while four MLAs associated with the cultural world had also submitted suggestions regarding the centenary celebrations.

“Beyond them, there are many others who love the Mahanayak, who want to restore the lost glory of Bengal’s film industry and bring back our former prestige in an even better and more beautiful manner, completely free from politics,” he said.

Chief Minister Adhikari also hit out at the previous Trinamool Congress government in the state without naming the party.

“We have fallen behind considerably. We have made many mistakes. We must move beyond this point and rebuild things beautifully,” Adhikari said.

He also unveiled a fibreglass bust of Uttam Kumar at Keoratala Crematorium, where the legendary actor’s last rites were performed, to mark his 47th death anniversary.

The Chief Minister said the bust had been installed with the permission of Uttam Kumar’s family and paid tribute to the actor for his immense contribution to Bengali cinema and culture.

Uttam Kumar, widely regarded as the Mahanayak of Bengali cinema, died on July 24, 1980, at the age of 53. His screen partnership with Suchitra Sen remains one of the most celebrated chapters in Indian cinema.

The Chief Minister said the government would organise the centenary celebrations with the participation of people from the film and cultural fraternity, while seeking their suggestions through the proposed preparatory committee.

Adhikari, who also holds charge of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, said the government was committed to involving the wider cultural community in the celebrations.

“Chief Ministers, ministers, MLAs and officials cannot do everything on their own. There are actors and many people associated with our cultural movement who must be involved,” he said.

“This is a major platform in Bengal. We want to move forward after taking everyone’s suggestions and opinions,” Adhikari added.