Uttam Kumar: Still Relevant in Our Hearts and Cinematic Domain

 

Uttam Kumar, the doyen of film is still deeply embedded in the mind and heart of cultural loving Bengalis, of not only Bengalis of India, but also of Bengalis of Bangladesh plus rest of the globe. It was on July 24; this Matinee Idol of Bengali cinema departed for eternal peace to get mixed up with the stars. The year was 1980. But interesting part to be noted is that till date remains deeply embedded in the mind and heart of Bengalis. Human beings in different cultural disciplines in life, become mixed up with the stars, but my point is that why cultural loving Bengalis still reminisce this Matinee Idol of Bengali Cinema by heart. This might be a hypothetical proposition by me, but in reality, it sounds apt and justified.

In life, The Superpower, gives birth to diverse sections of populaces, but we evince from close quarters that the real talents are never erased from our storehouse of memories and mind. Matinee idol was such a dynamic personality whom cultural loving Bengalis witness from close quarters, a person full of dedication to his field along with amiability and flamboyance, sounds a striking note in people’s mind. Our sorrow is that we lost him at a tender age, which was not at all called for. 53 years, is it the age to get mixed up with the stars? In this regard, I appeal earnestly to my readers that not to take up views from philosophical point of view. In real sense of the term, it would connote my views as such it is absolutely true to our mind and heart.

Mahanayak, as Uttam Kumar was affectionately referred to as, was born in a middle-class family way back in the year 1926, on September 3. Hence, I do have my candid confession in concurrence to Mahanayak’s 45th year of the day of his sad mixing up with the stars. It was no doubt sorrowful for all of us, but we must have to accept the hard facts of our life. There is a well-known proverb as propounded by a well-known philosopher of the globe,’ when call comes up from the earth, none of us, nor even the medical professionals could prevent us from departing for eternal peace and salvation’. I feel that it is indeed the hard facts of life, which we have to accept it graciously.

Legendary Uttam Kumar in his prolific filmy career was lucky to have been able to work under the motivation of notable Bengali and few directors like Satyajit Ray, Pijush Bose, Ajoy Kar, Nirmal Dey, Niren Lahiri, Chitta Bose, Debaki Bose, Sushil Majumdar etc various other eminent directors of those periods of time. Uttam Kumar himself some well-known Bengali films which earned wide ranging plaudits and adulations from his cross section of fans and admirers based in India, Bangladesh, UK, US, Germany plus rest of the globe. The films in which he worked with earned him admirations from the directors.

The legendary director, detective novelist of repute, painter, script writer, illustrator and music composure Satyajit Ray deeply lamented the way Uttam Kumar was not utilized in illustrious film career. Immediately after his demise in the year 1980 on July 24, legendary Ray stated, ‘it is the dark days in the world of Bengali cinema. 

We were so unfortunate that we could not utilize the talent of legendary Uttam Kumar properly.’ But still in order to commemorate his merit, legendary as a token of tribute wrote a novel named, ‘Nayak’. It depicted exclusively the life of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, strain and stressful life of the celebrity film stars. Yes, the film was so successful which earned widespread accolades from all walks of life. The film was so well directed by Manikda as well as the photography itself. Other film of Satyajit Ray, in which Uttam Kumar acted was ‘Chiriyakhana’.  The last named was a detective writing by well known in the world of Bengali literature Saradindu Bandopadhyay.

Now coming to the details of films acted by Uttam Kumar, let me touch upon one vital point regarding the Matinee Idol’s filmy career. The well-known films in which Mahanayak acted as stated as follow:

Bosu Paribar
Sharey Chuattar
Mouchak
Nayak
Chiriyakhana
Agniswar
Asadharan
Silpi
Harano Sur
Ananda Ashram
Indrani

Summation of the above discourse, I feel legendary Uttam Kumar is still deeply vivid in the storehouse of cultural milieu of Bengali art and culture. Though we will pay our deepest homage to his noble memory on the occasion of the completion of his 45th year of his passing away to get mixed up with the stars. As days pass off, the golden memories of legendary Uttam Kumar will be more deeply refreshed within the storehouse of our memories. Also, we cherish deeply that wherever he remains, he will continue to bless the uprising stars of today.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.