Kolkata, 03 September (H.S.) : The West Bengal government will organise year-long programmes to mark the birth centenary of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Thursday.

Adhikari made the announcement after paying floral tribute to Uttam Kumar’s statue in Tollygunge. Several prominent actors, including Ranjit Mallick, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Dev and Jeet, were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said the birth centenary celebrations would not be restricted to a few days of ceremonial programmes. A series of events would be organised throughout the year. He said the government would celebrate the occasion with the same importance accorded to the 125th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

Adhikari said Uttam Kumar’s contribution to Bengali cinema needed no formal recognition, as people themselves were coming forward to pay tribute to the legendary actor.

He said the state government would undertake renovation and reconstruction of institutions named after Uttam Kumar across West Bengal as part of the birth centenary celebrations.

The Chief Minister said the Uttam Mancha auditorium under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation would also be renovated. The government is also compiling photographs of Uttam Kumar statues located in different parts of the state, with actor Prosenjit Chatterjee assisting in the effort.

Adhikari said a new institution named after Uttam Kumar would also be established in Kolkata. Its foundation stone would be laid on Friday morning.

According to the Chief Minister, the Centre would also issue a commemorative coin and postage stamp featuring Uttam Kumar as part of the birth centenary celebrations.

Adhikari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about Uttam Kumar for nearly five minutes during his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on August 30. The Prime Minister had also paid tribute to the legendary actor through social media, he added.

The Chief Minister said Bengal was once at the forefront of the country's cultural landscape, but several other parts of the country, including Mumbai, later moved ahead.

He said the state government would neither seek credit for the birth centenary celebrations nor attempt to give the event a political colour. The government, he added, would extend full cooperation to artists and others associated with the celebrations.

Adhikari also appealed to people to participate in a procession to Uttam Kumar’s residence. He urged citizens to join the procession, scheduled to begin at 5 pm, with discipline and enthusiasm.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister described Uttam Kumar as an “undisputed Mahanayak”. He said the actor’s exceptional acting skills, timeless charm and effortless screen presence had given Bengali cinema a distinct identity and set new benchmarks for generations of artists.

Uttam Kumar’s legacy as the “eternal Mahanayak”, he said, would continue to illuminate Bengal’s and the country’s cultural landscape for generations to come.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh