বাংলায় পড়ুন
Renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen, whose work transcended the boundaries of Bengal and gained international acclaim, was celebrated on the occasion of his centenary at Scottish Church College. This prolific artist's life journey is not only a source of inspiration but also a testament to resilience, navigating through education, politics, job changes, unemployment, family life, and a relentless pursuit of filmmaking.
Mrinal Sen's impact extended beyond directing; he was a talent spotter, known for launching the careers of numerous newcomers in the film industry. His legacy lives on through his creations, even after his passing in 2018, as Bengalis fondly remember him.
The birth centenary of Mrinal Sen, named ‘Shotoborshe Mrinal Sen,’ was commemorated by the Former Students' Association of Scottish Church College and the college itself in a grand event held on a Sunday. Eminent actor and alumnus of the college, Mithun Chakraborty, graced the occasion with his presence. Joining him were several notable alumni, including Shatarupa Sanyal, Kazi Masum Akhtar, Shilajit Mazumder, and Anamika Saha.
The event commenced with a soulful rendition of 'Bharot Amar Bharotborso' by Professor Shreya Sen. Dr. Madhumanjari Mandal, the college's principal, shared the genesis of this initiative, revealing that the idea arose from a conversation with renowned author Samaresh Majumdar. Samaresh had remarked that the college wanted to honour him, but he expressed that the college had not reached out when it truly mattered. This incident inspired Dr. Mandal to institute a tradition of celebrating special days with distinguished alumni, leading to the 'Mrinal Sen Centenary' event.
The vice principal of the college, Supratim Das, elaborated on Mrinal Sen's films and his creative contributions. Mithun Chakraborty, who rose from humble beginnings to achieve global recognition, attributed his success to luck and reminisced about his college days. He recounted his journey from an ordinary student to becoming the leading man in Mrinal Sen's films, navigating through college politics and elections.
Mithun Chakraborty's anecdotes about his encounter with Mrinal Sen and how their collaboration began left the audience captivated. The former students of the college had the opportunity to ask questions, and Mithun answered them with a smile. His childhood friend shared stories from their early years, when Mithun was known as 'Gauranga'.
A notable highlight of the 'Mrinal Sen Centenary' event was an exhibition featuring 20 photographs of Mrinal Sen. These photographs, curated by Supriya Nag, an alumna of Scottish Church College, offered a glimpse into Mrinal Sen's life and work over nearly three decades. Additionally, a documentary by Debjani Laha Ghosh provided further insights into the celebrated filmmaker's journey.
The entire program was expertly moderated by Shatarupa Sanyal, an alumna of the college and a prominent film director and writer. The event served as a poignant tribute to Mrinal Sen, who not only enriched Bengali cinema but also left an indelible mark on the world of filmmaking.
