Distinguished filmmaker Harisadhan Dasgupta’s birth centenary was celebrated on Poila Baisakh at Nandan. As Raja Dasgupta and Chaitali Dasgupta hosted the evening, family members, friends and acquaintances of Harisadhan Dasgupta reminisced about him. One of his documentary films, Konark was also screened on the occasion.
Prominent personalities who were present included Aparna Sen, Madhabi Mukherjee and Goutam Ghose. Raja said: “This event was of utmost importance to me and my family. And we are overwhelmed by the turnout and really happy that it was a grand success. Konark is one of his landmark films and that is why we chose this film.” On the occasion, Chaitali said: “Harisadhan Dasgupta and I shared a very simple relationship. He loved talking and so did I. We exchanged thoughts like friends. It felt great hosting the event and I am glad that we could execute it with so many people in attendance. Today is Poila Baisakh and the celebration of his 100th birthday...nothing else could give us this much happiness.”
“I knew him as Hari kaku way before I knew him as a filmmaker because he was a frequent visitor as my father’s (Chidananda Dasgupta) friend. Hari kaku, Satyajit Ray used to hang out regularly. I was very young at that time but what I clearly recall of Hari kaku was his kindness and energy. 6, Southern Avenue used to be his address and that house has seen iconic people and some of the greatest times. What I recall of Hari kaku’s filmmaking is its modernism. I still remember seeing this shot where Soumitra looks at Madhabidi while they were on the Ganges and after a chilling silence, he says, ‘Will you marry me?’ When I look back I realise how the scene was much ahead of its time and so was Hari kaku," said Aparna Sen.
Veteran actress Madhabi Mukherjee, who had worked with Harisadhan on numerous projects, noted, “Harida had given me a South Indian sari for one of our premieres that I still have at home. I have been acting since I was six years old but it was not until I did Harida’s film that we used real gold jewellery whilst shooting. I would stay in north Calcutta and he in south and yet he would drop me home every time we shot till late at night. Harida was a man of extraordinary vision.” Goutam Ghose said: “ I still remember that I had gotten a contract from the irrigation department and I shared the same with Harida and within moments he gave me his camera and said, ‘You cannot make a film without having your own camera’, and I was very grateful that he believed in me. We also worked together.”
Konark narrates the history of the Sun Temple in Odisha which is dedicated to Lord Surya and was built by King Narasimha Deva in the 13th century. As the camera lingered on the sculptures on the outer and inner walls of the temple, the intricate vibrancy and grand structural design of the place came to life on screen. Harisadhan Dasgupta passed away on August 19, 1996, in Santiniketan.
