The last journey of Soumitra Chatterjee to the Keoratola crematorium threw up some rare frames in which chief minister Mamata Banerjee was seen along with a clutch of Left leaders, including Left Front chairman Biman Bose.
The presence of the bitter rivals at the funeral of the Bengal’s cultural icon shows that he transcended political divides.
The fact that Soumitra’s stature and the significance of his legacy to Bengalis — despite his unwavering belief in Marxism — were more important became clear through Sunday as leaders from all hues mourned his death.
The chief minister, who took charge of the proceedings shortly after Soumitra’s death was declared, was among the first to reach the south Calcutta hospital where the veteran actor breathed his last.
“‘Feluda’ is no more. ‘Apu’ said goodbye. Farewell, Soumitra (Da) Chatterjee. He has been a legend in his lifetime. International, Indian and Bengali cinema has lost a giant. We will miss him dearly. The film world in Bengal has been orphaned,” Mamata, who was the first to mourn his death, tweeted.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Left leaders Biman Bose, Surya Kanta Mishra and others at the Keoratola crematorium Telegraph picture
“Best known for his films with Satyajit Ray, Soumitra Da was conferred with Legion of Honor, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Banga Bibhushan, Padma Bhushan & several National Awards. A great loss. Saddened. Condolences to his family, the film fraternity & his admirers across the world,” she added.
Sources in the Trinamul Congress said Mamata stayed firmly by the side of Soumitra’s family throughout his 40-day stay in the hospital and took command of the last rites with full state honours as soon as the death was announced.
The chief minister, a source said, made it clear that she was not going to stay aloof on such an occasion simply because of differences in political ideology. She also instructed information and cultural affairs department officials to ensure the best possible farewell — albeit without compromising on the pandemic protocol — to the thespian.
“The message was clear that all were welcome to pay their last respects to Soumitrada,” said a source.
A CPM central committee member said it was decided at Alimuddin Street that the party would be part of the final journey, as Chatterjee was a “ghawreyr chheley”.
“It was decided that we won’t stoop to any tug-of-war over Soumitrada’s legacy and be civil with the ruling dispensation through it all,” he said.
So, along with Mamata, Left Front chairman Bose, CPM state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra and Left legislature party leader Sujan Chakraborty took part in the 3.5km funeral procession from Rabindra Sadan to the Keoratala crematorium.
The Left leaders stayed on till the cremation was over and were seen interacting with Poulami, the actor’s daughter.
Throughout Sunday, Mamata was seen talking to Poulami several times and the danseuse publicly thanked the chief minister and her government for their gesture.
“I must take this opportunity to express how grateful I am to Didi and the Bengal government. They have taken such great care of my father, with so much love and tremendous respect… our entire family will forever remember,” said the daughter.
“He got more than his due… like his own family, they stood by us,” she added.
The Trinamul chief, sources said, personally monitored Soumitra’s medical matters and was regularly in touch with Poulami and the doctors treating the actor.
“With Soumitrada, we lost today a global icon, a giant of world cinema, a polymath… who also participated in people’s movements as a humanist,” said Mamata.
“It is a day of immense sadness and pain…. But he will remain immortal in the heart of Bengal,” she added.
Later in the day, former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee condoled the demise. “The death of Soumitra Chatterjee is a deep tragedy. Bengali cinema will forever be indebted to him. I extend my condolences to his family,” wrote Bhattacharjee, known for his proximity to Chatterjee.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee with Poulami at the Keoratola crematorium Telegraph picture
The actor was among a handful in the civil society who did not switch sides in the post-Nandigram days and reaffirmed his commitment to the Bhattacharjee-led government then.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed “deep grief” at the loss.
“His creativity fleshed out the nuances of complex characters that he depicted on screen, giving them a sense of immortality. Deepest condolences to his family & millions of admirers,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of Chatterjee. “Shri Soumitra Chatterjee’s death is a colossal loss to the world of cinema, cultural life of West Bengal and India. Through his works, he came to embody Bengali sensibilities, emotions and ethos. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” he tweeted in Bengali, Hindi and English.