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The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Kolkata offers tribute to cinema legend Guru Dutt, with screenings of his masterpieces and lectures
Kolkata is offering tribute to cinema legend Guru Dutt, with screenings of his restored masterpieces and lectures. The Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) hosted 'Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye Toh: Remembering Guru Dutt' on the occasion of the birth centenary of the filmmaker. As part of this commemoration, KCC is collaborating with the National Film Development Corporation – National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) to present a curated screening of 'Pyaasa' and exhibition of digital prints of original posters and film-stills alongside critical talks and archival materials that reframe Dutt's legacy for new audiences. An official statement from organisers says, 'engage with Dutt not as a nostalgic icon, but as a spectral presence–an artist whose images still whisper urgently to the present.' The day-long immersive tribute commenced with a keynote address titled 'Affect, Authorship and Ideology' which was an extensive exploration of the aesthetics and politics of Guru Dutt's films by Prof. Ira Bhaskar, the former Dean of Jawaharlal Nehru University. She spoke of how his films displayed a choreography of light and movement, molding with music. Professor Bhaskar analysed the politics of his film 'Pyaasa' which she described as a 'very hard-hitting critique of capitalism with its prostitution of human emotions and values at the altar of capital.' She goes on to probe into some more of his essential works–examining Dutt's reflections on patriarchy, feudalism, the emerging modernity and the capitalist film industry. 'He spoke fluent Bangla, and it was his life's dream to make a film in Bengali,' Professor Bhaskar said about Guru Dutt's love for Bengal and the influence it had on him. She mentioned that she will return to Kolkata in November this year for a seminar on Ritwik Ghatak, who she describes as another all-time obsession of hers. The day was completed with a screening of Pyaasa, one of Dutt's most celebrated films.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tribute to Bhowanipore's Guru Dutt on centenary
1 2 Kolkata: Guru Dutt was not born in Kolkata but the city had lived in him since he shifted here and grew up as a Bhowanipore resident. Fluent in Bengali and an avid reader of Bengali literature, Dutt married iconic Bengali singer, Geeta Ghosh Roy Chowdhuri, and filmed at least two of his cult movies in Kolkata. To commemorate his centenary, film enthusiasts from across India will gather for a day-long event at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity on Friday. Richa Agarwal, chairperson of the centre, described "Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye Toh: Remembering Guru Dutt" as a space to reflect on cinema and not just a tribute. After completing his schooling in Kolkata, Dutt took up a job of a telephone operator in the city in 1942. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "He watched Bengali films at Jyoti theatre next to his home, attended jatras, heard Baul songs and watched the dance dramas of Uday Shankar that had a deep impact on him. He admired the work of PC Barua, Debaki Bose, Nitin Bose, Phani Mazumdar. In his own cinema, we see the influence of these film-makers," said Ira Bhaskar, former dean of School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, who will deliver the keynote address. Bhaskar will present the programme's keynote address, titled 'Affect, Authorship, and Ideology. Dutt's association with Uday Shankar's School of Dance and Choreography in Almora impacted his work. JU professor Madhuja Mukherjee, who will also deliver a talk at the event, said Dutt's 'Pyaasa' is set in Kolkata. The song, 'Jaane kya tune kahi' featuring Dutt and Waheeda Rehmanwas shot at the Prinsep Ghat. Stories abound about Dutt's friendship with novelist Bimal Mitra whose 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' was adapted for the 1962-classic. It was partially shot at the Indo-English castle of the Gaines in Dhanyakuria. "Guru Dutt began to remake Nitin Bose's 'Saathi'/'President.' When he died in October 1964, he was remaking this film as 'Bahaaren Phir Bhi Aayengi'— set in Kolkata — with Mala Sinha and Tanuja as his co-stars. As he died, it was finished by his team, including his brother Atma Ram and released as a Guru Dutt production in 1966 with Dharmendra playing his role," Bhaskar said. Dutt had also started shooting his Bengali directorial debut titled 'Gouri', based on the life of a sculptor. But the project was shelved. "Geeta Dutt sang for all his films. In many of his films, SD Burman and Hemant Kumar composed the music," Bhaskar added.
