Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

'Heritage Bengal' will pay homage to legendary singer composer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay on the eve of his birth centenary by organising a function on 14th and 15th February, 2020 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata. A short film of 35 minutes duration on Hemanta Mukhopadhyay will be screened there. A book named 'Neel Dhrubatara' (the blue northstar) on him will be published there in which complete list of his songs with valuable articles on him by eminent artists are the main attractions of this book. His rare photos also will be there in the book. Shubhajit and Kalyan Sarkar will play some classical based songs on sitar. Hemanta Mukhopadhyay will be remembered ever for his popular songs which will sing Srikanta Acharya and Jayati Chakraborty there at the function. The car used by him shall exhibit there for all. The two-days long programme will be inaugurated by Arati Mukhopadhyay and Soumitra Chattopadhyay. The function will start at 4:30 p.m. daily.

100 years ago, on this day, Mr Universe Manohar Aich was born in Bangladesh. Now he resides in Kolkata and became the pride of the city. He won the 1952 Mr Universe title and three-time Asian Games gold medal winner in body building. His chest measured 54 inches and waist only 23 inches. He is known also as 'Pocket Hercules' due to his short height. He is a happy person with his sons, daughters, students, admirers, friends and well-wishers. Manohar Aich - the pride of Kolkata is being felicitated today by the city for his marvellous centenary. -- A. B.

100 years ago, on this day, "Jana gana mana" - created by Rabindranath Tagore, was sung for the first time, at the convention of Indian National Congress in Kolkata. To commemorate this occasion, a programme organised at Town Hall of the city this evening by the Govt. of West Bengal. Eminent film director Rituporno Ghosh will conduct the function.-- A. B.