Guests at the French National Day party at Taj Bengal on Saturday were greeted by Indian performers singing and dancing to Rabindrasangeet. The half-hour programme was the brainchild of acting consul-general of France Eric Herpin, the host this year. “We chose writings and songs of Tagore that reflected the theme of ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’, which is the motto of the French Republic,” he explained.

Soumitra Chatterjee with wife Deepa and Tanusree Shankar (middle)

Max Claudet, director, counsellor for culture and cooperation with the French embassy, traced the deep-rooted relations between India and France back from the reign of Louis XIV. “We expect more Indian participation in the next edition of Bon Jour India in 2013,” he said, referring to the celebration of French culture held across India.

Basudeb Banerjee, the home secretary, represented the state government, while a special guest this year was Soumitra Chatterjee. “It feels nice to be remembered by France, a country which is so interested in Indian culture,” said Chatterjee, savouring a glass of red wine. He was decorated an Officier des Arts et Metiers some years ago by the French government.

Max Claudet, Basudeb Banerjee, Eric Herpin

Spotted at the party were Mamata and Tanusree Shankar, Chittrovanu Mazumdar, whose mother is French, Bonani Kakkar, Sanjay Budhia, Rajat Dalmia and Chinmay Guha, the vice-chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University. The food was a mix of French and Indian cuisines, with the longest queues at the cheese and the dessert counters.

Minu and Sanjay Budhia with Mamata Shankar

The most imposing presence in the hall, though, was of the metallic woodland brown Renault Duster, parked next to a leggy model.

Sudeshna Banerjee

Pictures by Rashbehari Das