1. She arrived at the science city auditorium around 7pm and made it the Mamata Banerjee show.

2. The celeb crowd rises to its feet as Mamata walks to the stage.

3. Mamata is hugged by the evening’s co-host Swastika Mukherjee.

4.The chief minister receives the Shera’r Shera award from Aveek Sarkar, chief editor of the ABP group.

5.The winner of the Shera’r Shera award 2011 takes the microphone to dedicate her historic victory in Bengal to the people.

6.She takes the podium for a brief while, spouting Tagore and charming the audience.

Amitav Ghosh was Shera Bangali (Literature). He received the award from Suranjan Das, the vice-chancellor of Calcutta University. Those hoping to hear that the writer of the Ibis trilogy would take up writing in Bengali some day were in for a disappointment. “Bhebechhi... kintu ekhon aar bodhoy hobe na,” he smiled, when asked by Suman De of STAR Ananda about his debut in Bengali.	Aparna Sen was Shera Bangali (Direction). Debasree Roy handed over the award to her 36 Chowringhee Lane director. “You don’t want to come into politics?” Aparna was asked. “No! When will I make films if I enter politics?” demanded the maker of The Japanese Wife.
Ashoke Sen was feted with the Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to the world of physics. He received the award from Ganesh Pyne. When asked whether his path-breaking research in string theory could end the Bengali’s quest for the Nobel, that had eluded Jagadish Chandra Bose and Satyendra Nath Bose, Sen said: “My research is my joy. I am not thinking of the Nobel prize.”	Prosenjit, sporting an embroidered sherwani, churidar and a moustache, was Shera Bangali (Acting). Tollywood’s Bumbada received the award — and a peck on the cheek — from Aparna Sen. “What is the secret of your enduring appeal?” he was asked. The Moner Manush and Autograph man said he derived inspiration from the likes of Aparna Sen and Soumitra Chatterjee. “I just try to perform. Honestly speaking, it is the audience’s blessings and it is their wishes that I try to fulfil,” he added.
Anupam Roy sang Amake amar moto thakte dao after Dev and Koel Mallick presented him with the Notun Mukh (New Face) award. “So, after the success of the song, are people letting you be?” asked Suman. “Khub ekta noi ... onnoder moton o achhi anekta!” smiled the engineer-turned-singer.	Mahbubur Rahman was Shera Bangali (Art) and he received the award from Jogen Chowdhury. The painter from Bangladesh was asked: “Our chief minister paints during her free time. Do Sheikh Hasina or Begum Khaleda Zia paint too?” Mahbubur Rahman replied with a disarming smile: “They are mostly involved in politics.”
Shohini Ghose, Shera Bangali (Science), was handed the award by palaeontologist Sankar Chatterjee. “Do you think Bengali men are not being able to match up to women in the field of science?” she was asked. “I feel women are excelling in all fields. I hope more girls play cricket in school and study science,” replied the ace in quantum physics.	Shera Bangali 2011 hosts Swastika Mukherjee and Suman De
Rahul Banerjee was Shera Bangali (Sports). And who better to hand it over than elder sister and fellow-archery champ Dola? That also gave the bro a chance to turn the Science City stage into a shooting range. “It was easier to set my targets with my sister around. It was a great help and she has always supported me. I always wanted to achieve whatever she has,” said Rahul, dismissing any talk of ego hassles among siblings.	Jeet Gannguli was Shera Bangali (Music), an award he won from Bolly-Tolly ace Shantanu Moitra. “You became Jeet from Chandrajeet and now that you have started working with the Bhatts, would you become Kumarjeet and forget Bengal?” the hit machine was asked. “Forgetting Bengal is like forgetting my mother. That will never happen,” said Jeet.
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After the awards, The After-party at ITC Sonar Pala

Bolly boy Pritam rocked the night with Babul and Monali

Post-awards, Bollywood’s star composer Pritam took the Science City stage for an hour of musical medley. He paid homage to one of his “favourite Bangalis of all time — Pratul Mukhopadhyay” and sang Aami Banglay gaan gai. “I feel good as well as nervous every time I perform in Calcutta. Baritey holey jerokom hoy!” said Pritam, flanked by Babul Supriyo and a band of dhakis. With Pritam’s band Metro, Babul tried his hand at the dhak and sang Dil mein baji guitar.	Former Shera Bangali Monali Thakur stepped up the tempo by punching the folk song Kaader kuler bou with Khwab dekhe jhoothe moothe.	Dancer-choreographer Sukalyan Bhattacharya and his team performed a fusion piece of Manipuri martial art moves and graceful steps to portray the illusions of Mahamaya.
Text: Saionee Chakraborty, Kushali Nag, Mohua Das and Torsha Banerjee