The highest award for the evening — Serar Sera Bangali — went to entrepreneur Purnendu Chatterjee of The Chatterjee Group at ABP Ananda Sera Bangali 2018, partnered by The Telegraph, held at The Oberoi Grand on August 11. Chatterjee received the honour from Tollywood veteran and last year’s winner Soumitra Chatterjee. “I wonder whether I deserve this award as I am not used to getting awards like this, especially in front of such an august audience, so I feel very grateful.... The fact that around 5,00,000 people earn their living from Haldia Petrochemicals makes me proud and I feel, if my mother was alive today, she would have been proud too. I have faced many hurdles along the way but I am thankful to the people who created those as they have taught me to carry on.... We have to bring in collective diversity in our state and for that I believe we need the union of higher education, business opportunities and modern infrastructure. So let’s work together,” signed off Chatterjee.
Filmmaker Aparna Sen received the Lifetime Achievement award from former Chief of Air Staff, Arup Raha, who had won in the same category last year. Sen was honoured for her almost six-decade-long contribution to cinema, debuting as an actress with Satyajit Ray’s Teen Kanya and then as a director with 36 Chowringhee Lane. “If I hadn’t been an actress, I wouldn’t have become a director as the former taught me what to do, and, more importantly, what not to do,” said Sen when asked by co-host Suman De if being an actress delayed her chances of becoming a director. On being asked to choose the better actress between herself and daughter Konkona Sensharma, she said, “Of course Konkona! My primary work is filmmaking.”
Theatre veteran Saoli Mitra received the Sera Bangali (drama direction) award from another master of the stage — Bibhas Chakraborty, last year’s winner in the same category. “If you want to be honest as a performer on stage, you have to be honest in your life,” said Mitra, who attracted nationwide attention with her critically acclaimed solo performance in Nathabati Anathbat.
Samaresh Majumdar (right) received the Sera Bangali (literature) award from poet Joy Goswami, who was last year’s winner. “Writers are like mirrors, a narrator of their times, and that is what I have been doing through my works,” said the celebrated author some of whose major works in Bengali include novels like Uttaradhikar, Kalbela and Kalpurush.
Bollywood singer Arijit Singh was awarded the Sera Bangali (music) trophy by classical singer Kaushiki Chakraborty, who had received the same honour last year. The boy from Jiaganj in Murshidabad who went on to become one of the most sought-after voices in Bollywood — with hits like Tum hi ho, Kabhi jo baadal barse, Nashe si chadh gayi and The breakup song — attributed his success to his music training in the initial years.
Cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee received the Sera Bangali (film) award from last year’s winner in the same category, actress Jaya Ahsan. “When I read books or listen to music, I visualise the sights and sounds and that is how I express it in my work,” said the director of photography for Bollywood blockbusters like Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani and Chak De! India. His Tollywood connection? Sudeep was the man behind the camera for Srijit Mukherji’s Chotushkone. Pictures: Rashbehari Das
Part of the U-19 Word Cup-winning Indian squad, pacer Ishan Porel (right), received the Sera Bangali (sports) award from cricketer Manoj Tiwary. “I never liked clicking photographs or taking autographs from famous people because I always wanted to be that person whose autograph was sought by others,” said the Chandernagore boy, who channelled his love for speed into running on the pitch and bowling out top batsmen.
Sanjay Bhattacharya (right) received the Sera Bangali (art) award from artist Ramananda Bandyopadhyay, the recipient of the same last year. “Though work took me to Delhi, I am very grateful to Calcutta for making me who I am,” said Bhattacharya, who started out with sketching his favourite comic characters and would often set out from home early in the morning, armed with art paraphernalia, to paint images of his beloved city.
Ananya Chowdhury of Anjali Jewellers received the Sera Bangali (business) award from K.D. Paul of Bisk Farm, who was awarded in the same category last year. “I had started off with the gold that was given to me by my family during my wedding and named the shop after my mother, Anjali. Jewellery to me signifies empowerment, beauty and pride,” said Chowdhury, whose label now has around 20 branches in Bengal.
ABP Ananda Sera Bangali 2018 was presented by Parul Prakashani, partnered by Adi Akshoy & Company, JT Aviation Academy, Adamas University, Mukharochak, Senco Gold & Diamonds, Suraksha Diagnostic, Wild Stone, ABP Live, Desh Magazine, Arun Sign and The Telegraph; and supported by Dolphin School of Hotel Management and Jaquar Lighting
FROM THE SIDELINES AT THE OBEROI GRAND
Pictures: Rashbehari Das
