“Tubdi!” “Aashi te ei, toh athero te ki chhilo?” and “Buddha hoga tera baap!”
These were the reactions of GC Block residents watching one of the most adorable fashion shows in recent times. The show was held outside the Kali puja pandal, the background score comprised golden melodies of yesteryears and walking the ramp were 50 senior citizens.
Mr and Miss Calcuttas
Jayati Ganguly, 81, and Gita Das, 88, walked with tiaras on their heads as the loudspeakers blared the hit number Ami Miss Calcutta 1976.“I had broken my leg and a while ago and was scared about my balance,” said Ganguly, who had been a dancer and so displayed great stage presence. “I used to be a teacher and spent my life telling students to stay away from things like fashion shows. And look at me now!” laughed Das.
Dol Gobindo Roy, 82, looked dashing in dhuti-panjabi and aviators despite his walking stick while Prasanta Narayan Dutta reminded one of a young Soumitra Chaterjee as he strummed a guitar and danced to Ke tumi Nandini. A dress change later, he limped like Uttam Kumar to Ami kon pathey je choli. He swore this was the first time he had ever danced but the audience wouldn’t believe it.
Sneakers, not stilettos
It wasn’t just saris the ladies walked in, nor was it only Bengali songs that were played. Dipti Sen walked in Westernwear and shades to the song Gore gore galo mein hain kala kala chashma. Her catwalk drew lots of applause and a lady from the audience, Mousumi Roy, even blurted out “tubdi!” as others burst into laughter.
Some ladies sported dazzling salwar kameezes, long braided hair and did some bhangra to a Daler Mehndi chartbuster. “This is not my first fashion show, you know,” said Namita Banerjee. “I did a show in college back in the 70s. The only difference is shoes. We can’t wear stilettos like models now. I have a nerve issue in my legs and am walking in sneakers.”
Couple goals
The couples’ round was a delight to watch too. “I was reluctant to join this show as I thought people would laugh but it turned out to be fun,” said septuagenarian Kamal Simlai, who “rode” onto stage on an imaginary bike, with wife Smriti riding pillion. Their song – no prizes for guessing – was Ei path jodi na shesh hoye.
Sandip and Susmita De under an umbrella, swaying to Pyar hua ikraar hua
Vir Kumar Sethi serenaded his wife Savita with Aye mere zohra zabeen. “My parents dance even at home. They’ve won trophies for dancing too,” quipped daughter Rohini in between recording the duo on her phone.
Susmita De has been a dancer and was at ease on the ramp. “But it was the first for my husband (Sandip De). I give credit to the organisers for coaxing him into it,” laughed the lady who, with her husband, recreated the Raj Kapoor-Nargis hit Pyar hua ikraar hua under an umbrella.
Showstopper in walker
The showstopper was Arun Kumar Gupta, a young man of 99. Dressed in a suit, Gupta pushed a walker on the ramp, waving and smiling to the crowd that had got up on its feet to welcome him.
“I’m very excited!” he had said before taking stage. “And so is my 104-year-old brother in Melbourne. He’s asked me to send him a video recording of the walk,” said the retired electrical engineer. “I go for evening walks to stay fit and take it easy,” added the nonagenarian, currently busy watching the latest season of The Crown on Netflix.
“It’s been a delight teaching our senior citizens. Initially they were shy but by the end they blossomed,” said Susmita Das, who organised the show along with friends like Jhumpa Ghosh and Rupa Gupta.
“The township has plenty of senior citizens who have all material items they could need. They only thing missing is engagement or entertainment. This show has brought them great joy and they’ll keep reminiscing and talking it about it for months,” said block president Sujoy Saha.
