Stars light up Trinamool rally

KOLKATA: It wasn't just another rally laden with virulent speeches and frenzied rhetoric. The political component was overshadowed by a glitzy cultural show that featured a string of Tollywood stars, artists, poets and luminaries from the cultural world who made the dais their own before Mamata Banerjee took over. And unlike Left Front rallies where such entertainment would be a sideshow to help the audience warm for the more important function of speeches that followed, the first half of Trinamool Congress' martyr's day rally was dominated by the cultural part that was lengthier and more star-studded than any that the maidan has seen.
Actor and MLA Debashree Roy and actor-turned MP Shatabdi Ray braved the steady drizzle to put up a spirited performance that flagged off the rally. Even as thousands were filing into the waterlogged maidan, Shatabdi and her troupe swayed to "Aay re aay, lagan boye jay" . Debashree then had the audience mesmerised as she jigged to "Phule phule, dhole dhole" . She followed it up with "O akash sona sona" — a number from the Sixties that held the audience enthralled. A far cry from the CPM Brigade rallies where a couple of staid ganasangeet would wrap up the cultural proceedings.
Just as it seemed that the elements had conspired to spoil the Trinamool's victory party, the stars came to the rescue. Debashree and Satabdi's show was reason enough for the thousands who waded through the muck and the ankle-deep water to stay interested till Mamata Banerjee arrived. In fact, the rally resembled a musical soiree with the audience wildly cheering the duo, whistling and clapping away with gusto.
It was followed by a short performance by singer Nachiketa who belted out two numbers, including one penned by Mamata — "Firie dao go moner shanti" . Even after Mamata climbed on to the dais at around 2.30 pm, the stage wasn't quite taken over by her. Rather, she paved the way for more artists and stars who now delivered short speeches. Painter Jogen Choudhury started off by hailing the dawn of "a new era" . Ranjit Mallik congratulated the crowd for their enthusiasm and support for Mamata, while Sandhya Ray said the Trinamool has firmly stood by the poor and the downtrodden unlike the former government that failed the people. The trio was followed by artist Shuvaprasanna and actor Deepankar De. The latter asked the people to celebrate the "change and brace for all the beautiful things that were to happen under Mamata" . Poet Joy Goswami lauded the Trinamool leader for bringing an end to misrule and ensuring good governance.
It was then time for some more music as yesteryear star Biswajit had the audience swaying to "Ami takdum takdum bajai" . Shortly after he trailed off, reigning Tollywood star Deb took centrestage, much to the delight of the crowd. He didn't disappoint , belting out a popular number from one his films that didn't quite blend with the occasion, though.
In fact, Mamata, too, joined the long line of performers when she led a group of her party leaders for the national anthem. But few seemed to bother for the show made up for the travails of surviving the weather and the conditions at the maidan on Thursday. She didn't always stick to the tune, but the audience had got more than they had bargained for.