We’d love to come back

As Bengal gets its first woman CM today, what change do celebs with a city connect look forward to in Mamata Banerjee’s State?
Kolkata, for many who’ve migrated elsewhere, means a place of passionate people, who love a lazy pace of life and are as fond of their maachh and mishti as their michhil. Unprofessionalism and lack of time management skills are some of the regular allegations against Bengal.With Mamata Banerjee talking change to win the elections, we spoke to celebrities outside Bengal about what changes they’d want to see happening now. And, more importantly, is there anything that can bring them back to this city?
Ruskin Bond, Author
I have been to Kolkata only a few times. Kolkata is already the cultural centre as far as Bengali literature is concerned. To some extent, it used to be the hub for English writing too. I feel, it would be nice if the Government did more to keep the heritage aspects of the city in mind. It should continue to preserve the old monuments and historical buildings. I have visited the war cemetery in Bhowanipore, which has my father’s grave. That’s very well-maintained. I think, the Park Street grave too is well-maintained. But, there could be other cemeteries in the city that need to be looked after. Not just cemeteries, I am also talking about the old Bengali mansions in the city. It’s important to preserve things from the past.
Ritu Kumar, Designer
I have worked in Kolkata since the 60s. Back then, I would have to work with artisans from Serampore, Phulia and the other areas in the Hooghly district. I had also set up a hand blocking unit in the outskirts of Kolkata. Unfortunately, I had to close that down because of tremendous labour problems. That was in the early 80s. It was a very big setback for me. Though I am emotionally attached to this city and still keep coming back since I have a base here, I feel the new Government should immediately look into the labour problems. The excise department officials harass people. The amount of effort that goes into making a thing happen in Kolkata, can generate 200 times more work in a city like Delhi. Bengal has one of the richest craft areas of India, if not the world. The State has highly skilled people in the districts. The Government policies should be made keeping in mind the interests of these people. At a FICCI seminar, I had even discussed this issue with Amit Mitra. I am looking forward to a positive change, where labour issues are tackled effectively and there is more sensitivity towards the artists.
Begum Parween Sultana, Vocalist
I would selfishly talk about the change that Bengal needs to bring about in the field of Indian classical music. When we were young, back in the 60s, Kolkata used to be called the Mecca of music. If the Kolkata stage accepted an artiste, it meant he or she had reached a certain benchmark. I am not saying that today we don't have great listeners in Kolkata. But, my point is, where have all the music conferences gone?
Whatever little happens in this city is reserved for Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrulgeeti. I wish the new government, helmed by Mamata ji, ushers in a change of scenario where the classical music gets its due importance from the government. I have seen how directors and composers, right from the time of Salil Chowdhury, have shifted out of Kolkata. There has been a sense of deterioration and stagnation in this city. That needs to change and along with that the perception of Kolkata. I have a lot of expectations from Mamataji and am sure she will be able to resurrect and restructure Bengal.
Onir, Director
I remember Mamata Banerjee had made a statement at the Goa IFFU about how entertainment tax should be cut down for cinema since cinema is art and art needs to be supported by the State. She seemed to be talking from her heart, I hope she works towards it and doesn’t let the State stagnate. We want to come back home and make films there. But we need the support. I am looking forward to the revival of Bengal. I want Bengal to be perceived as a place to go back to and not a desert. It should be a place which has infrastructure, work culture and less of corruption and red-tapism. We also desperately need to spruce up Kolkata so it may be become a centre of learning, cinema and arts just like Pune and Bangalore.
Anuvab Pal, Author
Cities without change become relics, museums -stuck in another time, which can be beautiful for those tied to a certain nostalgia. However, it’s a nightmare for a generation of new India who are trying to march in rhythm to the country’s progress while everything around them is busy drinking cha in street corners complaining how nothing will ever improve. For Kolkata, today, much has been said for the need of external change- infrastructure, education, healthcare, clean water, new jobs. Equally important will be an internal change - a belief from all of us, and in all of us, that something new is happening. Only with that hope, and overcoming a pervading cynicism, can something new happen.
Bauddhayan Mukherjee, Ad film-maker
I would want a reverse talent drain to happen now. Like many others, when we had left Kolkata, there wasn’t much left for an adfilm-maker in the city. Many clients had shut shop, many headquarters had shifted out of the city, traders had taken over from entrepreneurs. There were no advertisers left in Kolkata. Today, when things are changing, and I would assume they are
changing for the better, I would want the advertising industry to spring back to life. May there be more
opportunities, more entrepreneurs, more marketable commodities and services, more industries, more clients, more advertisers, more disposable income. Hopefully, we will all come back one day!
Joy Sengupta, Actor
To begin with, there are certain things that Kolkata was known for. Bengal had a very high reputation in education. It was said that what Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow. People used to refer to Bengal’s universities and colleges. But, whatever education policies the Left Front government had, it didn’t work to the advantage of the State. To bring about equality in education, they downgraded the excellence in education. Teachers and students can be political. But now, every department in education is politicized. That’s very wrong. Today, if someone has to do well, he or she has to leave the State. That’s so unfortunate. Bengal was also the leader in industry once upon a time. But the trade union movement completely drove away the industrialists from the State. I don’t see why there has to be an either-or situation when it comes to developing industrialization and agriculture. Under Mamata Banerjee’s regime, I want both to prosper in Bengal.
Samir Chanda, Art director
Mamata Banerjee now has the company of people who are culturally inclined. I wish, she takes their help and sees to it that their suggestions get implemented while turning Kolkata into a peacefully and truly aesthetic city. Every time, we talk about Kolkata, people fear that the city will come to a standstill because of the bandhs and processions. This culture needs to stop in Bengal. People should not live in fear that working in Kolkata means having to face labour issues. If Mamata Banerjee can convince people to address this issue, I feel it will be a great job done.
Silver lining
somnath sen’s “Aami Adu” has won the Best Feature Film - Silver Award at the SAARC Festival. The director went to Colombo in the second week of May to attend the Festival. Somnath’s film, “AA” was screened on May 14. “I am delighted with the news,” says Somnath. Meanwhile, “AA” has also bagged the National Award for the Best Bengali Feature Film.