KOLKATA: Ahead of Ray’s 105th birth anniversary, some of his actors and crew recalled their experience of working with the legend at an event on Monday, organised by the British Deputy High Commission and the UK’s Bengali diaspora. “It’s a belated celebration of the Bengali New Year. Since we are closer to Ray’s birthday (May 2), it was most appropriate to felicitate Feluda’s Topshe, Siddhartha Chatterjee. The greatest proof of Ray’s relevance is that youngsters are still watching Sonar Kella (which turns 52 this year),” said Anirban Mukhopadhyay of the UK-based diaspora organisation Heritage Bengal Global Connect. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India, said: “As we celebrate Satyajit Ray’s timeless Sonar Kella, we are reminded of the strong living bridge between Bengal and the UK. Initiatives like these by Heritage Bengal Global Connect are vital in strengthening these people-to-people links, which sit naturally alongside the ambitions of the UK-India Vision 2035—bringing culture, commerce and collaboration closer than ever.” Sitting beside him at the British Club was “Topshe”, who has aged gracefully: “My experience working with jethu (Satyajit Ray) was great. One had to meet him to know what he was made of. After Sonar Kella, I frequently visited him because I started enjoying his company. There are so many things I remember about him, like never speaking a word in Bengali when he was speaking English and vice versa. I don’t think I can refuse any occasion related to Ray.” Thespian Ashok Mukherjee (85), who acted in Sonar Kella, said, “We live in the Ray era. After Tagore, he was the greatest flag bearer of the Bengali cultural arena.”
