Actress Kabori's memoirs draw huge crowd at Ekushey Book Fair

Legendary actress Sarah Begum Kabori's memoirs 'Smriti Tuku Thaak' have elicited a massive response at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 25 Feb 2017, 08:19 PM
Updated : 25 Feb 2017, 08:20 PM

Kabori's debut as a writer through the launch of the book published by bdnews24 publishing house (bpl) took place on Saturday.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon surprised the launch ceremony with his presence.

Moony about Kabori, the student leader of the 1960s recalled, "Kabori was the heartthrob of our time. We still carry memories of what she symbolised for our generation."

The actress walked down to the bpl stall across the street at the Bangla Academy section of the fair following the launch of the book at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Former law minister Moudud Ahmed was among those who turned up to buy the book.

When Kabori was a lawmaker from the Awami League, BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud was also in Parliament, but in the opposition.

After getting Kabori's autograph on the book, Moudud and the writer conversed for some time.  

Kabori recalled Moudud's marriage ceremony. "It was me who dressed Hasna (Moudud's wife and Palli Kabi Jasimuddin's daughter) in her wedding saree," Kabori recalled.

Watching Kabori's spellbinding smile, one Habibullah Shaheen from Pallabi murmured to himself: "That smile of the sweet maiden...it is still there."

He and his daughter Nafisa Habib were delighted to see Kabori at the Book Fair.

Habibullah came to the programme, relating stories about Kabori to his daughter.

"I went to a cinema hall for the first time with my elder sister when I was a student of Tomaltola Primary School in Sirajganj. I watched many movies of the Razzak-Kabori pair after that," he told bdnews24.com.

Habibullah said he also admired the politician Kabori. His evaluation was: "She did politics honestly. That's why my affection to her grew more."

Kabori came to the Suhrawardy Udyan section of the fair after 4pm and walked to the book launch ceremony, with a huge crowd of fans following her.

Before the unveiling of the cover of the book, a large crowd gathered around the actress. Many wanted to take snapshots with their favourite actress while many others simply wished to have a word with her.

After the launch ceremony, Kabori visited the bpl stall. Her presence caused a big crowd to descend on the place. She also gave autographs to the enthusiastic readers there.

Her bridging of the generation gap was clearly visible in the enthusiasm of the crowds.

UITS students Rony, Rifat, and Sara bought copies of their teacher's work.

"I've lost count how many times I have watched Rangbaz and Sareng Bou," Sara said. 

Little girl Nabila from Mirpur heard songs lisped by Kabori from her mother. She was very delighted to see in person the idol she once saw on screen.

Nirjhara Barua Sima was overjoyed as Kabori pulled the girl into her lap.

"She (Kabori) told me that I am very naughty...and said I have a sharp look," she said.

As a spokesperson of bpl, publishers of the actress’ memoirs, would have us know, the first movie in which Kabori acted and which assured her a place in the history of Bengali cinema was Shutorang in 1964. Then a teenager, Kabori was picked by the renowned auteur Subhas Dutta. The book will also contain some rare photographs of the legendary actress coupled with a number of anecdotes she relates about her life and career.

Of Smriti Tuku Thaak, the poet Nirmalendu Goon writes, “While going through the manuscript of the memoirs of the legendary actress Kabori; I was struck by the thought that I was reading the autobiography of a poet.”

Quoting the poet, bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi said at the book launch, "I have nothing more to say."

"This writing of actress Kabori is not only about her life, it's also an authentic document of the struggle for the cultural freedom of East Bengal, the struggle of Bangla cinema to be free of the influence of Pakistani cinema," Khalidi said, again quoting from Goon, "We hope you will read the book."