Sub-Editor
“চলে যেতে যেতে দিন বলে যায়
আধাঁরের শেষে ভোর হবে…….
…একদিন মাঝরাতে রাতটাও ফুরিয়ে যাবে…..
…..আলোর জোনাকী জ্বেলে জ্বেলে
স্বর্গ আমার সাজাতে সাজাতে কত রাত পার হয়ে যাব”
With her elegance and charm the lady who has mesmerised the film industry for over 5 decades, the legendary Supriya Devi left for her heavenly abode this morning at her residence in Kolkata, following a severe cardiac arrest. Born as Krishna Banerjee in Myitkyina, Burma on 8th January 1933, she has left her marks on the industry throughout her lifetime and even after. A great dancer, a flawless beauty, an evergreen actress and obviously the ‘Kitchen Queen’, Benu Di has started her career from Uttam Kumar starrer Basu Paribar (1952) under the direction of Nirmal Dey and never looked back. Her portrayal of Neeta in Ritwik Ghatak’s Bengali film Megha Dhaka Tara made her the heartthrob of many young men. The list of hits given by her includes ‘Kalankini Kankabati’, ‘Sanyasi Raja’, ‘Sonar Harin’ and many more. She made her Bollywood debut opposite Dharmendra in Begaana in 1963.
Besides the Filmfare East Lifetime Achievement Award, she has been conferred upon with Filmfare Award and the BFJA Award for two times. In 2011, she received the Banga-Vibhushan, the highest civilian honour in West Bengal. In 2014, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for her contributions to the entertainment industry.
The immense contribution that Benu Di has made to this industry, her wholehearted dedication to work, her teachings to the upcoming actors and her delicious food, these are irreplaceable and incomparable. The Diva of Bengal, Smt. Supriya Choudhury, we pray for her heavenly abode. May her soul rest in peace.
