Archive · 2 Sep 2026
West Bengal Announces Four-Day Celebration for Uttam Kumar Centenary
West Bengal is planning a four-day festival to celebrate actor Uttam Kumar’s 100th birth anniversary.
The festival will begin on September 3, his birthday, and continue until September 6.
People will place flowers at important locations connected with his life.
Films starring Uttam Kumar will be shown in cinemas and cultural venues.
Exhibitions will display material about the famous actor.
Older artistes who worked with him will receive special honors.
The state will also begin building a film centre named after him.
The festival will end with music, dancing and activities for fans across Kolkata.
West Bengal announced a four-day celebration of Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary from September 3 to 6.
The program includes floral tributes, exhibitions, film retrospectives, discussions, performances and a citywide LED-van campaign.
The foundation stone of the Uttam Kumar Film Centre will be laid in New Town on Friday.
Veteran artistes who worked with Uttam Kumar will be felicitated, and India Post will release a commemorative cover and postage stamp.
The celebrations will conclude with a music-and-dance event at Rabindra Sadan and a Mahanayak-Mahanayika couple competition.
- Who
- The Government of West Bengal, cultural officials, film artistes and Uttam Kumar’s family are organizing the celebration.
- What
- A four-day birth-centenary celebration featuring tributes, exhibitions, film screenings, discussions, performances and honours.
- When
- September 3 to 6; the announcement was made on Tuesday.
- Where
- Kolkata venues including Nandan, Rabindra Sadan, Sisir Mancha, Ahiritola, Tollygunge and Radha Studio, with the film centre planned for New Town.
- Why
- To commemorate actor Uttam Kumar and introduce his work to a new generation.
- Celebration dates
- September 3–6
- Opening tribute
- Floral tributes will be paid at Ahiritola and Tollygunge.
- Film centre
- The Uttam Kumar Film Centre’s foundation stone will be laid in New Town; it is planned to include a 1,000-seater auditorium and an open-air theatre.
- Retrospective opening film
- Satyajit Ray’s Nayak
- Honours
- Veteran artistes who worked with Uttam Kumar will be felicitated at Rabindra Sadan.
- Postal commemoration
- India Post will release a commemorative cover and postage stamp.
- Public campaign
- Five vans with LED screens showing clips from Uttam Kumar films will travel across the city.