West Bengal government gave a 21-gun salute to legendary actress Suchitra Sen who died on Friday and was cremated at Keoratola crematorium in Kolkata. She was 82.
Sen died following cardiac arrest at Belle Vue Clinic. She was then carried to her Ballygunge residence in a coffin inside a hearse fitted with dark glasses and covered with floral wreaths.
The 'Mahanayika' remained virtually invisible to the public during the entire process.
Adequate security measures were put in place as hundreds of fans gathered around the medical facility hoping to get a glimpse of the screen-goddess who has been an enigma after she shunned the arclights and went into reclusion.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made the official announcement of her death. "It would be wrong to address her as a legend. She was a god," said Mamta.
"The passing away of Mahanayika, I feel in world of cinema and in Bengali cinema is a big and sad news. Such a talent is born only once and there is no parallel. Today is extremely saddening for us. We have lost someone important today," she added.
Banerjee, who rushed to the nursing home soon after getting the news and accompanied the hearse to the actress's home appealed to the masses to respect the wishes of the family to have peaceful and quiet final rites.
"Her family decided to perform her last rites peacefully and quietly. They have requested me to request all of you to remain quiet and peaceful. They seek your support and cooperation," said Banerjee.
The Keoratola crematorium where her body was consigned to flames was turned into a virtual fortress as a large number of people from all walks of life, including celebrities, had gathered there to pay homage.
President of India condoled the passing away of Suchitra Sen and said, "In the passing away of Smt. Suchitra Sen, the film industry has lost a highly talented and acclaimed actress who played memorable roles in a number of Bengali as well as Hindi films. She shall always be remembered by her countless fans for her versatile acting which brought life into the celluloid characters she played in films."
Suchitra Sen Biography:
Sen was the first Indian actress to win the best actress award internationally at the Moscow Film Festival.
Sen began her acting career with the unreleased Bengali film "Shesh Kothai" in 1952
Her other famous films included Bimal Roy's Devdas (1955) and Gulzar's Aandhi (1975).
In Bengali cinema, she took part in hits such as Harano Sur, Sagarika, Chaowa Paowa, Agnipariksha, Dweep Jele Jaai and Uttar Falguni.
She turned a recluse in 1978 after the failure of her film Pronoy Pasha.
Sen was married to Dibanath Sen, the scion of one of Kolkata's most prominent business families. She is survived by her daughter Moon Moon and granddaughters Raima and Riya.
(with inputs from IANS and ANI)
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