Mamata dedicates poem to filmmaker on his death anniversary

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and members of the film fraternity today remembered iconic director Rituparno Ghosh on his fifth death anniversary.

Lamenting that he had died "too soon", the CM dedicated one of her poems to the National Award-winning director.

"Fondly remembering filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh on his death anniversary. We lost him too soon....," she tweeted this morning.

A pictorial image accompanying her post read, "Ritu chole gechhe writuraj hoye pore achhe smritir pahar......Abar esoge phire Banglar Matir majhare(Rituparno was gone like a 'king of seasons' leaving behind a trail of memories...... Do return to Bengal soil again)".

Bengali film superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee, who had worked with Ghosh in many of his films, tweeted, "I don't remember you on a particular day my friend @Rituparnoghosh... it's always 365 days...And I know you are coming up wd (with) something excellent which will again take Bengali cinema into a different level...We all wait for you...Loads of love."

Acclaimed filmmaker Atanu Ghosh, a close friend of the auteur, said he was yet to come to terms with the loss.

"Since 2013, many a time I needed to check any critical point concerning film, literature or fine arts, I scrolled the mobile contact list for a particular number which I chose to retain. Actually you never get used to the idea of Rituda being gone, not only as a film maker or writer of excellence, but also as a scholar of rare distinction..." Ghosh posted on Facebook.

Recalling his association with the avant garde director, music composer Debojyoti Mishra said Ghosh had an eye for detail.

"Rituparno had a great command over music and an eye for detail. He is long gone, but I feel his presence every day," Mishra, who had collaborated with the filmmaker in several projects, said.

Ghosh, winner of 12 national and many international awards, had died of heart attack on May 30, 2013, at the age of 49.