Mangaluru: A photo-story exhibition narrating life and times of social reformer and freedom fighter Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was inaugurated in Mangaluru on January 13. The exhibition, which has 32 photos on display till January 20, shows life of Kamaladevi, her lifestyle, her associations and her achievements.
The exhibition is organised by the Mangaluru Chapter of INTACH. The title of the exhibition is ‘Kamaladevi Chattopadhay-An Extraordinary Life’. This exhibition is held at the traditional Guttu style house located near Hotel Janata, Deluxe, Kodial Guttu West.
The exhibition comprises rare photographs and biographical quotes from authoritative literature concerning Kamaladevi’s life. Kamaladevi was born into a Saraswat Brahmin family on April 3, 1903. She adopted surname Chattopadhyay after her second marriage to Harindranath Chattopadhyay, the brother of Sarojini Naidu.
She acted in the first Kannada silent film Mricchakatika in 1931 and Hindi films Tansen and Shankar Paravati in 1943 followed by Dhanna Bhagatin 1945. During the freedom movement, Kamaladevi worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and was imprisoned several times.
Convener of INTACH Subhas Basu told Newskarnataka.com that Mangaloreans should feel proud as Kamaladevi was born in Mangaluru. “She was the first woman who entered politics from Mangaluru and contested election. She also opposed India-Pakistan partition when the decision was taken by some other leaders including Mahatma Gandhi. She detached herself from politics after the partition of India. Later, she dedicated herself for reviving Indian crafts and for the welfare of the craftsmen community,” he informed.
