Bappi Lahiri introduced me to Bengal and Durga Puja: Ila Arun
I love Kolkata’s bhanrer cha, phuchka, and those iconic yellow taxis,” said Ila Arun during her recent visit to the city to attend a literary festival. Dressed in a blend of traditional and contemporary elements, Ila exuded warmth, grace and candour, as she spoke to us about her enduring love affair with Kolkata, cinema, music and more.
‘Every time I visit Kolkata, I miss Bappi da and Rashidji’
‘Every time I visit Kolkata, I miss Bappi da and Rashidji’
Recalling her Kolkata memories, Ila Arun said, “There’s something about the people here – they’re so passionate about life, art, music, theatre, and sports. They’ve shaped me as an artiste.” Being a foodie, the actor-singer has no intention of leaving the city without indulging in misti doi, sandesh, sukto, and chocchori bhaji. She also spoke about the fond memories she shared with Bappi Lahiri and Ustad Rashid Khan saying, “How can I not think of Bappi da? He introduced me to Bengal. I remember how he took me to experience Durga Puja – what a spectacle that was! I also deeply miss Rashidji. Bengal’s legacy of musicians is unmatched, and
I’ll forever be grateful to this land for its treasures – both past legends and the younger talents.”
‘Today’s generation creates their own music’
Ila Arun’s perspective on the evolution of music was refreshingly pragmatic. “Music evolves with every generation’s taste,” she said, adding, “But the classics? They’ll always remain golden and timeless. Take Choli Ke Peeche. It was a hit because of the orchestration 32 years ago, and today, a movie like Crew brings it back to life along with Vote for Ghaghra. Timelessness finds its way to the present, doesn’t it?”
‘Today’s generation creates their own music’
Ila Arun’s perspective on the evolution of music was refreshingly pragmatic. “Music evolves with every generation’s taste,” she said, adding, “But the classics? They’ll always remain golden and timeless. Take Choli Ke Peeche. It was a hit because of the orchestration 32 years ago, and today, a movie like Crew brings it back to life along with Vote for Ghaghra. Timelessness finds its way to the present, doesn’t it?”
‘Cinema will always be larger than life’
Talking about the rise of OTT platforms, Ila Arun said, “It has its pros and cons. The good part is that scripts are the stars, and age or looks don’t matter as much. But it’s also a threat to the magic of cinema halls. Watching a film in a theatre should never become obsolete. People watch shows on their phones. But cinema will always be larger than life.”
Quotes:
I have always found Kolkata electrifying and the people are really passionate. This city indeed has a power to inspire
I love the culture in Bengal. Even in terms of music, Rajasthani and Bengali traditions echo the rich heritage of these states
Pics: Anindya Saha
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