'Sharad Sundari' celebrates womanhood

Tollywood 'Diva' Rituparna Sengupta turned show-stopper at a unique event celebrating womanhood as Sharad Sundaris were feted by the city of the Goddess, days after bidding adieu to the daughter and her children.
"It is a unique show based on women's power, manifest in every woman, it extols femininity and inner strength in the most creative form," Rituparna, whose portrayals in films Charulata 2011, Muktodhara, Mukti, Chaturango variously depicted the issue, said.
As the 11 girls sashayed the ramp, to the accompaniment of dhak beats and recitations of Joy Gowami's 'Ami Sei Meye' (I am that very girl whom you worship, love and abuse and deride) by a well-known elocutionist, eminent vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan said the event was not just to raise the toast for choosing the most beautiful girl.

"More than the winner and other contestants it is our tribute to the 'Mother' in every household.
And it is amazing to see the poise, grace and confidence of the girls, my salute to all the women present," the Kolkata based classical doyen said.
Besides Ustad Rashid Khan, fashion designer Abhisek Dutta and Mrs India Richa Sharma, popular Bengali light classical and devotional singer Sriradha Bandyopadhya, and veteran lifestyle photographer Vivek Das judged the 'Sharad Sundari' in the first ever woman power show.
"The 11 finalists were chosen from different puja pandals and housing societies which turns magical at this time of the year, with the advent of 'Gharer Meye. We also went online this year," a spokesman of 'Shyam Sundar Sharad Sundari' said.