[tps_footer]It was an end of an era, when Suchitra Sen’s daughter Moon Moon Sen finally performed the last rites of her mother. Suchitra Sen‘s final journey was quiet an affair with the administration taking measures, honouring her wish of keeping her face away from public gaze.
The body of Sen, who passed away yesterday (January 17, 2014) suffered a massive cardiac arrest leading to her death at 08:25 am. Her body was carried to her Ballygunge Residence in a coffin inside a hearse fitted with dark glasses and covered with floral wreaths making her virtually invisible to the public during the entire process.
Adequate security measures were put in place to ensure that her body was smoothly taken out of Belle Vue Clinic, 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 arc lights and went into reclusion.
Even her house was cordoned off with heavy deployment of security personnel and only a chosen few including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a few of her ministerial colleagues besides the actress’s family members could pay their last respects.
Mamata Banerjee appealed to the masses to respect the wishes of the family and said, “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 co-operation.”
Inconsolable yet curious fans assembled outside Sen’s house hoping to get a glimpse of her face, which had captivated generations for years, but they had to remain content with paying homage from outside as a security ring was thrown around to prevent any access.
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.
Among all these, clad in a white shawl, Banerjee continued to manage things issuing orders to the police and others as she constantly consoled the bereaved family, including Sen’s daughter Moon Moon and grand daughters Riya Sen and Raima Sen.
The coffin-encased body was brought into the crematorium amid gunshots as the Tigress Of Bengali Cinema was given a twenty one gun salute on her final journey.
There was some anticipation among the fans and the public when the body was to be brought out of the coffin for putting it on the pyre.
Stars and technicians from the Bengali Cinema world, politicians, senior police officials and doctors who treated her were present at the crematorium as Moon Moon Sen performed the rituals.[/tps_footer]
