Refusing to tag all males as potential tormentors of women, celebrated singer Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta says violating a woman's self or body is rather the fallout of "Raping of our conscience, senses."
"When a woman is violated I won't bracket men in general as potential abusers and tormentors. How can I forget my father, my dada (elder brother) also happen to be males, can every man harm a girl It is more the beast within human soul getting uncaged which happens when all human ethos go for a toss and conscience is raped. And isn't violence common to both male and female species!" Rabindrasangeet exponent Dasgupta told PTI on the sidelines of 'Ratnagarbha' tribute to Mothers.
"I don't believe in slotting people and generalize incidents. We are all humans. What can be more important perhaps is how technology has dulled our tender feelings and made some of us selfish monsters," she said.
"But yes if our society respects women that equals to showing reverence to all Mothers. The society which cannot respect its women will retard and never progress far," Swagatalakshmi said after reminiscing about her late mother in Ratnagarbha - a tribute to the proud moms of Bengal.
Alik Sukh and Ichhe actor Sohini Sengupta, an acclaimed stage personality, said while "We are happy to felicitate our moms who have made us what we are today," everyday incidents of attacks and abuses haunt "Me and everybody else."
"A boy should be taught the way of looking at a girl, and not ogle, when he is very very young as that is important. And equally every girl must be taught to counter any abuses and mentally strong," Sohini, having earned praises for her role in Nandikar's modern interpretation of an epic, paired opposite mother Swatilekha and father Rudraparasad said.
Felicitating mother with Ratnagarbha title, Sohini recalled how despite her busy theatre schedules Swatilekha made her a self-dependent, strong-willed woman.
"My mother made me metamorph into whatever she was - powerful, irrational, passionate and fiercely equal.," she said.
Eminent Manipuri danceuse Kalavati Devi was felicitated as 'Ratnagarbha' by daughter Bimbavati with the daughter sharing how her mom once smashed the cellphone miffed over her longish conversations with a friend. "Genetically I am as temperamental as my mom," Bimbavati said.
Instituted by Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Shyam Sundar Co Jewellers, Ratnagarbha is the first ever initiative to show tribute to the 'Mothers of Our Leading Lights' from the fields of performing arts and others.
Chairman of Sports Development Committee of BCC & I Subrata Datta said, " Celebrating the achievement of mothers and daughters are very significant for a forward-looking society."
"Mothering doesn't end with just giving birth to the child," Rupak Saha, of the erstwhile Dhaka-based heritage jewellery chain SWhyamsundar, said.
