The distinguished Indian economist, philosopher and Nobel Laureate, Amartya Sen attended the world premiere of a stunning new film, Colours Of Passion (Rang Rasiya) which was held at the London Film Festival yesterday (Oct 30). Written and directed by one of India's most acclaimed director's, Ketan Mehta, Colours Of Passion is the tale of the life and times of the great and controversial, Indian painter, Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906). It deals with religious intolerance and denial of freedom of expression by fundamentalists and hardliners - sadly a fact even today.The film features two of the finest Indian actors in the lead, with Randeep Hooda as the artist, with Nandana Sen as his muse. Nandana, who is the daughter of the economist, from his first marriage to Nabaneeta Dev Sen, an Indian writer and poet; plays Sugandha, a young woman, whose beauty captivates Varma and inspires him to create exquisite paintings based on themes from Indian mythology and classic literature. She becomes his inspiration...his love.
Amartya Sen, 74, who is world renowned for his work on famine, human development theory, poverty, political liberalism and gender inequality, received the Nobel Prize in 1998, "for his contribution to welfare economics". He was born in Shantiniketan, educated at Presidency College, Calcutta and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was also the Master from 1998 - 2004. He is the author of several papers and books including; Development as Freedom (1999), and The Argumentative Indian (2005).
He was also awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian order, in 1999. Sen, who is currently at Harvard University, will be arriving in London for the screening at the Odeon West End on October 30, along with other luminaries, the director, Ketan Mehta, and producer, Anand Mahendroo, and the two leading actors.
