Celebrating 100 Years of Talat Mahmood: Kolkata’s Beloved Tapan Kumar

Date: 22 February 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: KCC 4th floor
KCC presents a unique audio-visual presentation on the life and legacy of Ghazal Shahenshah Talat Mahmood by Mahmood’s grand-niece Sahar Zaman, complemented by excerpts from her debut book Talat Mahmood: The Definitive Biography – an extension of her journalistic work involving deep research, analysis of history, fact checks, interviews and the art of storytelling of an iconic life.
Experience rare recordings and untold stories of a man that defined romance in Hindi cinema – from his early days as Tapan Kumar in Calcutta to becoming Bollywood’s first singing star!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Talat Mahmood: The Definitive Biography as Sahar Zaman’s debut book is an extension of her journalistic work which required deep research, analysis of history, fact checks, interviews and the art of storytelling of an iconic life. Her insights as the legend’s grand-niece and skills as a journalist give an edge to this voluminous tome that brings together an impactful narration to both personal and professional aspects of his life. It covers all highlights of his global concerts since he was the first singer from India to start world tours in 1956 and traces the Padma Bhushan legend’s legacy. The book has won two prominent awards: Popular Choice Award 2024 by Auther Awards presented by Times of India and JK Paper Ltd, and Biographer of the Year 2024 by Bollywood Film Journalists’ Awards presented by Power Brands. It has also been adapted into a theater play, a music show and a dance recital.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sahar Zaman is an award-winning television news journalist, author and cultural curator. She is recognized for her work in television, print and digital, for over 20 years as newscaster, news editor and features correspondent on prime-time news media across India's top networks. She is the Founder of ‘Hunar TV’ and the Chief Curator of ‘Jashn- e-Talat’.