Here's the other side of our lawkeepers

We are so used to seeing them in uniform, managing traffic or crime, that we often tend to forget that they are men or women first — each with their own personalities, likes and dislikes and, of course, passions. And when it comes to passions and hobbies, the top cops of our city are no less human than any of us. Some have art and creativity running thick in their veins, while some are into various sports.CT tries to unravel the ‘other side’ of 12 law-keepers and found out how they still manage time for their hobbies.
Supratim Sarkar
Additional Commissioner of Police ( iii) who also looks after Joint commissioner of police (headquarters)
His was the brain behind those out-of-the box catchlines on the traffic awareness campaigns of KP like " Khokababu jai helmet kothay ? ", "Why this herogiri herogiri herogiri di ? " or "Niyom mene raasta ghate ey, jamon Sachin cricket maathey". And when it comes to penning the yearly theme songs for road-safety week or the anti-drug day, KP doesn't look beyond Sarkar, its in-house lyricist.
So, pen and paper have been your best friends?
Not really. My laptop and cellphone are. I de-stress by jotting down whenever something comes to my mind...blogs, songs, short stories… whatever, Purely as a personal outlet, not for publishing. Some I keep saved. Some I don't.
You penned a song for the film, Kadambari named Kaacher sure durer dhwoni joto...
That was an accident of sorts. Suman( a college friend from my Presidency days) Ghosh called me up one evening and told how Bickram da ( Ghosh) wanted a song with the typical Rabindrasangeet flavour written by a contemporary lyricist.He asked me whether I would give it a shot. I did. The time-travel back to that genre was interesting. Took me about an hour to pen "Kaacher sure durer dhwoni joto" at the dead of night. Bickram da's tune and Srabani Sen's rendition were magical.
Who is your biggest critic?
That is easy.My wife and my 12 year old daughter. They are the first ones to take a look at whatever I manage to scribble at leisure. They tear me apart if they don't like the stuff.And i start afresh ( laughs ).
Any future plans?
See, have been hardly able to write anything worthwhile till date. Have plans to start working on a novel sometime. And may be some research work on cricket which remains a lifelong passion. Time is a huge constraint. Let's see...
Solomon V Nesakumar
Deputy commissioner traffic
When he gets time escape the daily grind of managing the city’s traffic system, Solomon loves to spend time shooting his sports pistol. “We don’t have much of a personal life; we get very little time for family, so we try to make the most of it.” Here are the excerpts from the chat:
How and why sports pistol shooting?
I always had a passion for guns and have been shooting since my college days. I was also a member of the rifle club in Madurai. And since I always wanted to become a cop, I learnt martial arts and was one of the best shooters of my batch. In Kolkata, I compete at the Calcutta Police competitions. I’ve also joined North Calcutta Rifle Club near Belgachia to pursue my passion.
So you have competed at various national level championships?
I’ve won some state medals and have participated at National Shooting Championship at Delhi in 2015. In the National Police Academy, there are competitions for a number of prestigious trophies. In 2006, I missed the trophy, as my weapon got jammed in the middle of the competition.
Is juggling your work and your passion a tough job?
Undoubtedly; very tough. You see, shooting is a game of extreme concentration and once you get a call from the control room about any difficult traffic situation, it gets impossible to concentrate again. But yes, this is how our life is.
When did you first own a gun?
When I appeared in my school final exams and fetched good marks, my mother promised to get me a gold ring. I said, ‘No, I want an airgun’. So, my father, who too loved guns, agreed to buy me an air rifle. I still have it with me and plan to pass it on to my son and daughter.
Do you get time to watch movies?
Very rarely. I mostly watch Hollywood action movies.
Any other hobby?
I love bikes. I have a Royal Enfield and often take a ride to check my men on the road or my kids out on a ride.
Being a bike lover, which Hollywood star looks best on a bike?
Arnold Schwarzenegger, anyday!
Buddhadeb Mukherjee, Assistant Commissioner, Central division
Special Interest: Singing and writing poetry
A student of Burdwan University, Mukherjee had developed his love for folk music during his college days. As he told us, law’s curriculum could get very hectic at times and he would take recourse to music to cut through the pressure. Among his favourites are Tarun Das Baul and Pavan Das Baul. “I like Baul songs more than contemporary music. One of my favourite is Milan hobe kotodine, which I hum when in a good mood,” he said.
Partha Mukherjee, Assistant Commissioner, South division
Special Interest: Rowing
For the ACP, rowing gives him a sense of coordination which, he deems, a much-needed skill for his job. “It is a great fitness activity. Calm water is also known to refresh the mind. Your mind turns to positive thoughts. When I took over the charge of Lake Thana a couple of years ago, I started visiting Calcutta Rowing Club and made friends there. I saw rowers there and wanted to try it myself. We formed a team of three from our department and participated in a Kolkata Police competition in 2013, where we came first,” beamed Mukherjee.
Sudarshan Das, Assistant Commissioner, Combat Battalion
Special Interest: Theatre
Theatre has been a part of Sudarshan Das’ life since childhood. An active member of Banshdroni Shilponnoyon Committee, he is known as the lady-killer in the group! “I would not say that I have always been able to balance. Earlier, when I was posted in thanas, I could not devote much time to acting. Very few people in the department know about this facet of mine. I have also acted in serials and short films. When I have a show, I take off a little early, but I make sure my job is not hampered. It is my priority. There’s stark contrast between the job of a lawkeeper and actor, but I have been lucky enough to be able to do justice to both,” said the ACP.
Saugata Chattopadhyay, OC, Pass Section
Special Interest: Photography
“Street photography is all about telling stories, and also a mode of self-expression,” he told us. Saugata Chattopadhyay, born and brought up in Bajbaj, has always been surrounded by greenary. His connection with mother nature reflects in his photography. "Nature and natural elements have always attracted me. I draw a lot of inspiration from Bangladeshi photographers. Other than that, I also like to do street photography.” he added. Does he own high-end lenses? “Good frames can be captured through mobile cameras as well. You just need to have the nazar,” Chattopadhyay smiled.
Siddhartha Chatteree, Additional OC, Bowbazar ThanaSpecial Interest: Film making, Philately
A love for camera has always been a part of him. Siddhartha Chatterjee’s claim to fame is a popular short film — ‘Poroninda Porochorcha’ — he made revolving around Kolkata Police’s tenant laws. Chatterjee is an avid reader and calls himself a traveller as well. “To make a good film, you have to know all kinds of cinema — regional and international. Personally, I follow Goutam Ghose blindly for his unique treatment of cinema. Among actors, my fave is Smita Patil,” said Chatterjee, who is known as one of the most helpful person around among his subordinates. Also, he is featured in the Limca Book of Records for his philatelic collection.
Nirupam Dutta, Sub Inspector, Kalighat Thana
Special interest: Composing music
Dutta has always been a patron of music. He started dabbling in music instruments when he was 15. While studying law at a city college, he was the lead vocalist of a band named Ek Shalik. He has also bagged several prizes. Chatting over a cup of tea, he told us, "My whole department has always been very encouraging. Without my seniors' support, it would not have been possible for me to devote time to music. My last work as a composer was Mon kharaper gaan." We were in for a surprise when the SI started singing the song, while strumming deftly on a dotara. He also gave us a peek into his studio, which is packed with 15 different kinds of instruments!
Sukanto Paul, Sub Inspector, Chetla Thana
Special Interest: Chalk carving
Sukanto Paul has a rare talent. He can carve detailed miniature figurines and sculptures out of chalk sticks. Yes, the ones that are used to write on a blackboard. He developed this interest when he was a school teacher before bagging a job in the police force. “These models are very delicate and I’m very sentimental about them. As such, there was no inspiration as I had not seen anyone doing this kind of art till then. You can say, I discovered it on my own. My colleagues and relatives keep telling me to go for an exhibition. But my year-old toddler leaves me with little time to pursue it. Maybe, someday I will,” he told CT.
Arinindam Mukhopadhyay, Sub Inspector, North 24 Parganas
Special Interest: Writing poems, Editor of Brishtidin magazine
This cop maintains that his success in the creative field began after joining Kolkata Police. While he is follower of Tagore and Jibanananda Das, he also draws a lot inspiration from wife Mandakranta Sen, who is also a noted poet. “When I was in class VI, I penned my first poem. Works of Tagore, Jibanananda and Shakti Chattopadhyay are my favourites. Through poetry, I entered the world of little magazines and also produced one called Chokh. I also produce Brishtidin — a magazine where we focus on young talents and I am glad we have been able to launch a number of young talents,” said the SI.
Saradindu Tikadar, Tarffic Sergeant, Tala
Special Interest: Singing
Hostel life in Netaji Nagar College opened up a number creative alley for Tikadar. From Kishore Kumar to Manna Dey, this sergeant is a die-hard fan of classic Hindi and Bengali songs. With no conventional training to boast of, he has garnered recognition for his talent on his own accord. “My father’s influence has made my life culturally rich. The first ever gift from my late father was a copy of Sesher Kobita and it is still with me. Work pressure has come in the way of my passion, but my department is really supportive. Whenever there’s a function in our police camp, they definitely call me up on the stage,” said he.
Nilanjan Basu, Traffiic Sergeant, Gariahat
Special Talent: Music
He has a whopping 2200 songs in his phone. He considers his job a passion, and music, his lifeline. When Basu feels stressed, he likes humming romantic Bengali songs like Sei raate raat chhilo purnima. He also serves as the Pilot Sergeant for state invited guests. Said Basu, “I am glad that my department and colleagues have realised my potential. Not many are fortunate enough to have the privilege. I have performed in a number of Kolkata Police events and have received huge support and love.”