A Tribute to a Genteel Soul

On Sunday 31^st March, Dipen Datta, a person I deeply revered, expired in his sleep. A memorial service will be held at St Xavier’s on Wednesday, 17^th April, in the evening at 6. Cannot help but share my feelings with my readers, of whom many were well acquainted with this man of charm and feelings.

It took a while for the shocking news to filter in. The wonderful man was gone forever. Not the usual two-minute vanishing act of his for a quick puff. This time he was not to return. No longer would we see his happy, ever-smiling face. No longer would he be acknowledging our innumerable requests. To me, he played the elder brother role to perfection.

Dipenda happened to be a permanent fixture at St Xavier’s ever since he joined the school in the early 1950s. Hailing from a zamindari family of North Calcutta, he excelled at cricket in school, continued his pursuit at college and finally played for Sporting Union, a prominent Calcutta club side which boasted the presence of Test cricketers like Pankaj Roy, Ambar Roy and Subroto Guha among others. Later, when he and his closest friends represented the illustrious Dalhousie Athletic Club for years, they spread cheers all round. Many cricketers would surely agree that it was a pleasure playing with and against him.

He was asked to take charge of the Alsoc office – the association of former students of St Xavier’s Collegiate School – on his retirement from a very successful stint in the corporate world for the better part of three decades. He gave the Alsoc post a distinct reputation with his remarkable skills in man-management. Dipenda became the go-to man for everyone. He was a diligent listener; possessed an analytical mind and would always deliberate before taking firm decisions. His integrity was beyond compare.

A gentleman to the core, he was genteel and civil to all who came across him. Teachers and students, priests and peers held him in the highest esteem. The handsome man with a ready smile was too modest to understand how much he meant to so many. Last November when Xavier’s won the SLOBA cricket tournament, Dipenda had tears in his eyes. He hugged me and gently muttered, “Raju, today I am really, really happy after a long time. We needed this victory.” Never saw Dipenda in that emotional frame ever.

The dignified persona radiated warmth and happiness. In his company people felt relaxed and comfortable. Perpetually low of profile, he brought sunshine to the lives of many but never would he try to be in the limelight himself. With cricket teachers he shared beers at social clubs; enjoyed tarka-roti at dhabas; sipped cha on pavement stalls. He was at ease on all occasions. Every adda of Dipenda would include Xavier’s. He and Xavier’s were inseparable partners.  

To perpetuate his memory, the cricket coaches at Xavier’s have instituted the Dipen Dutta Memorial trophy for the Best Young Cricketer of the Alsoc cricket camp. Whenever I used to rag him about Xavier’s, he would smile and say, “Raju, I know very well that your heart feels just the opposite.” One day about five years back, while having lunch at Calcutta Club at Anupda’s invitation, Dipenda merely said, “If Raju Mukherji does not have time for Xavier’s cricket, who will?” That settled the matter. Egos and worse vanished into thin air. That’s my typical Dipenda, a person I revered and respected.

As a member of distinguished social clubs – Calcutta Club and Calcutta Cricket & Football Club – he was universally popular. The wonderful gentleman was an epitome of etiquette and elegance. A rare individual he was. Not once did he allow anybody to realize the distress that he had to endure throughout his entire life.

Once I drove into a ‘No Entry’ lane and was stopped by a sergeant. Thoroughly cool Dipenda, sitting beside me, smiled at the sargeant and said in his inimitable way, “Please do not fine him. Caution him. He is always in a hurry.” Honestly, I was dazed. So was the sergeant, it seemed. He too burst out laughing and gave me a mild rebuke, “At your age, you should not drive. Please hire a driver!”

Personally, I have lost my elder brother. I have lost a genuine well-wisher. I have a lost a matured guide. The slight stoop of his gave him a stylish gait. Not that he wanted to draw attention, but then he attracted people by his disarming smile and cultured voice. Never have I met a man with such a selfless approach to life.

 Dipenda, wherever you are, we know your soul would be at Xavier’s. Amen.