Evening of elegance: 'Best Face, Best Dress Award Programme'

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Surely. However, beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. On the evening of Thursday, 21 November, as Kolkata's streets embraced the deepening dusk, a quiet magic took hold outside the gates of the Rotary Sadan auditorium on Jawaharlal Nehru Road.

By a quarter to six, the city's rhythm seemed to pause, surrendering to the charm of the gathering crowd.

Conversations floated on the cool November air—not as chilly as one might expect this time of year, a victim of the warming planet—yet still laced with the brisk energy of something meaningful about to unfold.

In the neon-lit twilight, a single signboard stood near the entrance: "The Statesman and the Dainik Statesman present the award programme of 'Best Face, Best Dress'." Its simplicity belied the ardent legacy of the institution behind it, a name synonymous with intellect, courage and grace.

For those familiar with The Statesman's storied history, the evening promised a unique addition to its repertoire. Founded in 1875, this venerable newspaper has transcended the confines of print, leaving an infallible mark on India's cultural and journalistic landscape. Its events are few, but each is etched in memory. The Vintage Car Rally, with its parade of automotive royalty, has for decades captivated enthusiasts, bringing names like Rolls Royce, Stude Baker and Morris Minor to life on Kolkata's streets. The Rural Reporting Awards, initiated in the turbulent post-Emergency years of 1979, salute journalists who risked their lives to unveil truths buried in India's heartlands.

Yet, tonight's event was not about vintage wheels or fearless storytelling; it was about redefining beauty and elegance, challenging stereotypes and celebrating individuality. The "Best Face, Best Dress" contest is a bold new chapter, a deliberate step into uncharted territory for an institution often viewed as cerebral and unyielding. The aim was to break down the false dichotomy between intellect and beauty. There is a pervasive notion that these realms do not overlap, but history and experience suggest otherwise. Grace, after all, is not just about appearances—it is about presence, confidence and a touch of the extraordinary.