This weekend, Kolkata has many must-attend events. Visit an exhibition that delves into the history of printmaking in Bengal, showcasing a compelling narrative of images that have influenced perceptions of identity and the environment. Sign up for an immersive workshop to explore India’s ancient tempera painting tradition using natural pigments and earth colours. Don't miss the highly anticipated Naad Festival of Music and Dance, which celebrates classical music. Check out a play based on the travels of the celebrated writer Mark Twain to India in 1897. There’s so much to do in Kolkata this weekend, and Outlook Traveller has rounded up some of the best ones.
The Kolkata People’s Film Festival (KPFF) is a community-supported, independent, and volunteer-led event that showcases contemporary political documentaries and fiction films from India and South Asia. The 11th edition of KPFF will feature 38 films that tell a diverse array of compelling stories from the region. The festival aims to explore common themes such as labour and migration, social movements, cultural conflicts, struggles related to caste, gender, and ethnicity, as well as overlooked historical narratives.
The Information
Where: Mahanayak Uttam Mancha, 10/1/1, Manohar Pukur Rd, Hazra, Kalighat, Zilla, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026
When: March 20-23, 10 am to 9 pm
For more details, visit www.ourcinema.in/festival.
The history of printmaking in Bengal is a compelling narrative of images that shaped perceptions of identity and environment. An exhibition titled "From Prayer Rooms to Parlours: The Legacy of Bengal’s Popular Prints" will showcase chromolithographs and oleographs from Kolkata’s print studios, which decorated middle-class homes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Central to the exhibition is the collection of Sanjit Choudhury, who has preserved a vital part of Bengal’s visual history.
The print industry evolved from indigenous traditions like Battala woodcuts and Kalighat pats. Battala prints, known for their narrative richness despite rough execution, laid the groundwork for the more refined chromolithographs that define Bengal’s visual culture today. This exhibition not only provides a historical overview but also invites us to reconsider the significance of popular prints in Bengal’s artistic and social landscape. Once viewed as mere ephemera, they now stand as enduring witnesses to a world that lives on through memory and imagery.
The Information
When: March 8, 5-7 pm
Where: Galerie 88, 28-B, Shakespeare Sarani Rd, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
Sign up for an immersive workshop to explore India’s ancient tempera painting tradition using natural pigments and earth colours. Led by renowned artist Saumen Khamrui, who has participated in numerous prestigious group exhibitions in India and abroad, this workshop will teach you traditional techniques, how to mix your own pigments, and how to create a finished artwork under expert guidance. By the end, you will have created your own tempera painting from start to finish.
When: March 22, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Kolkata Centre for Creativity, Dipak Road, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Anandapur, Adarsha Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107, India
This weekend, see the highly anticipated Naad Festival of Music and Dance – Season 4, celebrating classical and Sufi music over three days. The festival features acclaimed Kathak dancer Aditi Mangaldas, sarod virtuoso Amaan Ali Bangash, tabla maestro Anubrata Chatterjee, flutist Pravin Godkhindi, and maestro Bickram Ghosh.
Mark your calendars for this cultural event that promises to inspire and uplift, inviting music and dance enthusiasts to enjoy a rich tapestry of sound and movement.
The Information
When: March 21 to 23, 6 pm onwards
Where: GD Birla Sabhaghar, 29, Ashutosh Choudhry Avenue, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
For more details, check out BookMyShow
Did you know the celebrated writer Mark Twain travelled to India in 1897? This was during the British Raj when he wrote about his observations of the country. This weekend, you can enjoy a play, titled "Mark Twain: Live in Bombay," about his time in Mumbai. This delightful theatrical production is presented by Rikh and Padatik Theatre, written by Gabriel Emanuel, and directed and performed by Vinay Sharma.
In 1895, the famous American humourist Twain was nearly broke. He set sail around the globe to recover his losses, with India being the highlight of his journey. Based on his writings and travels, the play aims to recreate his historic lecture at Bombay's Novelty Theatre in 1896, featuring witty, satirical, and relevant storytelling.
The Information
When: March 22, 6 pm
Where: Kolkata Centre for Creativity, Dipak Road, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Anandapur, Adarsha Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107
In anticipation of Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year celebrated in April, Syuti Shaili will host their highly anticipated annual exhibition this weekend. This event promises to be a captivating showcase of India’s rich textiles and handicrafts tradition. Visitors can expect an exquisite array of handcrafted textiles, carefully curated regional crafts from various handloom brands, and remarkable works from artisans and craft clusters from different parts of India.
When: March 21 to 23, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Thyagaraja Hall, P-530, Raja Basanta Roy Rd, Hemanta Mukherjee Sarani, lake Terrace, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029
