There’s more than a nip in the air! It’s a perfect time to indulge in ‘pithe’, ‘puli’ and ‘patishapta’. And what if we tell you, you can dig into these traditional delicacies while enjoying the performance of National Award-winning singers like Iman Chakraborty and Rupankar Bagchi? Excited? Come December 23 and the city is set to celebrate the third edition of Kolkata Poush Utsav at Rabindra Tirtha from noon to 9 pm.
Presented and hosted by Link Up Media Ventures & Initiatives Pvt Ltd in association with WBHIDCO supported by Anandadhaara (WBSRLM), WBSCL, the three-day event will see artistes representing traditional folk music, songs and dances like Chhau, Bhatiyali, Baul, Santhal, and Bahurupi at Rabindra Tirtha. Apart from Rupankar and Iman, actress-dancer Devlina Kumar will also perform a dance recital.
Like always, Kolkata Poush Utsav will begin with the Brahma Sangeet rendition and prayer at Upasanaghar in New Town followed by a ‘pravatpheri’ to Rabindra Tirtha. Now, the organisers will ensure that you don’t miss the vibe of Santiniketan’s Poush Utsav in Kolkata through the fest.
Raajhorshee De of Link Up says: “Whenever we come to Rabindra Tirtha, it feels like we are at Santiniketan. For those who cannot travel to Bolpur for Poush Mela, this is the perfect event to soak in the festive fun.”
The event aims to encourage rural women entrepreneurs affiliated to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and artisans. They will represent their respective districts and display their products — be it handicrafts, upholstery, jewellery or home décor for exhibit and sale. “The festival will also see the participation of artistes who are last generation representatives of Tusu, Bhadu and Jhumur dance forms. It’s important that we keep our culture and tradition alive,” says Paromita Banerjee of Link Up Media.
Now, if you aren’t a fan of the traditional Bengali sweetmeats, then the fest has Christmas confectionaries too. You can try your hands on the delicious momos or the Kolkata style ‘aloo biryani’.
HIDCO chairman and managing director Debasish Sen says like Durga Puja, Poush Utsav, too, has the capability to get the UNESCO intangible heritage status. “Durga Puja got heritage status not for being a Bengali festival but as an Indian one. Poush Utsav, too, has all the ingredients of a mass festival. We mingle with people, bond over food and enjoy the fest for several days. Maybe, Poush Utsav, too, might bag UNESCO status someday,” he says.
Applauding the initiative for the third year at Rabindra Tirtha, Sen says HIDCO will set up a zero shop where customers will be offered a sustainable approach to shopping. “1,000 gallons of water is used to make a shirt. At our store, we will tell the customers not to throw away their used clothes but to give them to us and we will recycle them,” he adds.
