CREATIVITY IS PIERCING THE MUNDANE TO FIND THE MARVELLOUS. - BILL MOYERS
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
Bengali Tunes in Britain
Mr. Budhaditya Bhattacharyya (Dept. of Music, Durham University) speaks about Bengalis in Britain, one of the largest diasporas in the world today. Travel back in time to eavesdrop on the musical lives of some of these sojourners and immigrants.
PhysioConnect: Healing through Movement
On the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day, physiotherapist Mr. Manash Kundu, Bachelor of Physiotherapy (WBUHS), talks about caring for the body and dispels some rumours about the practice. Know about when one requires physiotherapy, and whether self-therapy is possible.
PAST EVENTS
Reflections of Freedom
On the 77 th celebration of Indiaโs Independence Day, our members gathered for a reflective evening. We began the special event with a video on the possibility of Bengal emerging as
an independent nation in 1947. The clip went back to the first partition of Bengal in 1905 and
recounted the reunification of Bengal in 1911. It then highlighted a proposition called the
โUnited Bengalโ plan, floated in April 1947, which asked for Bengal to be deemed a sovereign state. The plan was later overlooked, and Bengal ultimately came to be part of India. The video was followed by a short audio clip sent to us by one of our members, Ms S. Acharyya, who narrated an event early in her life in Bhaluka Bazar. During a turbulent time during the transfer of power in 1947, her family left their house amidst rumours of trouble and spent three months sailing up and down the Ganga on a budgerow.
During the post session discussion our members were happy about the history shared which many were not aware of. Many members recounted their own experiences during the
independence years. We closed the evening with everyone wishing each other hope and
prosperity.
Dawn of the British Raj
It was a walk down the history of India. Mr. Kallol Dasgupta spoke about how India came
under the rule of the British. He described how the East India Company started establishing
their kothi in various parts of India, how Kolkata then Calcutta, came into being. Fort William
in Hastings, Kolkata, had witnessed significant moments of history. The British clash with
Siraj ud Daulah the Nawab of Bengal. It also described the timeline of Sepoy revolt and
ultimately the transfer of power. The presentation was fantastic. The images of the Company Raj and of the Sepoy Mutiny along with the narration was praised by all. The event came to an end with a scene of the chess board from Satyajit Rayโs film Shatranj Ke Khilari signifying transfer of power.
During the post discussion session our members spoke about certain other aspects of history which was significant during this time. Everyone enjoyed this informative event and requested for more such events.
An Interview with Ms Anasuya Sengupta
An evening well spent with actress and Cannes (Un Certain Regard) award winner Ms
Anasuya Sengupta. She chatted about her journey into the world of films, her experience of
working on โThe Shamelessโ, her influences, and of course her big win. Ms Sengupta started
by recounting her life in Kolkata, her first foray into theatre, and her big break in musician
and director Anjan Duttโs โMadly Bangaleeโ. What followed was a move to Mumbai and a
transition to working behind the camera. Ms Sengupta said that working as a Directorโs
Assistant and as a Production Designer equipped her with a keener understanding of the
medium and helped her when she returned to acting. She then spoke her preparation for the
role of Renuka, a sex worker, in โThe Shamelessโ. Without the opportunity to do research at
close quarters in such a community, she did a deep dive into documentaries and literature
on the lives of sex workers. She felt a sense of artistic responsibility and was compelled to
develop empathy towards the character. She was aware of the contempt society has for sex
workers and wanted to portray Renukaโs story as humanely as she could.
After the interview our members, moved by Ms Senguptaโs story and anecdotes, expressed their pride and joy at her win. They questioned her further about her challenges and difficulties in portraying her character. The members then blessed her for a wonderful career ahead.
SE Clubs
NURTURING AND SHARING THE JOY POETRY BRINGS
"The crown of literature is poetry" - W. Somerset Maugham
Our poetry-loving members meet every week to enjoy the beauty of the verse. While some enjoy reciting poems by well-known poets, there are others who pen poems and are thrilled to dig out their long-lost poemsโpoems that they had thought had lost their value over the years. But we know that good poetry is perennial.
Watch TrailerCome and join us to express your love for poetry every Thursday. Time: 5 p.m.ย to 6 p.m.
TOGETHERNESS AND CAMARADERIE
Storytelling and connecting are the essence of ‘Adda’ or ‘Gupshupp’ as we call it. For our Gupshupp Club members, it is a time of unadulterated fun when they delve into their memories of yore or are in splits over someone else’s story or talk on pre-decided topics or even sing songs. The feeling of togetherness and camaraderie is what makes them look forward to each meet.
Members have discussions on pre-decided topics, chosen by all participants, the previous week.
Watch TrailerCome join us every Tuesday on Google Meet. Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Be Lit!
Organised every Monday 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the SE-Lit Club members have a most enjoyable time discussing different genres of literature in different languages, the culture and ethos of different cities, mythology and much more.
Watch TrailerCome and join our SE Lit Club every Monday
Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Let Your Hearts Sing!
Our Antakshari club members enjoy singing mixed with fun! They have to sing songs based on given prompts and retro movie clips or instrumental music is played and members need to identify the songs, the lyricist, music directors, the singers and so on.Watch Trailer
Join these exciting sessions to brighten up your Monday mornings from 4:45 p.m. to 5.45 p.m and enjoy your Tuesday evenings from 4:45 p.m. to 5.45 p.m
When Music is the Food of Life
Organised every Wednesday 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. members love singing songs of their choiceโdifferent languages, from films and otherwise, Rabindra sangeet, Nazrul geeti, Bhojpuri, folksongs and so on.
Watch Trailer
Organised every Wednesday from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.