CREATIVITY IS PIERCING THE MUNDANE TO FIND THE MARVELLOUS. - BILL MOYERS
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Happy Holi!
There will be no Friday session on 14 March 2025. We look forward to welcoming you next week.

Real to Reel: Arjun Sen and I Want to Talk
Arjun Senโs extraordinary journey of resilience and survival has inspired the globally acclaimed film I Want To Talk, directed by Shoojit Sircar and starring Abhishek Bachchan. Having battled cancer for nearly 30 years, he shares his powerful story of courage, endurance, and the will to live.
(For members only)
PAST EVENTS

Music of the Tawaifs and Devadasis
The second session in our two-part focus on the Devadasis featured an enriching talk by Mr. Rantideb Maitra, a music connoisseur and collector of rare gramophone records. He traced the history of the tradition and highlighted artists such as Miss Veena Dhanam, Miss Indubala, and Mehbubjan of Sholapur. Alongside fascinating anecdotes, we had the pleasure of listening to recordings by these maestros, all dating back to the first quarter of the twentieth centuryโwhat a treat! These rare gems sparked a wave of curiosity among our members. Their insightful questions reflected not just enthusiasm but a keen, discerning earโmany were already well-informed. It was an evening of music, history, and discovery, leaving us with a deeper appreciation for these lost melodies and the artists who shaped them.

Understanding the Devadasi Tradition
It is rare to meet someone as deeply rooted in a tradition as Dr. Yashoda Thakore. Our conversation with her was both enlightening and invigorating. She took us on a journey through the origins of the Devadasi tradition, revealing the fascinating lives of these women and their dedication to the arts. Alongside the historical overview, we explored the social perceptions of Devadasis and their place in contemporary artistic discourse. The session concluded with a captivating video clip of Dr. Thakoreโs performance, leaving our members both inspired and full of questions. Ms. A. Bysack summed it up best: โThanks to Dr. Thakore, we have received the gift of a lost tradition.โ

In Full Bloom: A Valentineโs Day Special
This Valentineโs Day, we celebrated love through natureโs most beautiful symbolsโflowers. Our special showcase featured blooms grown by our members, from bright marigolds to fragrant jasmines, delicate hibiscus, and the luxuriant bashor lata (Indian Clock vine). The evening highlighted how, like love, flowers thrive with patience and care. Following the showcase, members engaged in lively discussions about the joys of gardening. Conversations drifted to the rich flora of Kolkataโs Horticultural Garden and Botanical Gardens, as well as the cherished traditions of home gardens in Santiniketan, where nature and aesthetics blend seamlessly. The session left everyone with a renewed appreciation for the quiet, enduring beauty of flowers and the love they represent.
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.