CREATIVITY IS PIERCING THE MUNDANE TO FIND THE MARVELLOUS. - BILL MOYERS
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
SE Radio: The Music of Salil Chowdhury
Few composers could weave poetry, politics, and melody as effortlessly as Salil Chowdhury. Join us for a special SE Radio evening as we celebrate the music of a maestro who shaped the sound of the golden era of Bengali music.
(For members only)
Encounters in the Andamans
Join anthropologist Madhumala Chattopadhyay as she shares her extraordinary experiences studying the Indigenous communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including her rare and peaceful contact with the Sentinelese, one of the world’s most isolated tribes.
(For members only)
PAST EVENTS
Film Screening: A Valentine’s Day Special
To mark Valentine’s Day, we treated our members to a love story: Asha Jaoar Majhe. Directed by Aditya Vikram Sengupta, the film won two National Awards, for Best Debut Film of a Director and Best Audiography. A rapt audience watched in silence and responded with heartfelt praise, with Ms S Chattopadhyay describing it as “an extremely beautiful and tender film.” We chose not to break the spell with too much discussion afterwards. Instead, we quietly returned to our lives, carrying with us, and hoping to preserve, the film’s lingering mood of tenderness.
How Love Grows: A Valentine’s Day Special
For a change, we handed over the stage to our members for a discussion on love, and they shared insights earned through decades of lived experience. Some emphasised trust and understanding, while others spoke of the power of small gestures that nurture and strengthen relationships. As the conversation turned to companionship and cohabitation, Mr C Kr Ghosh responded to a note of scepticism by observing, “Living together calls for trust of the highest order. Only when there is deep love, and one does not feel one ‘owns’ one’s partner, is such companionship truly possible.” It was inspiring to witness the ease with which differing viewpoints were accepted. In these divided times, such exchanges offer a refreshing reminder of the value of dialogue and empathy, and, of course, love.
Behind a Wildlife Photographer’s Lens
For the first time in these sessions, our members were treated to a photo narrative, as wildlife photographer Mr Avisek Mitra took them through a selection of his favourite images. As he led our elders behind the lens, everyone marvelled at the patience and skill required to capture the perfect shot. His stunning photographs of leopards, his favourite subject, left a lasting impression. Ms M Paul echoed everyone’s sentiments when she said, “This session was far too short! One hour is not enough to enjoy such wonderful pictures.” We hope to arrange another evening with Mr Mitra very soon.
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 poems—poems 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. 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 choice—different 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.

