Cultural events, fashion show, feast on hsg complex Poila Baisakh menu
Times of India | 16 April 2025
Kolkata: Housing complexes across Kolkata transformed into vibrant hubs of cultural celebrations as the residents came together to usher in Bengali New Year, blending community spirit with festive enthusiasm.
At many of the complexes, the day started with ‘Prabhat Pheri', in which women in white-and-red saris and men in dhoti-kurtas walked through their complexes or neighbourhoods, singing songs and performing dances early in the morning, setting the tone for the day's festivities. "Residents of Golf Green Complex, along with residents of nearby areas, took out a 300-strong Prabhat Pheri on Tuesday morning. Everyone was dressed in traditional white and red, and we organised a fun-filled musical march to welcome the Bengali New Year," said Tapan Dasgupta, Ward 95 councillor, who organised the programme involving Golf Green residents.
Most housing societies held the cultural events in the evening to escape the harsh sun. South City organised a musical evening, where residents as well as professional performers participated in a cultural programme. "Sticking to the tradition, we organised a cultural event with folk and Tagore songs. Our residents as well as renowned Bengali singers performed," said Manoj Gupta of South City.
Apart from a cultural event, Diamond City South held a fashion show, displaying saris of Bengal. Fourteen participants walked the ramp, where dancer Malabika Sen was the show-stopper. "We want to popularise saris among the new generation and showcase the beauty of the drapes woven by our Bengal weavers," said Shyamalika Chakraborty, cultural head of the residents' welfare association.
Community feats were central to the celebrations. South City residents had a scrumptious meal of traditional Bengali food delicacies, which started with aam pora sharbat and progressed to Basanti pulao, potoler dorma, dhokar dalna, beckti paturi and sandesh. Similar was the menu at New Town Heights.
The cultural programmes at most complexes saw enthusiastic participation from children, who danced, sang, recited poetry and some even performed skits on Bengali folklore. "The entire complex has been decked up. Adults and children alike participated in the cultural event. A popular singer presented a recital of Tagore songs," said Sameer Sharma of New Town Heights.
At Mallika and Malancha housing complex in New Town, the celebrations were not only limited to the Bengali New Year but also included celebrations of Bihu for Assamese, Vishu for Malayalis and Baisakhi for the Punjabi communities living in the complex.
"People from different communities and cultures live here. So we thought of extending the festivities to all such communities and celebrate together," said Kakoli Saha, a resident of the complex.