Kobitay Kathalap organized a two-day festival Kobitay Kathalap Utsav, at Gyan Manch. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Debasish Sen, Managing Director, HIDCO along with Dipak Ghosh, Professor Emeritus, Jadavpur University, Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya, Former Chairman, Coal India Limited, and Prof Chinmoy Guha, ace academician, and author.

Anupam Roy, renowned singer-composer and National Award winner was honored with the first edition of Kobitay Kathalap Samman for his expertise. Eleven renowned elocutionists namely Pankaj Saha, Jagannath Basu, Urmimala Basu, Rajat Bandopadhyay, Bijaylakshmi Barman, Saswati Guha Thakurta, Rita Bhimani, Soumitra Mitra, Ratna Mitra, Pranati Thakur, and Bratati Bandopadhyay were also felicitated on the occasion for their notable contribution in the fields of art and culture.

Rita Bhimani, Pankaj Saha, Saswati Guha Thakurta, and Rajat Bandopadhyay were present to receive the awards.

The first day showcased a Shehnai Recital by Hasan Haider Khan &Rupak Bhattacharjee, Abhoy Baje Hridoy Majhe, and a recital by Chandrima Roy &Team. Ace singer Srabani Sen presented Bondhujoner Gaan where she sang songs like Aaj Dhaner Khete and ModhuroModhuro Dhwani Baje. There was a special poetry reading session by Barun Chanda and Poulomi Chatterjee remembering the recently deceased souls Sankha Ghosh and Soumitra Chatterjee. The evening concluded with Mahishashur Mardini being performed in the form of Chhau Dance.

The second day showcased Mehfil E Mausiqui, a musical tribute to the courtesans of India by Ivy Banerjee, Chandrima Roy, Brishtilekha Nandini, Rupak Bhattacharya, and Allarakha Kalabhanta. Anindya Chatterjee presented Bondhujoner Gaan, and Srijato recited poems. Ekka Dokka and Bhuban Danga also recited poems.

Kobitay Kathalap Calendar consisting of16 pages (September 2022 to December 2023) was launched at the event. These 16 pages contain illustrations of characters from 16 famous Bengali poems such as Camellia, Bonolata Sen, Amalkanti, Runner, and others by renowned artist Hiran Mitra.

The event was hosted by Mir Afsar Ali.

Priyanka Dutta