https://assets.telegraphindia.com/telegraph/2022/Dec/1670844076_lead-12.jpgKolkata never rests on its legacy. It reinvents it every weekend with a fresh burst of art, conversation, food, and emotion. From July 11 to 13, the City of Joy offers a vibrant palette of events that cater to lovers of cinema, poetry, handicrafts, dance, and regional cuisine. Whether you are a resident or a traveler looking to feel the pulse of the city, this weekend holds something personal and unforgettable.

Art lovers can begin with a special two day handicraft popup at Artisana, the flagship store of the Crafts Council of West Bengal. This showcase presents rare finds like dokra pieces, intricate jaali work from Bastar, and home decor crafted from water hyacinth. The event is not just a shopping opportunity but a tactile experience of Indian tradition blended with modern design. It highlights the beauty of sustainable living through crafts that carry centuries of skill and symbolism.

On the cinematic front, Kolkata pays tribute to the poetic legacy of Guru Dutt, marking a century since his birth. The Kolkata Centre for Creativity is hosting a day long celebration that includes film screenings, panel discussions, and a keynote address by Professor Ira Bhaskar. The schedule will take attendees through Dutt’s body of work and its emotional and ideological foundations, offering a lens into one of Indian cinema’s most introspective artists. The event also features the documentary In Search of Guru Dutt by Nasreen Munni Kabir, adding a reflective, personal touch to the tribute.

For those looking to reconnect with artistic community spirit, Chaitown Community reopens this weekend in a brand new space. The evening events are filled with poetry readings, music, art displays, and a sense of shared discovery. It is an intimate, inclusive gathering that invites people to listen, perform, and unwind over cups of tea and shared thoughts.

The culinary world finds its own poetic expression in The Monsoon Tasht, a unique evening where food and verse come together. Organised by Paushtik Life and curated by chef Sayani Sengupta of Gooseberri, this dinner features ingredients rooted in regional culture and slow food philosophy. Alongside the dining experience is a soulful recital of Rumi’s mystical poetry, translated into Bengali. It is an evening of deep nourishment, for both the body and the spirit.

Dance takes centre stage too with Swing, Slide, Step, a jazz movement workshop that welcomes all levels of dancers. Conducted by a movement artist with roots in jazz and contemporary forms, the workshop focuses on rhythm, improvisation, and the rich history of jazz as an expressive dance tradition. Held at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, it connects participants to a style that celebrates individuality through movement.

Every one of these events reflects Kolkata’s layered identity. The city manages to celebrate the local while welcoming the universal, all within a single weekend. Whether you walk out carrying a handcrafted artifact, humming a jazz beat, or reflecting on a black and white film, you leave with something that stays with you longer than the moment itself.

 

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