Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : Dakshin Delhi Kalibari, in association with Sur Alap Global Music Concert, organised the Poush Mela and Folk Festival on Sunday, January 18, 2026, grandly and vibrantly. The Event was organised with great enthusiasm at the premises of Dakshin Delhi Kalibari, transforming the temple grounds into a vibrant celebration of rural Bengal’s rich cultural heritage. For an entire day, the Kalibari campus resonated with the colours, flavours, music, and traditions of Bengal’s countryside, offering visitors a rare and immersive cultural experience in the heart of the capital.
The event showcased the rich and diverse folk traditions of Bengal, featuring captivating performances such as Chhau dance, Baul Sangeet, and other folk presentations. Eminent artists, including Sanjay Mondal, Jhilik Modak, Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Mintu Das, Sumit Das, and Sudip Roy, enthralled the audience with their outstanding performances, making the festival a memorable celebration of Bengali folk culture.
The day began with the Pithe-Puli Utsav, where women from different households showcased a delightful array of traditional Bengali sweets and homemade delicacies, reflecting the warmth and richness of Bengal’s culinary heritage. Parallel to this, an exhibition of handlooms, textiles, handicrafts, and traditional folk instruments was organised, with participation from various exhibitors, including a vibrant stall by SurAlaap, adding to the festive spirit and cultural vibrancy of the event.
Stalls showcasing and selling a wide variety of traditional Bengali pithas (rice cakes) and rural handicrafts attracted large crowds throughout the day. At the specially arranged Baul Akhra, visitors were captivated by soulful Baul songs from Birbhum, reflecting the spiritual and philosophical essence of Bengal’s folk traditions. The baul artists named Kalpana Hazra, Kalyan Hazra, and Shyamapa Hazra came from Birbhum, West Bengal. Adding further splendour to the festival was a powerful performance of the Chhau dance from Purulia, which enthralled the audience with its vigorous movements, vibrant masks, and storytelling rooted in folk mythology.
The cultural celebrations reached their crescendo in the evening. The second part of the event was graced by the presence of eminent, world-renowned novelist Taslima Nasrin, who presided over the proceedings. The program began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, a symbolic gesture representing the dispelling of darkness and the ushering in of knowledge and harmony.
A spellbinding performance from renowned folk singer Dr Sanjay Mondal further elevated the atmosphere. His soulful renditions of Bengali folk songs captivated the audience, leaving them deeply moved and enchanted. The warm applause that followed was a testament to the timeless appeal and enduring resonance of Bengali folk music.
Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary Shri Subrata Das stated that the primary objective of organising such festivals every year is to preserve the rapidly fading folk culture of rural Bengal and, most importantly, to introduce the younger generation to the rich legacy of Bengali art, music, and traditions. He emphasised that platforms like the Poush and folk Mela play a crucial role in keeping folk culture alive beyond geographical boundaries.
Earlier in the programme, Dakshin Delhi Kalibari paid a heartfelt tribute to CRPF jawan Shri Nigam Priya Chakraborty, honouring his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty. A valiant son of Bharat Maa, Shri Chakraborty was seriously injured during a terrorist attack in the Pulwama district of Kashmir, yet displayed exceptional courage by continuing to fight back, neutralising two terrorists despite being hit by four bullets. While felicitating him, General Secretary Subrata Das remarked that the nation sleeps peacefully because of the relentless vigilance and sacrifice of such brave soldiers. He expressed great pride and honour in recognising Shri Chakraborty’s heroism, calling him a true symbol of courage, patriotism, and selfless service to the nation.
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Sudip Roy, the director of SurAlaap Global Music Concerts, eloquently discussed the significance and conservation of Bangla folk music, highlighting its enduring charm in the face of modernity and urbanisation. He placed particular emphasis on music, especially folk tunes, over other art forms.
At the event, he remarked, “The traditional culture and heritage of our great country, passed down through countless generations, must be preserved at all costs. The artists, currently facing financial challenges, need support to ensure that their exquisite art form does not disappear with time, allowing them to live with dignity and respect. This is our primary mission.”
He continued, “A nation’s backbone is its culture—especially its folk culture. I pay my respects to those who are tirelessly working to elevate Bengali folk culture on the world stage. I extend my gratitude to all the members of South Delhi Kali Bari.” Sudip expressed his affection and appreciation for the work being done in folk music. He sincerely thanked the organisers for inviting him to perform songs from various folk traditions at the event organised by Dakshin Delhi Kali Bari. He also paid tribute to those who continue to nurture and preserve Bengali folk culture in a place like Delhi.
He said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Dakshin Delhi Kalibari Association, especially to Subrata Das, the secretary, and the entire cultural team. Without their support, we could not have achieved this success. Subrata da has always been a pillar of support for us and has consistently been associated with SurAlaap.”
Also read : SurAlaap Global Music Concerts: Workshop on Bengali Folk Music and Sundarban Culture
