DILIP GUHA ★ New Delhi : Purbo Diganta Foundation (PDF), a prominent voluntary organisation based in New Delhi, celebrated its 7th Annual Day and Founder’s Day on Saturday, 21st March 2026, at the Godavari Auditorium, New Delhi. The evening turned into a vibrant confluence of music, poetry, and performance, coinciding with World Poetry Day. The event not only celebrated artistic expression but also reconnected audiences with the deeper emotional resonance of poetry and culture.
The organisation is the vision of Subhashish Gupta, Pushpol Banerjee, Arindam Mukherjee, Prabir Ghosh, and like-minded team members, and was founded with a deep commitment to uplifting marginalised children.
The Foundation is committed to empowering underprivileged children through quality education, artistic expression, and cultural exposure that shaped the organization’s journey. Through their tireless efforts, the foundation provided access to education, nurtured artistic expression, and fostered cultural refinement—empowering young minds to dream beyond their circumstances.
On the occasion, Subhashish Gupta remarked, “Purbo Diganta Foundation continues its commitment to social welfare apart from cultural initiatives. The organisation has undertaken significant efforts to support underprivileged communities, including the establishment of a permanent education centre for underprivileged children and a skill development and self-reliance centre for women under the initiative ‘Purvoday.’
Over the years, the foundation collaborated with various organisations and mobilised resources to serve marginalised sections of society. Guided by the belief that meaningful social change is achieved through consistent small efforts, PDF remained dedicated to building a more inclusive and compassionate society. Gupta expressed heartfelt gratitude for the enthusiastic participation and support of cultural enthusiasts across Delhi and surrounding regions, noting that their encouragement continued to inspire the mission.
The evening commenced with a solemn lamp-lighting ceremony, setting a dignified tone for a programme that seamlessly blended cultural pride with a spirit of social commitment. The dignitaries present on the occasion were Siddharth Bhaduri, Ujjwal Bhattacharya, Suprio Haldar, S K Palit and Atis Chakraborty.
The foundation’s own choir group enriched the atmosphere with a series of melodious renditions, presenting a repertoire of Swadeshi patriotic songs that resonated deeply with the audience. Among them was the evocative “O Amar Desher Mati” (ও আমার দেশের মাটি, তোমার ’পরে ঠেকাই মাথা), a timeless ode to the motherland, along with “Emon Deshti Kothao Khuje Pabe Nako Tumi” (এমন দেশটি কোথাও খুঁজে পাবে নাকো তুমি), celebrated for its expression of profound love for the nation.
The choir also performed a stirring Nazrul Geeti, “Durgam Giri Kantar Moru, Dustar Parabar He” (দুর্গম গিরি কান্তার মরু, দুস্তর পারাবার হে), adding depth and intensity to the musical segment.
The segment concluded with a rendition of “Vande Mataram,” marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic hymn and leaving the audience with a strong sense of national pride and cultural unity.
The evening featured heartfelt poetry recitations by the children of the Foundation’s Purvoday School, whose voices brought both innocence and emotional resonance to the gathering. Their performance included beloved Bengali nursery rhymes such as Agrum Bagrum and Hatti Mati Tim, which enriched the atmosphere with cultural warmth and nostalgia.
What made the moment truly remarkable was that all four young performers came from marginalized families and did not have Bengali as their mother tongue. With remarkable dedication and initiative, they learned these rhymes on their own and stepped onto the great stage with confidence. Their effort not only showcased the power of learning and perseverance but also stood as a moving symbol of inclusivity and cultural pride.
The cultural program featured vibrant contributions from the young members of Ichchhe Bitan, whose spirited performances added joy and energy to the evening. The children presented two distinguished poem recitations: Amader Choto Nodi by Rabindranath Thakur and Durrer Palla (The Long Distance) by Satyendranath Dutta.
Their expressive delivery honored the legacy of Bengal’s literary masters while engaging the audience in a memorable celebration of poetry and youthful talent. The performances underscored the event’s commitment to nurturing cultural appreciation among the next generation.
Adding further brilliance to the program, celebrated artists Didhiti Chakraborty and Naresh Nandi delivered special performances, bringing together diverse musical and poetic traditions.
The evening reached a high point with the presence of noted actor, performer, and vocalist Anirban Bhattacharya, whose acclaimed work across theatre, cinema, and music drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Joining him on stage was his Bengali rock band Hooliganism, widely recognised for its thought-provoking “Hooli gaan-ism” style that fuses music with sharp social commentary.
The band opened their set with the punk-infused anthem Pichiye Ja (Egolei Guli Korbo), delivering a biting, nihilistic satire on performative and cyclical politics, even taking aim at global figures like Elon Musk. The performance struck a chord with its critique of consumerism repackaged as identity—both individual and national.
They followed up with popular numbers such as Ek Minute Er Chumu and Pujar Gaan, further energising the crowd. Known for their bold and unfiltered sound, the band’s music remains deeply rooted in storytelling—capturing the rhythms of the streets, the voices of the people, and the emotions of everyday life.
The audience was swept into a frenzy of excitement, ready to ride the wave of a new cultural revolution heralded by the band.
The set also featured the evocative line, “Amader bokultalay bhir jomeche, dekhte jabo ami tumi,” adding a lyrical, almost nostalgic touch to an otherwise hard-hitting performance.
Speaking on the occasion, Naresh Nandi, an accomplished recitation artist with over three decades of experience, has highlighted the global relevance of poetry and the enduring appeal of socially meaningful verse on the occasion of World Poetry Day.
“I have been performing recitation for the last 35 years. I have performed in various prestigious programmes organised by government and non-government organisations in Kolkata, other eminent cities of India, as well as abroad,” the artist said.
The reciter, who also runs an institute of elocution titled Rupantar, noted a strong personal inclination toward poetry that carries a deeper message. “I generally prefer to recite such poems where there is a social message, and which I believe from the core of my heart,” they added.
Emphasising the importance of the occasion, the artist described World Poetry Day as “a significant day” and expressed hope that “the essence of Bengali poetry may be spread throughout the world.”
Praising recent efforts to promote poetry, the artist said, “In this connection, I really appreciate the venture which has been taken by ‘Purba Diganta Foundation’ on this special day.”
He further extended appreciation to the organisation, adding, “I congratulate and express my sincere gratitude to every member of this organisation for this great initiative.”
Kolkata-based poet and performer Didhiti Chakraborty described her participation in the World Poetry Day event in Delhi as a deeply enriching and memorable experience.
“I am a poet and performer based in Kolkata. I have been writing and presenting poetry for many years and have published four books,” she said, highlighting her longstanding engagement with poetry. “My performances are based on my own poems, which I bring to life through my voice and expression.”
Emphasising her linguistic range, she added, “In addition to standard Bengali, I also work with the regional dialect of Bankura, writing and performing in that language to convey its unique essence to a wider audience.”
Reflecting on her journey to the national capital, Chakraborty said, “Travelling from Kolkata to Delhi to perform on World Poetry Day was a deeply fulfilling experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to present Bengali poetry, including dialect, on such a prominent stage.”
She also expressed appreciation for the organisers, noting, “Being invited as part of the Purba Diganta Foundation’s seventh-year celebration is truly an honour. I appreciate their commitment to working alongside society and making meaningful contributions.”
Summing up the event, she added, “Overall, it was a rich and memorable experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it.”
Altogether, the evening unfolded as a seamless blend of sound, words, and artistic expression, making it a memorable cultural gathering for the capital city.
Photo courtesy: Raja Chatterjee
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