Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, noto popolarmente come Netaji (che significa leader in hindi), fu uno dei riformisti più importanti del Movimento per l'indipendenza indiana. L'edificio che oggi è conosciuto come Netaji Bhavan era un tempo la residenza del riformista. Gestita dal Netaji Research Bureau, l'antica struttura tipo bungalow ospita un museo, gli archivi e la biblioteca del Bureau. Il museo è suddiviso in varie sale, ognuna delle quali illustra alcune fasi della vita del leader. All'ultimo piano sono esposte fotografie e documenti della vita e delle opere di Subhash Chandra Bose, disposti in ordine cronologico. La biblioteca e gli archivi comprendono collezioni complete sul movimento per l'indipendenza dell'India. Il Netaji Bhavan dispone anche di un auditorium chiamato Sarat Bose Hall, utilizzato per eventi come conferenze e seminari. Situato sulla Elgin Road, di fronte al Forum Mall, è un luogo da visitare assolutamente se siete interessati a conoscere come si sviluppò la lotta per la libertà dell'India.
L'iconico Victoria Memorial, un edificio bianco e immacolato realizzato esclusivamente in marmo di Makrana, è immerso tra prati verdeggianti e gruppi di palme ondeggianti. Costruito come tributo alla regina Vittoria d'Inghilterra, questo magnifico edificio è uno dei più bei monumenti della città di Calcutta. Questo maestoso edificio è ricco di storia: Lord Curzon, viceré dell'India, decise di costruire un monumento commemorativo grandioso e regale come la Regina stessa. Situato lungo le rive del fiume Hooghly, il memoriale comprende splendidi giardini, piscine color smeraldo, un museo, statue e busti di importanti personaggi inglesi e indiani. Un fatto importante da notare è che principi e cittadini indiani contribuirono generosamente ai fondi per la costruzione del Victoria Memorial che costò circa 10.500.000 rupie indiane dell’epoca. Enormi pilastri scolpiti, cupole di marmo dai motivi intricati e alte torri testimoniano la maestria degli artigiani indiani che hanno svolto un ruolo fondamentale nella realizzazione dell'edificio. Le gallerie e il museo ospitano cimeli britannici, tra cui dipinti, sculture e oggetti che raccontano eventi importanti della vita della Regina, dalla cerimonia di incoronazione al suo periodo regnante. Oltre questo, il museo custodisce la spada del coraggioso principe e guerriero Tipu Sultan e cannoni che ricordano la battaglia di Plassey. Le parole o una fotografica non rendono giustizia all'opulenza e alla grandezza del Victoria Memorial, un sito che ha catturato i cuori, le anime e l'immaginazione di molti.
Yuva Bharati Krirangan (which roughly translates to Indian Youth Stadium) is also known as the Salt Lake Stadium and at approximately 76 acres, it happens to be the second largest of its kind in the world and the largest in India. Established in 1984, the stadium is primarily associated with Football and plays host to the city's various clubs like Mohun Bagan AC, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan SC and is also occasionally used for home games played by the Indian national football team. Locals have always been passionate about the game and turn up in huge numbers to support their side. Apart from soccer, the facility also has an Olympic-class athletics track and practice areas for cricket, khokho and volleyball as well. The elliptical stadium has a three tiered seating arrangement that can hold upto 1, 20, 000 people and has deployed state-of-the-art facilities so as to ensure the absolute best in sporting experience.
One of the prime cultural and entertainment hubs in the city, Rabindranath Tagore Centre - ICCR is the venue for a number of fascinating events and exhibitions. Founded in 1950, the complex comprises an art gallery, an auditorium, a library and a conference center. From modern dramas, cultural plays and classical concerts, to awe-inspiring works of art, there is more than one way to seek entertainment at this remarkable cultural center.
Costruita nel XVIII secolo, Jorasanko Thakur Bari fu il luogo in cui nacque il famoso scrittore Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. L'edificio si trova all'interno del campus dell'Università Rabindra Bharti, pertanto il college organizza programmi culturali ed eventi in occasione del compleanno del poeta, nonché spettacoli di luci e suoni che illustrano la vita della famiglia Tagore nella casa. La bella casa di colore rosso fu riportata alla sua forma originale e trasformata in un museo dove i visitatori possono documentarsi sullo stile di vita della famiglia Tagore nel XIX e XX secolo.
What started as a small room loaned from the Indian Museum in 1933 has proceeded to become a foundation for exploring art in the center of the city. Located next to the Birla Planetarium and near Victoria Memorial, the Academy of Fine Arts shares its creative passion in the form of exhibitions spanning a multitude of expressions of art. The permanent galleries within the Academy include the Contemporary Art Gallery, Old Textile Gallery, Old Carpet Gallery, Miniature Gallery and the Rabindra Gallery which has Rabindranath Tagore's original writings, manuscripts and paintings. A big auditorium housed inside is known to host a variety of cultural programs, theater etc. Training programs and art classes are also held regularly. Around the main building, a number of interesting sculptures are sure to pique your interest. Do check the local paper or inquire with the office for current event schedules.
The Janus Art Gallery is one of the best art galleries in Kolkata and also in India. It has numerous collections of contemporary paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and illustrations. It has a committee of senior artists who help in getting authentication of works. This art gallery presents four exhibitions every year. It is primarily concerned with presenting visual art but sometimes hosts other activities as well. This art gallery takes a lot of pride in encouraging budding artists in order to get quicker recognition of their works. Visitors are also allowed to buy any of the art piece. They have a variety of options to choose from such as fine art, abstract art, landscape art, fantasy art and wall art.
Sailen Manna Stadium also known as Howrah Municipal Corporation Stadium is named after Kolkata's most popular football legend Sailendra Nath Manna. The stadium was primarily opened to host football matches but soon turned into multipurpose stadium, hosting local, regional and international tournaments. Among the many tournaments held here one of the important tournaments was held in 2006 and the fixture was between the teams of Asian Football Youth Championship Club. The Howrah Rugby Crows play their home fixtures here.
One of the most popular contemporary art galleries in the city, Galerie 88 is where you will find a number of intriguing works of art by local artists. Featuring a fabulous array of paintings by renowned and upcoming artists, this gallery offers a visual and aesthetic treat for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Apart from its permanent exhibits, a number of workshops and temporary exhibitions are also hosted here, which usually feature works by young, talented artists from across the country.
Emami Chisel Art is home to a numerous collection of fabulous works by renowned artists from across the country. Focused on traditional Indian artwork, the walls of this gallery are lined with fascinating portraits depicting various aspects of Indian culture and traditions. Boasting works by artists such as Amit Ambalal, Sushanta Mondal and Madhubanti Chatterjee, this gallery exhibits some of the finest pieces of art in the country. Regular workshops and exhibitions offer budding artists a platform to showcase their talent as well as enables interaction between art enthusiasts and established artists.
Art and culture have always played an important role in Kolkata’s past and continue to do so even today. Keeping the passion alive, Nazrul Mancha is one of the most prominent event venues in the city. Situated in Rabindra Sarobar, the auditorium is most famous as the locale for Dover Lane Music Festival, a week long event dedicated to Indian and Carnatic Classical Music and held every January. For the rest of the year, the venue hosts various local and international events including dance and musical soirees, college functions as well as conferences and auditions. The large auditorium has a semi-circular stage and a seating capacity of approximately 3000. Regular performances by Bengali rock bands and other Indian groups make this a much-visited destination and especially popular among the youth of the city. However, the appearance of the space is not what you would expect of an auditorium of this standard to be and is in desperate need of renovation and modernization. It can be easily reached by buses and cabs.