Nazrul Tirtha
Nazrul Tirtha (Nazrul Pilgrimage) is a cultural and educational center dedicated to the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.[2] The center is situated in Action Area - I of New Town, Kolkata. It is only 2.50 kilometers away from Rabindra Tirtha. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the center on 24 May 2014 to mark the occasion of the 115th birth anniversary of the poet.[3][4][5]
Nazrul Tirtha | |
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General information | |
Type | Museum and academic research centre |
Architectural style | Modern / Bengali |
Location | Beside DLF 1, New Town, Greater Kolkata[1], West Bengal, India |
Completed | 2013-14 |
Design and construction | |
Architect | Abin Chaudhuri |
From August 2015, the center started screening films[6] and in November 2015 became a venue for the Kolkata International Film Festival.[7] Nazrul Tirtha also hosts art exhibitions.[8]
Architecture and design
The design and architecture of the center is said to be unique in Kolkata [9] and bears the signature material of controversial Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier.[5] The architectural language has been developed to express the personality of Kazi Nazrul Islam, designed by architect Abin Chaudhuri. An introverted mass was designed around a central green Courtyard which provides diffused natural light to the interiors. Considering the nature of the functions within, it was important to restrict the exposure to direct sunlight. The use of thin exterior RC walls saved energy, cost and time. The use of concrete provided the opportunity to explore innovative ways of treating the building. An indigenous sculptural feature wall was devised with inscribed famous words of the poet. The main gate has an 8.5 m high block of concrete sitting atop stilts, another Corbusian influence. On it are embedded the words Unnata mama shir, from Nazrul’s poem Bidrohi. Of the seven blocks, three would house the museum, one block a library and another an auditorium. [5]
At present, the cultural centre is functioning partly as a cinema hall and open air theatre for exhibitions and performances.[10]
See also
References
- "North 24 Parganas district".
- "Nazrul Islam an icon of all Bengalis". The Hindu. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- "Green twist to centre dedicated to rebel poet Nazrul". Bdnews24.com. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- "'Nazrul Tirtha', a hub of cultural exchange with Bangladesh". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- "Man with the Nazrul Tirtha plan". The Telegraph (Calcutta). 6 September 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- "Film show premiere at Nazrul Tirtha today". The Telegraph. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- "Film fest starts in New Town". The Telegraph. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- "Jamini Roy show under way". The Telegraph. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- "Nazrul Tirtha – Legacy of the Rebel Poet". Maa Mati Manush. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- "Nazrul Tirtha | A Cultural Centre at Rajarhat (Kolkata) by HIDCO". nazrultirtha.co.in. Retrieved 11 February 2019.