Howrah Book Fair:-
Arguably, the first book fair of India was held in Howrah in 1956 at
Howrah Girls School. At present Howrah Book Fair is being held at Howrah Municipal
Corporation Stadium with official administrative and financial support. Howrah District
Library Department took charge of this book fair. It is the largest book fair in the district.
The book fair is accompanied by a nine-day discussion program, music, drama, poetry
reading session, etc. The book fair started with a rally called “Hatun” with the participation
of library staff, school students and local organizations.
Bankim Mela:-
Bankim Mela started in Howrah city through citizen forum. To mark noted
author Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s birth anniversary, this fair is held from 22nd -26th
June and has become a popular event over the years in Howrah. Dignitaries come to pay
their respects to Bankim Chandra’s house at Panchanantala Road. Govt. and Non-Govt. stalls
and various food stalls are set up in the fair. Various cultural competitions programmes are
other key attraction of this fair.
Ram Raja Mela / Fair:-
The Ram-Sita Pujo of Ramrajatala, Howrah, begins every year on
the Ram Navami in the month of Baishakh and ends on the last Sunday of the month of
Shravan, There is a statue of Ram-Sita at the Ram temple at Ramrajatala which is almost 23
feet high. A four-month long festival and fair is held in the area centered on this puja.
Sarat Mela:-
The autumn fair was organized in the village of Panitras, which is associated
with the memory of the acclaimed novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.The Sarat Mela is
organized by the nearby Smriti Library and the Sarat Mela Management Committee. The fair
is held on the grounds of Panitras High School.
Damodar Mela / Fair :-
Damodar Mela is organized by a voluntary organization called
“Pragati Gana Sangathan” of Amta. The fair started on December 6, 1992. Damodar Mela is
held on and from 9-13th December every year at Amta Raspur School Football Ground.
Agro-industry, science, history and folk culture are the main focus in the fair. Baul, Tarja
songs, Krishna Jatra etc. are performed in the fair. People of both Hindu and Muslim
religions participate in this exposition.
Uluberia Ras Mela :-
Among the Ras melas of this district, Uluberia Ras Mela is the most
well-known. This fair is built around the attractive Navaratna Kali temple in Uluberia.
Beginning in 1951, it has grown in popularity steadily. An exhibition of pottery based on
mythology and social stories is held on this fair, which is organized on the banks of the
Ganges adjacent to the temple.
Bhaikha’r Mela / Fair :-
Held around the shrine of Bhai Khan Pir at Singti of
Udaynarayanpur Police Station, it is said to be the one of the oldest and largest fairs in
Howrah district. The fair, which is about five hundred years old, is held on the first day of
the month of Magh. People from different communities come and pay homage to the shrine
during the fair.
Birshibpur Festival :-
The two-day folk-festival is held at Birshibpur in Uluberia in the
month of March. The aim of this festival is to keep the folk culture of Bengal alive.
Kalikapatari Dance –
Kalikapatari Dance Form relates to stories of Lord Shiva and based
on the ncient scriptures of Kalikapurana. it is mainly performed on the auspicious occasion
of Neel Puja.
Ghentugan –
Ghentugan is a kind of traditional cultural song , sung during
the monsoon season. This song is performed for three consecutive days by constructing a
huge mandap in the Amta area of Howrah district. Satyacharan Porel of Mandaria
community is one of the eminent Ghetu gaan performers in the district.
Krishna Jatra –
A popular folk form in Howrah district, its main theme is ‘devotion to Lord
Krishna’. Krishna Jatra is mainly prevalent among the people of Scheduled Castes. Both
boys and girls take part in the Jatra (Act) to portray different roles. Dancing and singing are
key components of Krishna Jatra.
Fakiri song –
This song is sung by people of Muslim community and focuses on spiritual
aspects of life and the world. Fakiri performers are mainly found in Sankrail, Bauria and
Domjur areas of Howrah district.
Adibasi Dance –
Howrah district is home to a small number of indigenous people. Mainly
centred around Jagatballavpur block. The adivbasis have preserved their .cultural heritage in
the rhythm of their dance-songs. Adibasi dances of Tilu Hansda and community are notable
in this region.
Tarja –
Tarja song is a form of folk poetry contest, based on contemporary social
conditions. Two groups perform against each other in a single stage. Sukumar Mandal, an
artist from Ravibhag village in Bagnan, Nepal Chakraborty from Udaynarayanpur and
Gunadhar Santra from Panchla are among the famous Tarja performers in Howrah.
Baul –
Like other art forms, Baul is also a very popular folk art form of Howrah. The subject
of most Baul songs is related to spiritualism and devotion. There are several Baul artists in
Howrah district, and they also compose songs on and socio-economic condition, latest events and even state welfare schemes, Shibnath Das and group of Basantapur, Bhaskar Manna of Nakol, Prabhat Chakraborty of Shyampur and Haradhan Das
Baul of Bally-Jagachha are considered among notable Baul singers in the district.
| Place |
Howrah |
- Official Website : https://howrah.gov.in/
