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Calcutta Heritage Collective Launches Chaitanya Library Restoration Initiative with a Fusion of Art, Music, and Heritage

An ambitious restoration project by the Calcutta Heritage Collective aims to revive the 135-year-old Chaitanya Library while celebrating Kolkata’s rich cultural legacy.

Kolkata, January 13, 2025: The Calcutta Heritage Collective, a voluntary citizens’ movement for restoring and reusing Kolkata’s built heritage, has announced the launch of its Chaitanya Library Restoration Initiative. The project began with an inspiring evening of art and music held on January 12 at the Hyatt Regency Kolkata. This initiative aims to restore the iconic 135-year-old Chaitanya Library, a historical treasure that has served as a sanctuary for intellectual growth since its establishment in 1889. The library, founded by luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore, Gaur Hari Sen, and Kunj Behari Datta, houses over 150,000 rare books and journals, including invaluable works on Indian history, philosophy, and culture. However, years of neglect have left the library in dire need of structural restoration and digitization. The initiative aims to preserve this cultural treasure for future generations while making it accessible to a global audience.

A Holistic Restoration Plan
Calcutta Heritage Collective the restoration project will encompass multiple dimensions:
Structural Restoration: Under the guidance of conservation architect Ayan Sen, the library’s building will be restored with provisions for adaptive reuse to ensure sustainability.
Conservation of Rare Collections: Over 150,000 books and 25,000 journals will be cataloged, digitized, and preserved.
Global Accessibility: Digitization efforts will make the library’s vast collection accessible worldwide.
This comprehensive approach seeks not only to revive the library’s physical structure but also to reignite Kolkata’s rich legacy of intellectual and cultural brilliance.

An Evening of Music and Art
Calcutta Heritage Collective, the launch event was a celebration of Kolkata’s artistic spirit. The evening featured a live concert by renowned percussionist and cause ambassador Bickram Ghosh, who previewed his upcoming album, Rhythmscape 2.0. Ghosh was joined by acclaimed artists like Pt. S. Sekhar, Abhishek Mallick (electric sitar), Pulak Sarkar (keyboard), Nirmalya Roy (vocals), and Satyajit Mukherjee (drums). Together, they created a spellbinding musical experience that celebrated the fusion of classical and contemporary sounds.
Simultaneously, legendary artist Shuvaprasanna, celebrated for his artistic contributions to Kolkata, created a live painting during the performance. Speaking about his participation, Shuvaprasanna said: “I was honored to be part of Chaitanya, an exclusive evening by the Calcutta Heritage Collective. This priceless library, housing over a lakh books, deserves preservation. While such restoration efforts merit government attention, the CHC’s commitment is both inspiring and commendable.”
The event also featured the unveiling of the Chaitanya Heritage Baithakkhana, a space designed to capture the essence of the library’s history and the meaning of Chaitanya—awakening and knowledge.

Voices from the Movement
Bickram Ghosh, who has been deeply involved in the cause, said:
“I am passionate about preserving Kolkata’s heritage. Performing at this event and contributing to the legacy of the Chaitanya Library was an honor. I invite everyone to support this noble initiative and celebrate the city’s rich cultural history.”
Mukul Agarwal, Founder Trustee of the Calcutta Heritage Collective, remarked: “The Chaitanya Library is more than a building—it is a symbol of Kolkata’s intellectual and cultural legacy. Our mission is to restore it to its former glory and establish it as a hub for education and inspiration for generations to come.” This ambitious effort is led by a team of trustees, including Gaurav Gupta, Munish Jhajharia, Dr. Rupali Basu, and Sangeeta Dudhoria, who are united in their vision to preserve the city’s heritage while fostering a renewed spirit of community engagement.

Why the Chaitanya Library Matters
The Chaitanya Library, established in 1889, is one of Kolkata’s oldest intellectual landmarks. Its rare collection of books and journals provides a window into India’s cultural and intellectual past, but decades of neglect have put its survival at risk. By restoring the library, the Calcutta Heritage Collective not only preserves a historical treasure but also ensures that Kolkata’s legacy as a center of knowledge and learning lives on. The initiative also emphasizes adaptive reuse, making the library sustainable in the long term. Efforts to digitize the collection will further enhance its reach, providing scholars and history enthusiasts worldwide with access to its invaluable resources
Conclusion
Calcutta Heritage Collective, the Chaitanya Library Restoration Initiative by the Calcutta Heritage Collective is more than a preservation effort—it is a call to action for all who value Kolkata’s cultural soul. Through the restoration of the 135-year-old library, the movement aims to safeguard a legacy of knowledge while inspiring a renewed sense of community pride and engagement.
At Prittle Prattle News, where we take pride in “featuring you virtuously,” we continue to spotlight initiatives that protect heritage and foster meaningful change. Led by its Editor-in-Chief, Smruti Bhalerao, the publication celebrates stories that honor history while paving the way for a brighter future. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook for more updates. Visit Prittle Prattle News for inspiring stories about heritage, culture, and community efforts

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