Pickle Factory Season 3 # TakeTheCityKolkata kicked off with November – Spaces for Community – in a hub housed in Behala Nutan Dal pujo grounds –  where painters, dancers, singers, musicians, the Behala Nutan Dal para community and the East Kolkata Wetlands community all came together to reflect on collective histories, build on current thinking and imagine into the future what we envision for our city. 

Behala Nutan Dal  is a long standing pujo committee and para community. Being of an artistic bent of mind, every year their puja pandals give awe and inspiration to countless citizens of Kolkata and beyond. A neighbourhood full of arts lovers, we share with them a deep belief in dignity of labour,  and that social and arts activities are vital for the spirit of the community and of Kolkata.

Every year our city bursts with puja pandals Our temporary bamboo artistic structures have become the foundation for strong communities connections to thrive – this is exactly what we wished to celebrate in our Season hub.

From 10 days before the Season launch, talented painters from the para and from across Kolkata enthusiastically came together to line the walls with portraits and homages to all the hidden skilled workers. A week before launch, young dancers too came to hang out with the Behala Nutan Dal neighbourhood dancers – we painted, jammed, shared stories, shared dance as the bamboo frame of our hub went up around us. After 3 years of lockdown, such face to face exchanges were the most organic & electric experiences for many of us after a very long time. Their vibrant energy and excitement blossomed in the air when we launched our hub and opened Pickle Factory Season 3 #TakeTheCityKolkata (one dance at a time)