Shuvaprasanna paints live to Bickram Ghosh's tabla at 135-year-old Chaitanya Library restoration launch

The Calcutta Heritage Collective recently launched the Chaitanya Library restoration and revival initiative with a spectacular evening of music and art at a Salt Lake venue on January 12, 2025. Dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and reuse of Kolkata’s built heritage, the Collective brought together thought leaders, students, senior citizens, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, heritage experts, developers, and concerned citizens – united by a shared passion for safeguarding the city’s rich history.

The event was a celebration of art and music, graced by renowned percussion maestro and cause ambassador, Bickram Ghosh, who captivated the audience with an exclusive live concert.

Shuvaprasanna, with 73 years of experience, painted live in front of the audience in just half an hour and the outcome was stunning. His brushstrokes moved in perfect harmony with the tabla beats of the percussion maestro. The evening was further enriched by the creation of the Chaitanya Heritage Baithakkhana, a beautifully designed space that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the programme, bringing the library’s legacy to life. Reflecting on his contribution, Shuvaprasanna shared, “I was honoured to be part of Chaitanya, an exclusive evening by the Calcutta Heritage Collective to support the restoration of the historic Chaitanya Library. This priceless heritage, housing over 100,000 books and 25,000 journals, deserves to be preserved for future generations. While such restoration should ideally receive government attention, the CHC's initiative is truly commendable. Their efforts are preserving a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiring a renewed spirit of learning in our community.”

At the helm of the movement, Mukul Agarwal, Founder Trustee of the Calcutta Heritage Collective, stated, “The Chaitanya Library stands as a symbol of Kolkata’s intellectual and cultural legacy. The challenge of restoring the library to its past glory is a daunting one—both in terms of restoring the large collection of rare books and rehabilitating the building. The Calcutta Heritage Collective has taken on the challenge of re-establishing it as a hub for education and culture, ensuring it remains a center of learning and inspiration for generations to come.”

This transformative effort is being led by the trustees of the Calcutta Heritage Collective: Gaurav Gupta, Munish Jhajharia, Dr. Rupali Basu, and Sangeeta Dudhoria, whose vision and commitment are driving the initiative forward.

The Chaitanya Project aims to restore the 135-year-old Chaitanya Library to its former glory. A treasure trove of knowledge, the library has stood the test of time, serving as a sanctuary for intellectual discourse and reflection. Established in 1889 by eminent figures such as Gaur Hari Sen, Kunj Behari Datta, and Rabindranath Tagore, the library houses over 150,000 rare books and journals, including invaluable works on Indian history, philosophy, and culture. However, decades of neglect have left it in urgent need of restoration and digitisation to ensure its priceless collection is preserved for future generations. The Calcutta Heritage Collective’s initiative will focus on restoring the building, conserving its invaluable resources, and digitizing its rare publications. Ayan Sen, a leading national heritage conservation architect and Collective member, has offered his expertise to assist in the restoration process. His plans include provisions for potential adaptive reuse to ensure the library’s long-term sustainability. These efforts aim to make the library’s collection accessible to a global audience while preserving its physical legacy.