Kolkata, 23 September (HS): A three-day ‘Kirtan Workshop’ organised by the West Bengal State Music Academy began on Wednesday at the West Bengal State Music Academy building in Tollygunge, Kolkata. The workshop was inaugurated by Purnima Chakraborty, Minister of State for the Information and Cultural Affairs and Tourism departments of the West Bengal government.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Minister of State Purnima Chakraborty said that Kirtan is intrinsically linked with the history of Bengali literature and music. In this context, she also shared her experience of participating in a Nagar Kirtan in Kolkata. During her address, she announced a three-day Gaudiya dance workshop, which will begin on Friday.

She said that the youth have an important role to play in carrying forward Bengal’s traditions and heritage. She appreciated the enthusiastic participation of young people in Wednesday’s Kirtan workshop. She also conveyed the message of taking Bengal’s rich heritage to the national as well as global stage and wished the workshop success.

Professor Dr. Kankana Mitra, Head of the Department of Padavali Kirtan at Rabindra Bharati University, in her address, spoke about the nearly thousand-year-old tradition of Padavali Kirtan in Bengal. She appealed for arrangements to provide special scholarships or financial assistance to postgraduate students of Padavali Kirtan at Rabindra Bharati University.

The workshop will continue till Friday and a total of 30 students are participating in the workshop.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Santosh Madhup