The 2nd Purvodaya Literary Festival Opens with Cultural Grandeur and Intellectual Spirit

News Desk, News Nation 360 : The Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), in partnership with the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), successfully launched the Purvodaya Literary Festival - Second Edition in Kolkata on November 24, 2025. The first session set an upbeat and uplifting tone for the three-day festival, bringing together a diverse group of literary aficionados, scholars, performers, artists, students, and culture lovers. The inaugural event was attended by H.E. Dr C. V. Ananda Bose, Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, who served as the Chief Guest. Rajendra Singh, a famous environmentalist and water conservationist known as the 'Water Man of India,' attended the event as the Guest of Honour, adding a layer of ecological awareness to the festival's spirit of learning and meditation. Paramita Satpathy, an eminent writer, received the Second Purvodaya Excellence Award in appreciation of her major contributions to contemporary Indian literature. This coveted award was a standout highlight of the event, which celebrated the East's cultural vibrancy through literary talks, recitations, quizzes,

fashion shows, art competitions, and Nukkad Natak. Two special exhibitions, Purvodaya Litpex: A Philatelic Exhibition on Literature and The Indonesian Odyssey of Rabindranath Tagore, received a lot of interest for displaying rare historical papers, pictures, and cultural links. The participation of Arindam Mukherjee, Director of ISCS, who continues to play an important role in the festival's vision and continuity, enlivened the event even more. Dr C. V. Ananda Bose, Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, opened his presentation by praising Paramita Satpathy and Rajendra Singh, emphasising that true literary awards are reserved for a select few. He discussed how Indian literature has long reflected an environmental awareness, from Valmiki's earliest lyrical utterance to Kalidasa's evocative imagination, and how his own experiences in the Himalayas reinforced this understanding. He discussed the power of imagination through Coleridge, the philosophical brilliance of the Bhagavad Gita, and his upcoming book Jungle in the Mind. He stressed the ongoing importance of literature and culture in influencing society, motivating intellectual inquiry, and developing human values. He finished by emphasising the need for cultural and social rejuvenation.

Pic - Krishnendu Kundu