Calcutta's lively arts scene is well known for its
music and Bengali theatre, though the latter is of limited access to most tourists as performances are in Bengali. A handful of galleries hold exhibitions of fine art, and the cultural centres of the various consulates also play an important role in the life of the city. Of the many nonreligious festivals each year, the
Ganga Utsav , held over a few weeks around the end of January at Diamond Harbour, involves music, dance and theatrical events.
Rabindra Sadan is Calcutta's theatre and concert hall district, with numerous venues including
Nandan next door on AJC Bose Road, the city's leading art-house cinema.
Calcutta This Fortnight , is a useful source for
listings or look up
Cal Calling or local papers.
Music and dance
Calcuttan
music audiences have a reputation as the most discerning in the country. The main concert season is winter and spring, with the huge week-long
Dover Lane Music Festival , held under a marquee in south Calcutta around the end of January and early February, attracting many of India's best musicians. Other popular venues for single- and multi-day festivals include Rabindra Sadan on the junction of AJC Bose Road and Cathedral Road and Kala Bhavan on Theatre Road (Shakespeare Sarani).
Sangeet Research Academy , near Tollygunge Metro Station, one of India's leading north Indian classical music research institutes, offers long-term courses in various music forms and holds free Wednesday-evening concerts.
All India Radio Calcutta is a good source for Indian classical music, folk music and
Rabindra Sangit , the songs of Rabindranath Tagore.
Cinemas
Cinemas that show English-language films three or four times each day can be found along Chowringhee near Esplanade and New Market. All are air-conditioned; some, like the Lighthouse on Humayan Place, are fine examples of Art Deco. Names to look for include Elite, SN Banerjee Road; Globe, Lindsay Street; and Chaplin, Chowringhee Place. Nandan (tel 033/223 1310), behind Rabindra Sadan on AJC Bose Road, is the city's leading art-house cinema with library, archives and three auditoria. The Jamuna on Marquis Street, and the Globe on Madge Lane are the closest cinemas to Sudder Street.
Galleries
Bengal has a proud and lively tradition of contemporary art, with its few
galleries showing a high standard of work.
Academy of Fine Arts , Cathedral Road. Showplace for local artists and venue for international exhibitions of contemporary art. Permanent exhibitions include works by Rabindranath Tagore and Jamini Roy as well as sculpture. Tues-Sun 3-8pm; Rs5.
Birla Academy of Art and Culture , Southern Avenue. Ancient and modern art with regular exhibitions of contemporary Indian artists. Tues-Sun 4-8pm; Rs5.
CIMA (Centre of International Modern Art), 2nd Floor, Sunny Towers, 43 Ashutosh Chowdhury Ave. Prestigious Ballygunge gallery, showing work by contemporary artists.
Gallery Katayun , Jassal House, Auckland Square. Close to Lower Circular Road and the Rawdon Street crossing, with frequent exhibitions of contemporary art.
Oxford Bookshop Gallery , 17 Park St. Recently renovated bookshop with a gallery holding special exhibitions on the mezzanine floor.
