Performing Spring: Romance, Resistance and Politics of Awakening

Name of the Activity: Performing Spring: Romance, Resistance and Politics of Awakening
Type of Activity: Invited Talk and Musical Performance
Date/ Duration of Activity (from-to): 02.03.2026
Time: 2:15 to 4:30 pm
Details of Resource Persons: Joyraj Bhattacharjee – thespian, Dr. Uttiya Chattopadhyay – Vocalist, Dr. Abir Chatterjee and troupe – Vocalist
No. of Participants: – 76

Objective of the event: The objective of the event was to explore the cultural, artistic, and political meanings of spring through music and scholarly discussion, and to encourage students to reflect on the relationship between art, resistance, and social transformation.

Brief description of the event: On 2 March 2026, The Bhawanipur Education Society College hosted an invited talk and musical collage titled “Performing Spring: Romance, Resistance and Politics of Awakening.” The programme was jointly organized by the Departments of History and Journalism and Mass Communication. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Piu Chatterjee of the Department of History.
The programme began with a soulful musical performance by Dr. Uttiya Chattopadhyay, Assistant Professor of Geography, who is also a passionate student of Rabindranath Tagore’s music. Through his rendition of Tagore’s compositions, he portrayed the poet’s evolving emotions toward spring—admiration, gentle reproach at its delayed arrival, and a poignant farewell as the season departs.
Following the musical segment, Mr. Joyraj Bhattacharjee delivered an insightful lecture on the politics and symbolism of spring in artistic practice. He discussed the distinction between art and culture, emphasizing how art challenges restrictive norms, stimulates creativity, and contributes to social transformation. Using the metaphor of spring, he explained how renewal and resistance often emerge after periods of stagnation and decay.
The final performance of the afternoon was presented by Dr. Abir Chattopadhyay, an academician and an accomplished Rabindra Sangeet performer with over three decades of professional experience. A scholarship recipient of the West Bengal State Music Academy, he trained under renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponents. Alongside teaching, painting, and writing, his extensive research and musical practice have enabled him to perform widely across the state and the country.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Debjani Ganguly, Vice-Principal (Arts), who narrated how the programme was conceptualized and how it eventually took its final form.

Outcome of the event: The programme created a meaningful platform for students to experience the intersection of music, literature, and social thought. It deepened their understanding of the symbolic and political significance of spring in artistic expression and encouraged them to reflect on the role of art in inspiring creativity and social change.