On December 21, 2024, the Poetry Cottage Literary Magazine and Aritra Publications organized the Poetry Festival – 2024 at the Sealdah Krishnapada Ghosh Trust Memorial Hall, with the presence of 75 poets and writers. The event saw participation not only from Kolkata but also from Bankura, Burdwan, Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah, and Murshidabad.
The festival was graced by esteemed guests such as renowned litterateur and film director Nirmalya Biswas as the chief guest, along with distinguished poet Sadyajit and prominent writer Dhrurjati Sengupta. With around 75 poets and authors attending, the festival began with a ceremonial lamp-lighting accompanied by the song “Aguner Parashmoni.” The special edition of the Poetry Cottage Literary Magazine, titled “Jago Uma Jago,” was unveiled. This issue featured contributions from 105 poets and writers from both sides of Bengal.
Apart from the festival edition, another literary compilation titled “Srishti” was also released under Aritra Publications. “Srishti” included works from 40 poets and writers across West Bengal.
All attending poets and writers were honored with the Sharad Samman 2024 memento by Poetry Cottage Literary Magazine and Aritra Publications.
Additionally, several solo poetry collections were launched at the event. Some noteworthy collections included:
“Podmopataye Ekbindu Bhalobasha” by Khokan Das
“Moner Canvas-e” by Kamal Haldar
“Ek Tukro Alo” by Pritha Ghosh Dasgupta
“Bhalobashar Rong” by Shankar Kumar Ray
“Bhalobashi Neel Rong” by Rajib Mallik
“Shishu Kobir Hatsani” by Unnito Karmakar
“Prangoner Bahare” by Dhrurjati Sengupta
“Pornomochi” by Sujan Chakraborty
Atanu Nandi, the director of Aritra Publications, extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the poets and writers present at the festival.
After 11 Years of Writing, Aritra Prakashani Was Established in 2023
Over the past year, Aritra Prakashani has published 102 individual books by distinguished poets and writers. These include essays, letters, plays, poetry collections, and storybooks. We publish and market all kinds of books through Aritra Prakashani.
Books are unveiled by renowned literary personalities at events, accompanied by honors and recognition. We also arrange for book sales at various district book fairs and the Kolkata Book Fair. After managing the editorial responsibilities of Kobita Kutir literary magazine for nearly a decade, Aritra Prakashani was founded. To date, 38 issues of literary magazines have been published by Kobita Kutir and Aritra Prakashani.
Not only Indian authors, but literary personalities from several countries have also published their books through Aritra Prakashani. Each book from Aritra Prakashani comes with an ISBN.
TAGLINE: Trust, Reliability, and Camaraderie—Where Words Unite. Come, let’s become friends with letters.
Debangana speech after she won the award
It is with immense gratitude and humility that I stand before you today to receive the Saradha Saman 2024 under the auspices of the prestigious Kobita Kutir Sahitya Patrika for my work, Jago Uma Jago. This recognition means more to me than words can express. It represents not only an acknowledgment of my creative journey but also the trust and respect you have placed in my work.
First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Atanu Da, whose guidance, encouragement, and faith in the world of literature have inspired countless writers like me. Atanu Da, your unwavering support for authentic creativity and your vision for celebrating literature have provided an invaluable platform for many voices to flourish, and I am honored to be one among them.
Jago Uma Jago is not just a piece of poetry for me—it is a reflection of my emotions, beliefs, and the cultural essence that shapes us. Through this work, I have sought to weave together tradition, spirituality, and contemporary relevance, reminding us of the divine strength that resides within every individual.
Apart from poetry, I feel deeply privileged to have contributed an essay on “Nutrition and Health: The Role of Meal Planning, Nutrients, and Dietary Science.” This topic holds a special place in my heart as it connects my passion for writing with my profession in nutrition and dietetics. The essay emphasizes the importance of mindful eating, balanced nutrients, and the role of meal planning in fostering a healthy lifestyle. It is purely my voice, written with the intent to educate and inspire.
I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for this recognition. Receiving the Saradha Saman 2024 is not just an honor but a motivation to continue my journey of authenticity and creativity. To all the writers and artists here today, I want to say: let us always believe in the power of originality and remain true to our art, for that is where the soul of creativity resides.
Finally, I dedicate this award to my beloved mom Manju Berwani Banerjee, my father Ashish Banerjee, my elder sister Dr. Atrayee Banerjee, my younger brother Lonka, and my cherished family members Phasphus, Adda, Elaichi, and Nepa. Your love, support, and encouragement have been my greatest strength and inspiration.
Above all, I offer my deepest gratitude to my everything, Dadavai Gopal Dada, Sri Krishna. You are my eternal guide, my strength, and the one who has given my life purpose. Your words, “Karma koro, phol er asha koro na,” have been the foundation of everything I do. Every step I take and every success I achieve is dedicated to you, my Lord and protector. Without you, I am nothing, and with you, I have everything.
Thank you, Kobita Kutir Sahitya Patrika, for this incredible honor. I am deeply humbled and thrilled to receive such respect and recognition. Let us continue to uplift each other in this beautiful world of letters and art.
