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Unity over Division: Banke Bihari Temple stands firm against boycott of Muslim artisans | CJP
In a strong rebuke to calls from right-wing groups urging a boycott of Muslim traders and artisans following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the revered Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan has stood firm in its commitment
2026-07-17 -
Dhankurs on the verge of extinction; Bengal’s winters are losing artisans that once wove together warmth | CJP
As winter approaches in Bengal, with all its little extravagant traits – the pleasant dew particles on grass-leaves herald – the distant migratory birds coming back home – the winter crop – the winter festivities – the winter clothes. In most parts of North Bengal and many regions of North Bengal, it’s almost impossible to…
2026-07-17 -
Shantiniketan: Coming together to celebrate alt ‘Poush Mela’ | CJP
Even though local artisans and the fair committee had hoped that the fair would take place on the traditional field of Visvabharati’s Purvapalli, the authorities of the university refused to host the…
2026-07-17
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Cottage industries on the verge of extinction due to deforestation and modernisation in Bengal | CJP
There was a time when one would be surrounded by traditional trees of Bamboo and cane, while travelling towards the interiors of rural Bengal. Trees that enabled thousands of villagers to find a way to earn their living. They provided an ecosystem on which small cottage industries once thrived. But with modern age, deforestation and…
2026-07-17 -
Are Earthen Lamps a thing of the past? | CJP
It has not been a busy environment at potter-couple Mahesh and Nandita’s Birbhum residence-workshop, for a while now. Although once, it used to be a thriving affair with most of their days being consumed by making earthen pots and diyas. Especially during big occasions like Navratri and Diwali. Often, they have had to turn people…
2026-07-17 -
Bolpur to host alternative Poush Mela in 2022 breaking with a 125 year old tradition | CJP
For many many years, tourists from all across the country and abroad flock to the land of the red sand – Bolpur – Shantiniketan, pulled by the attraction of the traditional fair that generally begins on the 23rd of December every year. Commonly hosted by the Visva-Bharati University on its Purvapalli ground, this fair has…
2026-07-17 -
Mamta Pared | Grassroot Fellows | CJP
sneak peek into the flavours and fragrances of a tribal celebration 11 Nov, 2021 The golden glow of marigold garlands is the season’s signature Traditional torans made by Adivasi artisans
2026-07-17 -
New offices to address migrant labour issues in Bengal, workers express relief | CJP
For decades, multiple catastrophic incidents following migration for daily wage work have been issues that plagued healthy work culture and steady source of income for the poor and marginalised in India. While working with organisations like CJP and Bangla Sanskriti mancha, I’ve been acclimated with these workers’ issues multiple times. Economic crisis, housing problems, issues…
2026-07-17 -
Finding stability and profit rearing animals post lockdown | CJP
Birbhum’s Jasim Sheikh is a graduate from Burdwan University. After a few years of struggling to get a job, he arranged for some money to lease a piece of land and open an animal farm, mainly raising goats. But the road to opening the farm wasn’t easy. He applied for a loan in various banks…
2026-07-17 -
Autumn arrives in Bengal bringing Kaashphool and new business prospects | CJP
Autumn in Rural Bengal is beautiful. With its perfectly stretched green paddy fields, plump cotton clouds in the background, elongated magic hours and songs of migratory birds, the sight and sound is an experience to people who come from outside. What’s particularly mesmerising is the long stretches of Kaash phool or Kaans Grass, along the…
2026-07-17