Concert for Palestine in Kolkata
Subinoy Moulik
On November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Palestine Solidarity Initiative hosted a "Concert for Palestine" in Kolkata's central business district, Esplanade. The venue, in front of the Oberoi Grand, was draped with strings of Palestinian and Indian chain flags. From afternoon to late evening, the event served as a unified and diverse condemnation of Israel's ongoing genocidal actions in Gaza.
The core message—that silence in the face of the horrors in Gaza is complicity—was powerfully conveyed through songs, poetry, and art by a collective of artists, painters, activists, musicians, and performers. The stage had an LED backdrop that continuously displayed horrifying images of Israeli barbarity alongside visuals of global human resistance.
The lineup featured prominent participants, including internationally acclaimed filmmaker Q (Kaushik Mukherjee), folk-rock singer Vota Khepa and his band, singer-composer Kaji Kamal Nasser, Saptak Sanai and painter Indrajit Narayan. The evening concluded on an inspiring note with a presentation of song and dance by the IPTA WB South 24 Pargana unit.
Art, Poetry, and Resistance
This city had once spilled onto its streets in support of Vietnam's liberation struggle. Tracing the trajectory of that history, the grand avenues of Kolkata bore witness to the resonant call of the 'Concert for Palestine' in front of the iconic Grand Hotel. In his introductory remarks, Rajat Bandyopadhyay (Secretary, WB Democratic Writers and Artists' Association) underscored the historical significance, stating that Palestine's civilisation spans millennia, it is rooted in the ancient desert. Today, its people face relentless assault, with blood being shed constantly. He recalled a visit by the 'Freedom Theatre' from the region a few years prior, which recounted their daily struggle for survival amidst conflict.
The powerful pen of Palestine’s national poet, Mahmoud Darwish, echoes the grim reality: 'I have seen the savagery of the massacre,' or in his haunting verses: 'after they finish you, they will control the camp / after they finish you, they will burn every word with fire /... Why don't you tell them-NO?'"
Harnessing the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, the mass theatre artist Abhijit Ghosh raised his voice with the poignant hymn, 'The world, maddened by violence' (Hingshay Unmatto Prithwi). Meanwhile, along the edge of the avenue, artists Partha Chattopadhyay, Dipali Bhattacharya, Aniruddha Mukhopadhyay, and Indrajit Narayan wielded colours and brushes to create powerful images of peace and anti-war sentiment. These artworks are slated to be sent to the Palestinian Embassy in Delhi. As echoed by Mahmoud Darwish, Gaza remains a beautiful city. The enemy may seize control of Gaza; they may reduce its towns and habitations to rubble. Yet, you must never concede—never say yes. This profound spirit of defiance and self-assurance permeated the performances of the artists, manifesting in their songs, dances, speeches, and theatrical acts.
Global Protest
Samik Lahiri, Editor Ganashakti issued a stark reminder: what is unfolding is a brutal, barbaric slaughter—comparable only to Hitler’s ‘Holocaust.’ Just as Hitler murdered thousands in gas chambers, it is almost unimaginable that in one country, Palestine, seventy thousand people have been killed in cold blood. The aggressors believed the entire world would stand by silently, that global public opinion would bow to the will of America and Israel.
However, the world is shifting, and the situation is rapidly changing. Public sentiment is mobilising against Israel in various countries. Several European nations, which previously withheld recognition from Palestine as a state, have now been compelled to grant it. Following the blockade of the Gaza flotilla, we witnessed students, youth, women, doctors, and journalists from different nations sailing with aid; they were intercepted and arrested mid-voyage. Even Greta Thunberg was not spared. In response, the entire planet has risen in protest.
The majority of the dead in Palestine are women and children. The singular objective of this genocide is to ensure that the next generation is unable to rise up. Due to overwhelming global pressure, Israel was forced to declare a ceasefire. Yet, continuous bombing persists. At least 25,000 children have been killed. Such an atrocity is utterly unacceptable to human civilisation. Palestine is the only remaining country where colonialism is actively taking place. The British had once ruled India, but colonialism receded globally after World War II, giving way to independence for various nations. Israel’s attacks are designed to prevent any movement from one end of Palestine to the other.
A similar mentality of violence is being fostered in our own country, where people are murdered in broad daylight—sometimes in the name of caste, sometimes in the name of religion. Against this tide, artists, writers, and citizens alike must take to the streets.
A Chorus of Defiance
The Shibpur unit of the IPTA lent its voice to Salil Chowdhury's powerful anti-war song, traversing from 'Amader Nanān Matē Nanān Dolē Dolādoli' (Our differences in opinions, our factional disputes) to the ultimate declaration, 'Ār Juddho Naẏ' (No more war). Following this, Shruti Narayan channeled a storm of rebellion, moving through the philosophical depths of Lalon Fakir's songs to the protest anthems of Pete Seeger. Q's two rap tracks, marked by sharp, scathing satire, were performed to a massive and highly positive popular reception. Vota Khepa garnered immense appreciation when he performed Satyajit Ray's well-known song, "Ore halla rajar sena, tora yuddha kore karbi ki ta bal" (Come, soldiers of Halla, what's the use of war?). The programme also featured a powerful spoken word and musical presentation by Kazi Kamal Nasser, who offered a searing portrait of the brutal persecution of Black Americans in the United States. Akash Chakraborty and Saptak Sanai voiced their protest through their music, their songs serving as a resounding declaration of dissent. Riya and Rahul lightened the mood with their rendition of Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica Farewell." Writer Shayara Shah Halim recited an original and powerful poem. The event was brought to a close by the IPTA, South 24 Parganas unit, which staged a powerful performance of 'Eto Rokto Keno' (Why So Much Blood).
