Special Events

Join us for 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐔𝐭𝐬𝐚𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 at Victoria Memorial Hall and celebrate the festival of colours with mesmerising cultural performances! Dates: 13, 17, and 18 March 2025 Time: 5:00 pm Venue: South Lawn, VMH

Join us for a special talk on ‘The Victoria Memorial Hall and the Mise-en-scène of Empire’, by Dr. Swati Chattopadhyay, Professor, History of Art & Architecture, UC Santa Barbara; and VP, Society of Architectural Historians on 12 March 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Conference Hall, VMH.

On 10 March 2025, Victoria Memorial Hall and Alliance Française du Bengale, in association with the Consulate General of France in Calcutta presented the Women’s Day Concert, as part of the 3rd Edition of the Western Classical Music Concerts as a tribute to International Women’s Day. The evening featured three exceptional musicians – Inés García-Casillas (Clarinet), Jessica Rachel Bouaziz (Viola), and Wen-Ying Lan (Piano), who enchanted the Western Quadrangle of VMH with their soulful...

On 26 February 2025, Victoria Memorial Hall organised an awareness talk on TB for VMHofficials, staff members, and the CISF unit. The session was conducted by Dr. BhaswatiPandit, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of BiomedicalGenomics, Kalyani. She shared valuable insights on TB symptoms, prevention, andtreatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and healthcare awareness.

Victoria Memorial Hall and Alliance Française du Bengale, in association with the Consulate General of France in Kolkata, the Embassy of Romania to India, and the Honorary Consulate of Romania in Kolkata, organised Violons Tziganes – A Franco-Romanian Initiative on 17 February 2025. This extraordinary event was part of the 3rd edition of Western Classical Music Concerts.

Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata, organised the ‘Namaste Thailand Festival’ on 10 February 2025. The event featured the renowned Khon performance – Episodes of Hanuman the Mighty Warrior, a distinguished masked dance-drama that portrayed the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.

On 27 January 2025, Victoria Memorial Hall and Alliance Française du Bengale  in collaboration with the Consulate General of France and the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata organised ‘Mozart & Beethoven: Famous Piano Concertos’. This captivating event was part of the third edition of the Western Classical Music Concerts for 2024-2025. The Kolkata Sinfonietta Orchestra, under the esteemed direction of Didier Talpain, alongside the virtuoso pianist Alessandro Commellato, delivered...

On National Youth Day, 12 January 2025, Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with Bondhu Ek Asha, organized a sit-and-draw competition celebrating young talent, including children with disabilities. The event concluded with a thought-provoking debate titled ‘Guardians of Legacy: Youth as Cultural Ambassadors,’ fostering meaningful dialogue on the role of youth in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

Victoria Memorial Hall organised a distinguished lecture on ‘Narrating the Nation through Paintings: Abanindranath Tagore’s Nationalism’ on January 2, 2025, offering a deep dive into the intersection of art and nationalism. The session was followed by a captivating exhibition walkthrough, where attendees were able to explore the artworks of Abanindranath Tagore. The event provided a unique opportunity to engage with the rich legacy of one of India’s foremost artists and his...

Victoria Memorial Hall (VMH), the iconic landmark of Kolkata, hosted its first-ever ‘Victoria Memorial Hall Cultural Fest 2024 – Sanskriti Para’ from 20 to 24 December 2024. This inaugural event celebrated India’s rich artistic heritage, providing a vibrant platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase the diverse traditions of India’s classical art form. The fest highlighted VMH’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s cultural legacy, offering a dynamic space for artistic...

On 7 December 2024, on the occasion of the Bengal Biennale 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall inaugurated four exhibitions, including ‘Between Home & the World: Arabian Nights, Cubist Expressions, and Feminine Interiors of Jorasanko.’  The inauguration was followed by a panel discussion featuring Shri R. Siva Kumar, curator, and Smt. Ratnabali Chatterjee, author and professor, who explored the exhibition’s artistic and cultural themes. On the same day celebrated artist Padma Shri Paresh Maity led a...

On 5 and 6 December 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with Kolkata Centre for Creativity, successfully organized ‘Utsav III’ as part of the AMI Arts Festival 2024. This special event provided a valuable platform for young and emerging artists to showcase their talents across the disciplines of dance, music, and theatre.

On 9 December 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall and Alliance Française du Bengale in association with the Consulate General of France in Kolkata organised ‘The Trumpet Shall Sound: A Festive Baroque Christmas Concert’ presented as part of the 3rd Edition of the Western Classical Music Concerts. This unforgettable evening featured the Kolkata Sinfonietta Orchestra and Choir, led by the esteemed French music conductor Didier Talpain, with Choir Master Ms. Sharmistha Barrow. The night sparkled with performances...

VMH observed a month-long celebration of the Apna Bharat, Jagta Bengal campaign initiated by His Excellency Dr C V Ananda Bose. The campaign commemorates the honourable Governor of West Bengal’s two impactful years in office. The celebrations at VMH from 5 November to 30 November 2024 included a variety of activities that aligned with the honourable Governor’s vision for the campaign. Following are some key activities done by VMH: Set up an interactive messaging board inside the museum building and...

VMH observed the Vigilance Awareness Campaign (16 August to 15 November 2024) and Vigilance Awareness Week (28 October to 3 November 2024). During the  Vigilance Awareness Week (28 October to 3 November 2024) the Integrity Pledge was taken by all staff members and the members of the CISF Unit of VMH on 28 October 2024 in the Conference Hall of VMH. Awareness Campaigns were conducted with School/College Students and museum visitors by VMH museum guides. A Capacity Building lecture-cum-workshop was...

A Patachitra Painting Workshop, conducted by the Patachitra artists – Jahuran Chitrakar, Rahim Chitrakar and Nabir Chitrakar from Pingla, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal was organised on 20 November 2024 at Eastern Quadrangle of VMH. Students from Loreto Rainbow Homes, Pareshnath Balika Bidyalaya (H.S.) and Sushila Birla Girls Schoolparticipated in the workshop. The artist Jahuran Chitrakar also performed a Pater Gaan in the Central Hall of VMH for the museum visitors.

VMH organized Gaudiya Nrityamadhuri – a Gaudiya Nritya performance by Dr. Satabdi Acharya, Ayan Mukherjee, and the members of Bikramshila on 19 November 2024 at South Lawn of VMH. Pandit Amitava Mukhopadhyay, Hon’ble Member, Board of Trustees, VMH and eminent artist Dr Mahua Mukherjee – the pioneering researcher of Gaudiya Nritya, graced the occasion. The performance featured various dance compositions that unravelled mythological stories such as the Dashavataras of Vishnu, stories of the goddess...

VMH and Alliance Francaise du Bengale jointly organised a Western Classical Music Concert titled Romance on Piano on 11 November 2024 at the Eastern quadrangle of VMH. The piano recital was performed by Kim Barbier, a celebrated pianist who has performed across many prestigious venues in India and internationally. The theme of the soiree was “Shadow and Light” and featured compositions by the greats such as Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt and Claude Debussy. A house full of an audience exceeding 450...

On 10 November 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall organised ‘HOLUD NAKSHA’, a Nukkad Natak/play by Baranagar Bhumisuto Theatre as part of the ongoing month-long celebration honouring the “APNA BHARAT, JAGTA BENGAL” initiative by His Excellency, Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, commemorating two impactful years of his leadership as the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal.

Victoria Memorial Hall in collaboration with Bengal Business Council organised a specially curated experience titled – Durgotsab – Life, Culture and Livelihoods to complement the festive season and celebrate the inscription of our country’s shared heritage – the Durga Puja in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Inaugurated on 4 October 2024 by Smt. Manoshi Roy Choudhury, the Co-Chairperson of the Techno India Group and the Chief Mentor of the...

Swachhta Special Campaign 4.0 was observed at VMH from 2 – 31 October 2024. As part of this campaign a training session on Record Management-Digital, organised at the Conference Hall, VMH for all staff members on 7 October 2024. Officials and staff members of VMH planted saplings under the Swachhta special Campaign 4.0 and Plant4Mother (Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam) campaign in the lush gardens of VMH on On 21 October 2024. One of the best practices followed at VMH is the in-house production and usage of compost...

In the context of International Week of Deaf People 2024, VMH organised a specially curated experience for students with hearing impairment on 24 September 2024 in association with Anwesha, Kolkata. The theme for the day was Inclusive Education. As part of this event a  guided tour of the museum was conducted for the students in sign language. After the museum tour, students were engaged in an art activity.

Victoria Memorial Hall organised various cleaning activities and awareness campaigns on the occasion of the Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign 2024. Swachhata Ki Bhagidari: On 17 September 2024: The entire campus of VMH was adorned with banners promoting the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign and a Placard-Making Activity was conducted for the students based on the theme: Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskar Swachhata. Thirty-two (32) female students from Loreto Rainbow Homes participated in the activity and created graphic...

VMH and EZCC, Kolkata jointly organised a Har Ghar Tiranga Concert by Padma Bhushan Smt. Usha Uthup at the Durbar Hall, VMH on 14 August 2024. The legendary singer paid tribute to the nation by performing a series of patriotic songs at the event.

The Fabric of Freedom – a pop-up installation created in collaboration with DAG Museums, was displayed at the Great Indian Reformers Gallery at VMH from 13 to 18 August 2024. The installation was made by twenty students of classes VIII to X from four schools – Ek Tara Learning Centre, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Modern High School for Girls and South City International School. The installation, created on the theme of the role of fabric in India’s freedom struggle, was a part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’...

VMH actively engaged in the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign organized by the Ministry of Culture through several initiatives. National flags were distributed to school students and visitors, and on August 12, 2024, the VMH staff took the Har Ghar Tiranga Pledge.

On the occasion of the 163rd Birth Anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy on 2 August 2024, VMH in collaboration with the Bengal Business Council organised a panel discussion on: The Way Forward for the Bengali Youth through the Philosophy of Acharya Chandra Roy. The panellists included Padma Bhushan Dr Swapan Dasgupta (reputed historian, journalist and former MP – Rajya Sabha), Dr Shivaji Bhattacharya (scientist and Hon’ble Member of the Board of Trustees of VMH) and Dr Suvobrata...

VMH organised a lecture-demonstration titled – Gaudiya Nritya Unveiled- A Journey Through Bengal’s Classical Dance on 19 July 2024. The lecture was delivered by Dr Mahua Mukherjee, exponent and pioneer researcher who has revived the Indian classical dance form of Gaudiya Nritya along with Pt. Amitava Mukhopadhyay, eminent academician, vocalist, Hon’ble Member, Board of Trustees, Victoria Memorial Hall. Gaudiya Nritya is a traditional dance form from Bengal known for its expressive movements,...

VMH organised an in-house lecture on Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at their Workplace delivered by Bipasha Roy, Independent Consultant, Child Protection Lawyer and Member Internal Complaint Committee (ICC), VMH.

VMH organised a two-day hands-on training workshop titled Care of Artefacts – Preventive Measures of Conservation of Oil Paintings and Sculptures in Metal and Marble. The workshop was conducted by the experts of Victoria Memorial Hall. On the first day, the participants were given practical training regarding the nature of museum objects, their preventive care, packaging and storage. On the second day, the participants were engaged in the cleaning of metal and marble sculptures in the gardens of...

Victoria Memorial Hall marked the International Day of Yoga 2024 with a range of activities in partnership with organizations such as NSG, Indiatourism, Ministry of Tourism (Government of India), NCC West Bengal & Sikkim Directorate, and 1 Bengal Battalion. The event saw over a thousand participants, including VMH staff, the CISF unit of VMH, NCC Cadets, and students from various schools and colleges, actively taking part in the yoga sessions.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, VMH staff planted saplings in the VMH garden to commemorate the occasion. Around fifteen saplings of Mango, Custard Apple, Oriental Mangrove, Guava and Jackfruit were planted among others and fifty saplings were distributed to the staff members of VMH.

VMH participated in the International Museum Expo 2024 at Science City, Kolkata. A special exhibition titled “Krishna” was displayed at the VMH stall showcasing reproductions of selected paintings on the theme, from the VMH collection. Videos of VMH’s activities, collections and restoration projects were also shown.

A Special Guided Tour – Victoria Memorial Hall: An Architectural Poetry was conducted at VMH on account of International Museum Day. The tour dived into the nuances of the architectural style of VMH and stories of its inception, construction and history.

The educational treasure hunt event aimed to encourage the visitors to look closely at the objects on display, engage with them and read the information provided regarding them on the labels to answer simple questions.

A Zine Making Workshop was organized for students of class VIII and above, on the occasion of Earth Day. Swati Mishra, an expert at interdisciplinary learning, guided the students to create creative zines on the theme of Planet vs Plastic. Students presented their ideas to reduce the ever-increasing plastic waste using doodles, slogans, short write-ups, sketches and collages.

Shri Swarup Bhattachrayya, an eminent anthropologist and an expert on boats and maritime technology delivered a lecture titled Maritime Technological Heritage where he introduced the audience to the various types of Indigenous boats used in Bengal and discussed the technological mastery that goes into their making.

A Quiz Contest was held for VMH staff based on the tangible and intangible heritage of India, enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage

In the context of World Health Day, Dr Shuvendu Sen, MD, MS, FACP, MBA delivered a lecture titled Alzheimer’s Disease, Need for Education and Awareness for VMH staff. Dr Sen informed the audience about the early symptoms of the disease, its progression, the challenges faced by people with this condition and how caregivers can respond to the patients with sensitivity and empathy.

Bratachari Festival – a unique cultural festival performed by school students was organised in collaboration with Mother Earth Foundation. Bratachari, a Bengal sport, was founded by Sir Gurusaday Dutta, the then civil service officer under the British government. Around 100 students from underprivileged backgrounds, performed different drills and dance.

VMH, the Consulate-General of France in Kolkata, Alliance Françoise Du Bengale and Prabha Khaitan Foundation jointly organized a Women’s Day Concert featuring Diane Mugot (French Bassoon), Helene Richard (Clarinet) and Wen-Ying Lan (Piano) at the Eastern Quadrangle of VMH.

VMH and the Environment Conservation Society with their registered trademark – SwitchON Foundation, jointly organized a discussion on Kolkata’s Cultural Heritage: A Threat due to Air Pollution and Climate Change.