Nazrul Tirtha
{{Short description|Cultural and educational centre in Kolkata, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{infobox building
| name = Nazrul Tirtha
| image = Nazrul_Tirtha.JPG
| building_type = Museum and academic research centre
| architectural_style = Modern / Bengali
| structural_system =
| location = Beside DLF 1, New Town, Greater Kolkata,{{cite news |title=North 24 Parganas district|url=https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/district/north_24_parganas#lb7}} West Bengal, India
| completion_date = 2013-14
| architect = Abin Chaudhuri
| structural_engineer =
| services_engineer =
| floor_area =
}}
Nazrul Tirtha (Nazrul Pilgrimage) is a cultural and educational center dedicated to the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.{{cite news|title=Nazrul Islam an icon of all Bengalis|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nazrul-islam-an-icon-of-all-bengalis/article6050756.ece|accessdate=2 June 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 May 2014}} The center is situated in Action Area - I of New Town, Kolkata. It is only 2.50 kilometers away from Rabindra Tirtha. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the center on 24 May 2014 to mark the occasion of the 115th birth anniversary of the poet.{{cite news|title=Green twist to centre dedicated to rebel poet Nazrul|url=http://bdnews24.com/arts/2014/05/27/green-twist-to-centre-dedicated-to-rebel-poet-nazrul|accessdate=2 June 2014|publisher=Bdnews24.com|date=2014-05-27}}{{cite news|title='Nazrul Tirtha', a hub of cultural exchange with Bangladesh|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nazrul-tirtha-a-hub-of-cultural-exchange-with-bangladesh-114052601163_1.html|accessdate=2 June 2014|agency=Press Trust of India|publisher=Business Standard|date=26 May 2014}}{{cite news|title=Man with the Nazrul Tirtha plan|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130906/jsp/saltlake/story_17314578.jsp#.U4y4vfmSxZs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530000839/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130906/jsp/saltlake/story_17314578.jsp#.U4y4vfmSxZs|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 May 2014|accessdate=2 June 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph (Calcutta)|date=6 September 2013}}
From August 2015, the center started screening films{{cite news|title=Film show premiere at Nazrul Tirtha today|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150807/jsp/saltlake/story_35733.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922143659/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150807/jsp/saltlake/story_35733.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 September 2015|accessdate=17 March 2018|newspaper=The Telegraph|date= 7 August 2015}} and in November 2015 became a venue for the Kolkata International Film Festival.{{cite news|title=Film fest starts in New Town|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1151120/jsp/saltlake/story_53944.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318054358/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1151120/jsp/saltlake/story_53944.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 March 2018|accessdate=17 March 2018|newspaper=The Telegraph|date= 20 November 2015}} Nazrul Tirtha also hosts art exhibitions.{{cite news|title=Jamini Roy show under way|url= https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170825/jsp/saltlake/story_168901.jsp|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180318183010/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170825/jsp/saltlake/story_168901.jsp|url-status= dead|archive-date= 18 March 2018|accessdate=18 March 2018|newspaper=The Telegraph|date= 25 August 2017}}
Architecture and design
The design and architecture of the center is said to be unique in Kolkata {{cite web|title=Nazrul Tirtha – Legacy of the Rebel Poet|url=http://www.maamatimanush.tv/articles.php?aid=251|website=Maa Mati Manush|accessdate=2 June 2014}} and bears the signature material of controversial Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier. The architectural language has been developed to express the personality of Kazi Nazrul Islam, designed by architect Abin Chaudhuri. An introverted mass was designed around a central green Courtyard which provides diffused natural light to the interiors. Considering the nature of the functions within, it was important to restrict the exposure to direct sunlight. The use of thin exterior RC walls saved energy, cost and time. The use of concrete provided the opportunity to explore innovative ways of treating the building. An indigenous sculptural feature wall was devised with inscribed famous words of the poet. The main gate has an 8.5 m high block of concrete sitting atop stilts, another Corbusian influence. On it are embedded the words Unnata mama shir, from Nazrul's poem Bidrohi. Of the seven blocks, three would house the museum, one block a library and another an auditorium.
At present, the cultural centre is functioning partly as a cinema hall and open air theatre for exhibitions and performances.{{Cite web|url=http://nazrultirtha.co.in/|title=Nazrul Tirtha {{!}} A Cultural Centre at Rajarhat (Kolkata) by HIDCO|website=nazrultirtha.co.in|access-date=2019-02-11}}
Gallery
File:Nazrul Tirtha - Rajarhat - Kolkata 2017-03-31 1093.JPG|As seen from Major Arterial Road
File:Nazrul_Tirtha1.JPG|Up front
File:Nazrul Tirtha screen 1 interior 01.jpg|Screen 1 interiors
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{coord missing|West Bengal}}
Category:Tourist attractions in North 24 Parganas district