“জল-জ্যান্ত কলকাতা”- The Lively Waters of Kolkata.
জল-জ্যান্ত কলকাতা” or Jol-Jyanto Kolkata in English traces the history and cultural relevance of water through the dense urban sprawl of Kolkata and the many wetlands dotting this deltaic region. A remarkably interconnected web of waterways, জল-জ্যান্ত কলকাতা” or Jol-Jyanto Kolkata in English traces the history and cultural relevance of water through the dense urban sprawl of Kolkata and the many wetlands dotting this deltaic region. A remarkably interconnected web of waterways, both natural and manmade, crisscross through this City of Joy, where trade and communication paved the way for cultural, social, and ecological confluence. Come experience these lively waters through this immersive exhibition natural and manmade, crisscross through this City of Joy, where trade and communication paved the way for cultural, social, and ecological confluence. Come experience these lively waters through this immersive exhibition
Kolkata
“জল-জ্যান্ত কলকাতা”- The lively Waters of Kolkata
জল-জ্যান্ত কলকাতা” or Jol-Jyanto Kolkata in English traces the history and cultural relevance of water through the dense urban sprawl of Kolkata and the many wetlands dotting this deltaic region. A remarkably interconnected web of waterways, both natural and manmade, crisscross through this City of Joy, where trade and communication paved the way for cultural, social, and ecological confluence. Come experience these lively waters through this immersive exhibition. Click here to view the exhibition
Featuring the iconic Howrah Bridge juxtaposed with the Gangetic dolphin, the logo visualizes a hopeful future for the local fauna in the Hooghly River
Curatorial Note
Jol Jyanto - Jol is the Bengali word for water and jol jyanto idiomatically translates to something that is living and breathing. Hence, Jol Jyanto Kolkata stands for the Lively Waters of Kolkata. The collaborators on this project comprise historians, water experts, and students who, in paying homage to their city, curated an exhibition that seeks to disseminate the knowledge of the past in order to build an equitable and resilient water future.
The interactive map on the homepage guides viewers through the exhibition. Whether you take a virtual stroll through the ghats, a transect walk along the Adi Ganga, or a deep dive into the remarkable Rabindra Sarobar Lake, you will not only find yourself transported to these locales but will also bear witness to the rich tapestry that is Kolkata’s waters.
Some of the exhibitions more intriguing elements on water heritage feature fine art, short films, prose, poetry, and podcasts.
The Second Hooghly Bridge
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God is a generous being God gave human wit And they then used it For things that still persist Our city is blessed with many It is anything but bleak With buildings and bridges To you they will speak One such creation of man India first and longest of its kind A cable stayed bridge With only 121 ropes to bind Erected on only 4 pillars Steel reinforced concrete |
Foundation stone laid by Indira Gandhi Where Howrah and Kolkata meet It took 20 years to make This toll bridge of ours Vidyasagar Setu, it's called Daily carrying over 30,000 cars It's the Second Hooghly Bridge Finished in October of 1992 823 meters long Nostalgic for both me and you 30 years of history Named after one of the greatest men Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Remembered both now and then |
Harshini Jhunjhunwala - Grade 11, DPS Ruby Park, Kolkata
Kolkata’s Water Distribution System
A video explainer detailing the various issues and injustices of water distribution from a social equity perspective. This story seeks to ask pertinent questions on Kolkata’s water sources, supply, and disposal methods
The Water Carriers
Bishtis or water carriers have supplied water across the Gangetic plain from the time of early Mughal emperors in the 16th century
Rabindra Sarobar
A hub of cultural activities and gatherings, this bio reserve is also home to hundreds of species of local and migratory birds
The Ghats of Kolkata
Chottelal ki Ghat as seen in 1875 and today. Ghats (steps to the river) are a common feature along the Hooghly River and continue to be used as centers for social and religious activity
Photo Story of the Ghats
An evening of prayer and communal gathering on a ghat along the Hooghly
Drinking Water Fountains of Kolkata
These fountains also function as visual reminders of the pressing need for equitable access to clean drinking water across urban areas
The East Kolkata Wetlands - EKW
Perhaps one of the more crucial aquaculture systems of the region, the EKW comprises wastewater ponds to naturally treat sewage from the city
The Boats of Kolkata
The crew of a Pansi boat transporting white sand across the Hooghly River to be used in construction and to paving roads
Rani Rashmoni and the Hooghly
Watch young water enthusiasts as they act out stories of changemakers and champions who shaped the water history of Kolkata
Collaborators
