Music, dance and history: When Dalhousie regains life after office hours

When the office crowds leave Dalhousie, the grand colonial buildings of BBD Bagh usually slip into darkness and silence. But on the evening of March 7, the historic precinct found a new rhythm after sunset.

Through Kolkata Festival by Night, an initiative by Kolkata Unforgettable, the usually quiet district turned into a vibrant cultural trail, with music, dance and storytelling unfolding inside some of the city’s landmark heritage buildings, bringing light and life back to Dalhousie after office hours while inviting people to rediscover the history and architecture that shaped Kolkata.

'A first-time experience for many'The festival reimagines Kolkata’s historic buildings as immersive cultural venues.

With the Kolkata Restorers, led by Mudar Patherya illuminating these landmarks, the event allows audiences to step inside spaces they often pass by every day but rarely experience in this way.At St John’s Church, the evening opened with organ music and hymns — a first-time experience for many in the audience — along with storytelling about the venue’s rich history. The cultural journey then moved to the Royal Insurance Building, where the grand staircase turned into an unexpected stage for lively dance performances, including salsa and flamenco.

Sudarshan Mundra, partner at Kolkata Unforgettable, said the response was overwhelming. “For Father Nanda, vicar of St John's Church and Paromita Iyer, DGM, National Insurance Company, to allow us to do this on a Saturday evening, when Dalhousie usually goes quiet after office hours, and to see the area come alive again — that was truly special.”

A citizen-led cultural revivalThe initiative, entirely funded by citizens, aims to help people reconnect with the city’s heritage in a more engaging way.

While yesterday’s event unfolded in Dalhousie, the organisers plan to host similar experiences in other historic buildings across Kolkata to encourage people to explore and appreciate the city’s architectural legacy. “Our dream came true,” said Shailaja Mundra, partner at Kolkata Unforgettable.

“We wanted to bring Kolkata into the limelight and make people more aware of its history. Through Kolkata Festival by Night, we want people to experience what the city truly represents.” For the organisers, the idea goes beyond sightseeing. By opening up these heritage buildings for cultural events, they hope to inspire owners and stakeholders to see the potential of such spaces and preserve them while making them accessible to the public.