From the Depths of Darkness : Recitation Workshop

A Recitation Workshop by Smt. Bratati Bandyopadhyay, a renowned personality in the field of recitation ( Abriti ) was inaugurated on December 4, 2006, at Presidency Correctional Home, Kolkata. A total of 28 convict inmates from different correctional homes of the State took part in the workshop.

A recording of the recitation by 14 inmates – 8 male and 6 female, was done at HMV–SaReGaMa Studio and an audio CD titled "Andhokarer Utso Hote" ( From the Depths of Darkness) containing poetry pieces by renowned poets of Bengal and rendered by the inmates was released by Sri Biswanath Chowdhury, Minister-in-charge, Jails Department on 11th October, 2007 at Sisir Manch, Kolkata. The release of the audio CD was followed by a live performance of excerpts from the audio CD by the inmates who were taken out of Presidency Correctional Home on 6-hour parole for this purpose. This is probably the first venture of its kind any where in India.

Brotherhood Beyond Boundaries : A Dance Production by Ms Alokonanda Roy

A six month long workshop for the inmates was undertaken at Presidency Correctional Home under the direction of eminent danseuse Ms Alokonanda Roy since April, 2007.

A dance production entitled ‘Brotherhood Beyond Boundaries’ has been created by her with participation of male and female inmates using various martial and folk dance forms of India. Around 60 inmates from different correctional homes of the State took part in the workshop.

A stage performance of the dance programme was held on December 13, 2007 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata as part of Uday Shankar Dance Festival’07.