IPTA Affirms Commitment to Cultural Resistance
THE 17th West Bengal State Conference of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) concluded with a powerful commitment from delegates. They resolved to move beyond mere discussion, prioritising creative action as the central strategy for public engagement and mobilization.
The conference of artists and cultural activists took place from November 14 to 16, 2025, at Salt Lake, Bidhannagar. The venue, Purbashree Auditorium of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, was named 'Ritwik Ghatak and Sukanta Bhattacharya Nagar,' with the main stage being the 'Salil Chowdhury Mancha.'
This three-day conference held during the period historically significant as 'Ten Days That Shook the World’, served as a crucial meeting point for members of the Gananatya Sangha. Their primary objectives were to review the past, observe the present, and collectively determine the methods and procedures for future creative work. The conference saw participation from delegates representing 22 districts across the state, underscoring the theme of culture and political unity.
The conference was inaugurated by educationalist Pabitra Sarkar, following the flag hoisting by outgoing State President Hiranmoy Ghoshal. Prof. Sarkar stressed the inseparability of the cultural and political movements, urging IPTA to actively combat the ongoing "attacks on education and unity" through its art.
Outgoing State Secretary Dibyendu Chattopadhyay presented the editorial report, emphasizing a critical shift from mere "words" to tangible "creation" as the necessary approach to tackle the national crises. Chattopadhyay stated, "People across the country, state, and the entire world are in deep crisis. The central government is attempting to impose its policy of Hindutva on all sections of society, including the cultural sphere. India's culture of pluralism is being destroyed. Just as the public is fighting against this, we, the cultural workers, are equally engaged in this struggle."
The conference also featured congratulatory messages from the leaders of allied movements: Kaninika Ghosh (AIDWA), Rajat Bandyopadhyay (WB Democratic Writers and Artists' Association), and Piyush Dhar (Kishore Bahini/Pioneers).
The delegate session was energized by a variety of cultural performances alongside speeches. Following the presentations and discussions, Piyush Sarkar stressed the necessity of new, contemporary cultural forms. Specifically, he called for modern songs and dances that would capture the current political and social mood, rather than merely adhering to tradition. The conference successfully adopted twelve key resolutions outlining the work plan for IPTA's upcoming term.
The conference concluded with the election of a 146-member State Committee. Piyush Sarkar was newly elected as President, and Dibyendu Chatterjee was re-elected as Secretary. The renowned singer Subhaprasad Nandi Majumder was chosen as the Editor of the organization's official mouthpiece.
(Samprikta Bose)
