We the Team Pragya
Pragya Cultural Centre began its journey on 16th February , 2021 as a registered Society in Kolkata.Over the years, the organisation has been able to establish itself as a notable Cultural Unit in cultural hub in Bengal.
Today, Drama Unit of the organisation is having many accolades , which includes many prestigious performance be it in India like NSD International Festival or in abroad. In its journey , we realised that we need to be an integral part of the society where we can do good for the people.
The organisation identified few area , where there is a need for us to contribute. In this direction we decided to have babby’s steps first because of our limited financial ability.
We conduct Awareness Programmes at grassroot level through. Some of the area of focus are:
1. Cancer
2. Child Marriage
3. Superstition
4. Child Rights and POSCO
5. General social and health awareness etc.
By doing so we realised that Pragya need to reach people. In addition to our centre based activities , the Organisation is now working on an integrated Programme in Tribal areas of Bengal.We have now established village wing of the organisation in Kheadaha I block of South 24 Parganas covering 10 tribal villages where tribes , .viz., Oraon , Munda , Santals, Bhumijas etc. live for centuries.
In our initial study we observed that these people are deprived of many things comparing to rest of the Society.Although, children frequent local schools, they were required to be provided value Education in alternate mode.
We started in Pailen Tribal village at the beginning. Now activities are spread over all villages.
We follow alternate mode of learning for them. Through cultural activities like theatre , performance we get them better educated in a systematic way.
Despite financial constraints, with meagre helps from others, we have established a small library for them. A computer learning centre is there for both children and adults. An adult education centre has been established for ladies. For physical fitness , A football Academy has been established in 2020 with support from office of the SP, Bauipur Police District. A coaching centre is going on at Boinala Village for school students under support from Sonarpur Police Station.
Considering vulnerable state of the tribal children we are silently working to protect them from mishaps and oppression.
In this area WB Child Rights Commission is supporting us. It may be noted that due to POSCO, we can not provide details of cases being handled directly or indirectly by us.
In doing so gradually , Pragya Cultural Centre developed huge trust amongst the villagers and we are now an integral part of them. In turn we have been able to build up a huge team of 350 plus tribal actors/performers.
In 2022 we have now established our own open air theatre “ BASA” at Boynala Tribal Village in Kheadaha I , South 24 Parganas, WB.We have launched a new programme “ BASAY BAROMASYA” where on every 3rd Sunday of the month , there will be performance by our theatre group and other artists. Simultaneously, we will be sharing this platform to other groups to perform. This is going to be a regular Cultural destination in days to come.
The organisation is also working with special girl children of Antranga , a special school for mentally handicapped girls at Pujali Budge Budge.
Pragya Cultural Centre has entered into its 22nd year of journey in the field of Theatre, cultural and other social activities from its incorporation as a Society on 16th February, 2001.
The Organization meanwhile is in huge growth trajectory, be it Theatrical / training / workshops / performance /projects or otherwise.
The year 2021-22 again began with 2nd phase of Pandemic stage. We, however continued our activities with zeal but with full adherence to the pandemic norms .
In this mission , incidentally many tribal artists joined us on whole time basis and started to work with us.
Since live performance was not allowed , we concentrated more skill development, training , rehearsal and practices. This gave an impetus to make productions when pandemic was over.
Many new talents are unearthed and they are devotedly working with us. Our various theatrical productions involving them shows how dedicatedly they are working. In addition to that , artists having multiple skills like , music, Rhythm etc. are being trained with special care and focus .
The Ubuntu Kolkata Project is completely focussed on tribal community in Bengal and working at absolutely grass root level under Umbrella of Pragya Cultural Centre.
Together We can
Our Team
