Bhasha Sanskriti Milan Utsav 2026: A Grand Celebration of Language & Heritage

Kolkata stood witness to a profound and glorious celebration of language, literature, and culture on the occasion of International Mother Language Day-February 21st. The 21st edition of the 'Bhasha Sanskriti Milan Utsav 2026', jointly organized by the Guwahati-based Byatikram Group and Meraki Associates, was held at Vivanta Kolkata, EM Bypass.

For over two decades, the Byatikram Group has been observing this historic day with a commitment to linguistic diversity, multilingual harmony, and the preservation of mother tongues. This year's festival reached a unique dimension through a seamless blend of literary discussions, cultural tributes, and the prestigious 'Ekushey Samman' ceremony.

Literary Discourse and 'Meet the Author'

The event commenced with an insightful discussion centered on the literature and thoughts of distinguished author and Vedic scholar Acharya Shubhendu Sarkar. The session featured eminent personalities including world-renowned scientist Professor Rajive Ganguly, Jadavpur University professor Asis Paul, historian and archaeological researcher Palash Chaturvedi, Chairman of Raghunath Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Sukumal Maity, and social worker Gulam Ahmed. In his address, Acharya Shubhendu Sarkar highlighted the philosophical depth of Indian civilization and the necessity of reconnecting modern society with indigenous knowledge systems. A major highlight of this segment was the book-signing ceremony of his works, "INDUS Knowledge of Life" and "BHUMI: The Sacred Land", followed by an interactive 'Meet the Author' session with researchers and bibliophiles.

The Ekushey Samman 2026 Awards

The evening's main attraction was the presentation of the Ekushey Samman 2026*, recognizing outstanding contributions to language, literature, arts, journalism, social service, and cultural preservation. This year's awardees included:

Subodh Sarkar (Poet and Litterateur)

Iman Chakraborty (Singer and Actress)

Bratati Bandyopadhyay (Elocutionist and Founder of 'Bratati Parampara')

Acharya Shubhendu Sarkar (Author and Scholar)

Professor Dipak Bhattacharya (Author and Senior Counsel, Supreme Court of India)

Snehasis Sur (President, Kolkata Press Club)

Dr. Sudipto Chatterjee (Physician-Author and Secretary of ISISAR)

Professor Suman Gun (Poet and Essayist)

Ritacheta Goswami (Cultural Activist)

Srabanti Bandyopadhyay (Journalist and Singer)

Sampa Das (Fashion Entrepreneur and pioneer in reviving Assam's Golden Muga)

Parimal Dey (Social Worker, Kolkata)

The felicitation was marked by standing ovations and thunderous applause, expressing collective gratitude toward these stalwarts of language and culture. Upon receiving the honor, Iman Chakraborty emotionally remembered legendary Assamese artist Zubeen Garg and dedicated her award to his memory. Poet Subodh Sarkar lauded the Byatikram Group, describing the initiative as a strong bridge of language and literature between Assam and Bengal.

Voices of Visionaries

Speaking at the event, Dr. Saumen Bhartiya, head of the Byatikram Group, stated:

"For twenty-one years, the Bhasha Sanskriti Milan Utsav has been building bridges between generations, geographies, and languages. In this era of globalization, protecting one's mother tongue is not just an emotion; it is our responsibility."

Advocate Seema Sharma, Co-Partner of Meraki Associates and Supreme Court lawyer, described the Ekushay Samman as a powerful recognition of linguistic heritage. Soheli Sheel Sarkar, lawyer at the Gauhati High Court, emphasized that collective efforts in cultural preservation strengthen national unity.

Distinguished Honors and Cultural Finale

Several other dignitaries were also honored during the ceremony, including:

Randeep Dam (ACS), Resident Commissioner, Assam House, Kolkata.

Jaya Seal Ghosh, Actress and Dancer.

Dr. Sangeeta Sarma, Academician and Journalist.

Prof. Dr. Sumita Choudhury and Dr. Purabi Bhattacharya, Academicians and Authors.

Saikat Roy (CMRI), Anup Bhakta (Healthcare Professional), Malabika Roy (Advocate), and others.

The concluding segment featured soul-stirring recitations by Subhadip Chakraborty and Arup Jas, followed by melodic performances by Chandrima Bhattacharya, Abhik Mallick, and Sridhara Gupta. The evening ended on a poignant note with a dance performance to the timeless anthem 'Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano', paying a deep tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement.

Through this festival, the Byatikram Group once again reaffirmed that language is identity, language is culture, and it is through language that the soul and history of a nation flow.