Kolkata has always been a city where art walks hand in hand with everyday life. From Durga Puja pandals to hand-painted rickshaw panels, creativity breathes in every corner of this cultural capital. This year, the city witnessed something truly spectacular—Kolkata’s largest street Alpona, stretched across a long stretch of road, transforming the street into a vibrant open-air canvas. What made this initiative truly special was the participation of people from all walks of life—students, professional artists, and common citizens—coming together to celebrate tradition in a modern urban space.
The Alpona, traditionally seen in Bengali households during festivals, weddings, and religious occasions, is a decorative floor art made with rice paste or chalk powder. It symbolizes prosperity, purity, and harmony. By bringing this art form out of homes and into the public streets, Kolkata not only showcased its cultural heritage, but also reminded everyone of the collective spirit that the city is known for.
The event began early in the morning. Buckets of colors and chalks were arranged, and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the road surface was clean and ready. Art college students led the design layout, while school children carefully filled patterns with bright hues. Adults, too, didn’t hesitate to join in, taking brushes in hand with smiles and laughter. Many residents came out to watch, cheer, and click photographs, turning the spot into a festive gathering.
The final outcome was stunning. The street bloomed with intricate floral patterns, geometric motifs, and traditional Bengali symbols like alpana lotus and conch shells. The colors reflected the vibrancy of Kolkata itself—rich, expressive, and full of movement. The artistic stretch soon became a popular photo spot, with people sharing images across social media, giving the Alpona a global audience.
More than just a decorative artwork, this project served as a reminder of the power of community art. In a time when people are often busy and disconnected, the Alpona brought them together—hand in hand, brush with brush. It became not just a celebration of culture, but a celebration of unity.
Kolkata once again proved that art doesn’t need walls or galleries—it can live under the open sky, on the streets we walk every day. And in doing so, the city painted not just the road, but everyone’s hearts.