Bird Show at Salt Lake BJ Park: A Fusion of Avian Splendor and Cultural Heritage

The Bird Show at Salt Lake BJ Park, held annually during January, is a vibrant and eagerly anticipated event in Kolkata. Known officially as Bengal's Cultural & Nature Festival, this event was initiated by Mayor Krishna Chakraborty, who served as the chairperson of the board of administrators for the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Now in its eighth year, the festival has grown to include a wide array of cultural performances that complement the avian displays, although the 2024 edition saw a shift towards these cultural activities rather than the bird show itself.

Location: BJ Park, Sector 2, Saltlake, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal near BJ Market বিজে মার্কেট, সল্টলেক সিটি and BJ Block Sarodotsab Committee office. PIN Code - 700091

About

The Salt Lake BJ Block Bird festival, aimed at celebrating the rich biodiversity of the region as well as its cultural heritage, attracts a diverse crowd from across Kolkata and beyond. Inaugurated by prominent personalities, including film stars, the event garners substantial media attention and public interest. The 2022 edition featured actresses Ritabhari Chakraborty and Sohini Sarkar as chief guests, who helped draw even greater crowds to the park.

Educational and Interactive Components

The BJ Block Bird, Sector II, Bidhannagar show serves as an educational platform where questions such as "What do birds eat?", "How long do they sleep?", and "Are they loud at home?" are addressed. This interactive component ensures that the event is not only entertaining but also informative, particularly for children who, along with their families, queue up to witness the varied bird species on display.

Bird Fair Highlights

The Bird Fair has consistently showcased a stunning variety of birds. In 2022, attendees could see two-foot-long Macaws in scarlet, red, and green, alongside Silver Golden Pheasants and White Indian Fantail Pigeons, affectionately known in Bengali as "Lokkhi Payera". The cages featured colorful Eclectus Parrots, African Grey Parrots, and Jacobin Pigeons with distinctive brown feather hoods.

The 2023 Bird Fair turned BJ Park into a haven for bird enthusiasts, with exotic breeds like the Toco Toucan, Monk Parakeet from South America, Harlequin Macaw from Colombia, and Chattering Lory from Indonesia drawing particular interest.

According to Bapai Sen, secretary of the bird lovers’ group: "These birds are a part of our families. They stay with us at our houses so they are quite used to having people around them. At home, they live in open cages but as this is a show and there are so many variety of birds, we have to keep them in cages. These are all exotic birds. We also want to spread the message that if we cage our local birds then the natural balance will be effected so we pet all exotic birds and keep them as our children in our houses.”

Cultural Events

Beyond the avian attractions, the festival includes significant cultural events. For instance, in 2023, a 16-member Chhau dance troupe from Baghmundi, Purulia, performed various acts, including narratives from Indian mythology like Mahishasuramardini and Ram Sita Bibaho, integrating traditional storytelling with the thematic focus of the festival.

Reactions

The show is very well received by children and adults alike, eliciting enthusiastic responses from audiences of all ages. Below are some reactions:

Children's Reactions: Children are particularly fascinated by the variety and vividness of the birds presented. Their curiosity is piqued as they ask numerous questions about the birds' habits, diets, and habitats. Many children express sheer joy and amazement at seeing such exotic creatures up close, often for the first time. They are especially captivated by interactive sessions where they can learn about the importance of wildlife conservation in an engaging and accessible manner. 

Adults' Reactions: Adults appreciate the educational value of the show, expressing satisfaction with how it raises awareness about avian species that are rare or endangered. Many are pleased to see such initiatives that promote environmental education and wildlife conservation. Some adults, particularly bird enthusiasts and environmentalists, commend the organization of the event, noting the meticulous care taken to ensure the birds' well-being during the show. Others enjoy the cultural components of the festival, finding the blend of nature and traditional performances both unique and enriching.

General Feedback: Overall, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees praising the show as a meaningful way to spend time with family while learning about biodiversity and cultural heritage. The combination of educational content, visual spectacle, and cultural performances makes the Bird Show at Salt Lake BJ Park a standout event that many look forward to each year.

Conclusion

The Bird Show at Salt Lake BJ Park represents a unique blend of nature and culture, offering a comprehensive experience that educates, entertains, and engages attendees of all ages. It continues to be a highlight of Kolkata’s cultural calendar, embodying the city's spirit and its commitment to celebrating its natural and cultural richness. Each year, the festival not only showcases the beauty of avian life but also reinforces the communal bonds through shared experiences of art and nature.

Source:

• https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/all-bengal-bird-lovers-organisation-hosts-bird-show-at-salt-lake-bj-park/cid/1853408
• https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/of-bright-plumes-fantastic-fins/cid/1909577