Official Inauguration of the Kolkata Chapter of Shikor Global Literary Forum and Publishers

Official Inauguration of the Kolkata Chapter of Shikor Global Literary Forum and Publishers.
A Multilingual Literary Evening Featuring the Launch of the Commemorative Souvenir and the Poetry Collection Ashes and Ink by poet Kaberi Mukherjee.

On 24 October 2025, Shikor Global Literary Forum and Publishers, an international Bengali literary organisation, hosted a remarkable multilingual literary gathering to celebrate the formal inauguration of its Kolkata Chapter.

Literature is a subtle yet profound creative force; a single word can awaken an entire universe of thought within the human soul. This spirit was vividly present at the event, which drew numerous poets, writers, and art enthusiasts from Kolkata, transforming the evening into a vibrant confluence of voices and expressions.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 1998, Shikor (meaning Root) emerged from a unique vision: to build bridges across continents, cultures, and intellectual spheres through language, literature and the shared human experience. Over time, Shikor evolved from being merely a literary publication into an international literary movement, uniting the poetic voices of Bangladesh, the British-Bangladeshi diaspora, and writers from across the world.

In its 25-year journey, Shikor has become a symbol of trust, creative exploration, and literary belonging. In 2018, with the establishment of Global Poet and Poetry, the organisation expanded its engagement with English and multilingual literary communities, further strengthening its cultural and poetic dialogue across Bangladesh, India, the UK, the US, Canada and Europe.

In continuation of this historic journey, the inauguration of the Kolkata Chapter took place through an aesthetically enriched literary evening. The evening began with a melodious welcome performance by Sanchari Banerjee, which set a soothing and heartfelt ambiance for the audience.

The formal inaugural address was delivered by Kaveri Mukherjee, Co-Editor of Shikor and Global Poet and Poetry.In her speech, she reflected on the glorious heritage of Shikor, its present vision, and future aspirations, announcing that the Kolkata Chapter will play a significant role in amplifying Shikor’s global literary mission.

Although Founder and Chief Editor, Poet Faruk Ahmed Roni, could not be physically present, his message of blessings and inspiration was shared with the audience. He stated: “Shikor today is a global family where poetry is the language of the soul. Literature connects humanity, and that connection is Shikor.”

A welcome note on behalf of the Kolkata Chapter was delivered by Poet Saumyajit Acharya.
The literary discussion sessions formed the intellectual centerpiece of the event, featuring two distinguished speakers: the eminent poet & Literary Thinker Prabal Kumar Basu, who discussed the theme “Classical Indian Language Traditions.” In his insightful presentation, he explored the profound legacy of India’s classical linguistic heritage, tracing its historical continuity, transitions through cultural epochs, and its enduring influence on contemporary poetic expression. His discussion highlighted how classical diction and aesthetic sensibilities continue to shape modern literary imagination.

The Renowned Writer, Critic & Translator Shyamal Bhattacharya delivered a scholarly presentation on “Multiculturality in Eastern Indian Literature.”
He analytically examined how diverse linguistic streams, regional histories, and layered cultural identities intersect within Eastern Indian literature. His talk shed light on how this multicultural synthesis enriches literary forms, narrative voices, and thematic depth in the region’s creative writing.
Both speakers offered intellectually rich and aesthetically profound perspectives that deeply engaged the audience.

Book Launch and Critical Reflections which the poetry collection Ashes and Ink by Kaveri Mukherjee was formally unveiled during the evening.
The work was thoughtfully reviewed and discussed by Nandita De and Mousumi Bhattacharya. Their reflections highlighted the poetic journey of inner womanhood, self-searching themes, emotional depth and the evocative imagery present throughout the collection.
Additionally, Priyanka Banerjee discussed the anthology Poetry for Peace, emphasising how poetry can be a medium for global peace, empathy, and humanitarian unity.

Original Bengali poetry reading by poet Kallol Dutta, Tapas Gupta, Soma Palit Ghosh, Amitava Sarkar, Uttam Kumar Das, Sangeeta Mukherjee, Abhijit Dutta, Tapas Roy, Sumalya Maitra, Nilanjan Chattopadhyay, Shankar Basu, Debarghya Sen, Ranjana Bhattacharya, Ela Basu, Soma Dutta, Pinaki Basu, Rahul Dasgupta, Subit Bandyopadhyay, Sanghita Bandyopadhyay, Debdas Rajak, Ajay Bhattacharya, among others.English Poetry Reading by Somdatta Mitra, Shubhendu Kar and Nandita De.
Punjabi poetry reading by poet Bhupinder Singh Bashar and musical rendition of poetry by Saheli Choudhury.

The event was gracefully anchored with precision and warmth by Piyal Roy, assistant editor of Shikor.

Message of the Organisation
“Literature is not merely writing, it is a bridge of emotion and a relationship of the heart. The Kolkata Chapter of Shikor will strengthen this global literary bond.”

Faruk Ahmed Roni
Founder & Editor
Shikor Global Literary Forum and Publishers
Global Poet and Poetry

Contact:
shikor25th@gmail.com, globalpoetandpoetry@gmail.com
www.globalpoetandpoetry.com
shikor25th.co.uk