IN PICS | Sundarban Tramjatra: An awareness program on trams in Kolkata and Sundarbans

The City of Joy Kolkata will be witnessing a special four-day festival called ‘Sundarban Tramjatra’ from March 28 to 31.  The festival aims to raise awareness about climate change and its impact on the Sundarbans and Kolkata, both recognised as vulnerable hotspots. 

An artist busy decorating the tram with the life of Sundarban | Salil Bera

The awareness programme also calls attention to the dilapidated state of the trams in Kolkata.

An artist busy decorating the tram ahead of the 'Sundarban Tramjatra' | Salil Bera

Artists were busy decorating a tram to depict the life of Sundarbans. The decorated tram will be travelling from the Esplanade Tram Terminus to two active Kolkata tram routes— Gariahat to Esplanade and Syambazar to Esplanade—offering free rides to the public until 5:30 pm. 

The dilapidated condition of Nonapukur tram workshop | Salil Bera

Roberto D’Andrea, Melbourne tram conductor is excited to be part of this festival. He is the known face to Kolkata tram lovers. 

Esplanade Tram Terminus will become a cultural hub between 4 pm and 9 pm, with workshops, live music, and soundscapes of the Sundarbans. 

The 'Sundarban Tramjatra' aims to raise awareness on climate change and its impact on the Sundarbans and Kolkata trams | Salil Bera

Filmmaker Ashoke Viswanathan will be part of the panel discussion with Melbourne designers Rob Eales and Neal Haslem, Mumbai designer Sangeeth Sankar, and a pata chitra performance by Sarna Chitrakar sharing a folk tale of life systems. 

The dilapidated condition of Nonapukur tram workshop | Salil Bera

The Sundarban Tramjatra Festival Hub will also feature an art installation created by Sumantra Mukherjee.