Kolkata’s sky lantern festival celebrates 100 years

Kolkata’s much-loved 'Fanush Utsav,' the century-old sky lantern festival, brought magic to the skies above Bholanath Dham and Dhar Villa on the occasion of Kali Pujo, marking 100 years of this vibrant tradition. Hosted by Ajay Dutta, who meticulously crafts and releases the sky lanterns himself, the event sees families and enthusiasts gather annually to launch intricate, handcrafted fanush, filling the night with a gentle, flickering glow that celebrates Kolkata’s artistic spirit and communal warmth.

Dutta, whose family has hosted the festival for generations, reflected on its transformation over the years. “It all started back in 1925,” he said. “Initially, it was a small family affair for fun, but it’s now a grand public celebration. People from all over Bengal come to see it – this year, someone even travelled from Midnapore.”

This year’s celebration was dedicated to Bengal’s cultural icons, featuring lantern designs that honoured figures who shaped the state’s rich heritage. Themes celebrated icons from Jamini Roy’s vibrant paintings and the traditional Kalighat pattachitra, to scenes from Satyajit Ray’s legendary films. Musical tributes to legends like Suchitra Mitra, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and others also echoed through some of the lanterns.

“With a spacious thakurdalan (ancestral courtyard), it’s easier for me to make fanush and host the event here,” Dutta explained, noting that the lack of space in today’s urban neighbourhoods has shifted the festival from family homes to a larger public spectacle.

Although Kolkata celebrated the 100th year of 'Fanush Utsav', the festival continues to unite people from all walks of life, embodying the city’s enduring love for tradition, artistry, and togetherness.