Kolkata Chapter

On 9 June 2026, the Architectural Fellowship Evening was held at the IIA West Bengal premises, Kasba, Kolkata, under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Architects, West Bengal Chapter. The gathering brought together architects, academics, and cultural practitioners, forming a platform for exchange on contemporary architectural discourse. The occasion marked the international launch of Rafiq Azam: Old Dhaka – New Story: Architecture in Bangladesh, edited by Rosa Maria Falvo and published by Rizzoli New York, highlighting the publication’s contribution to global architectural thought.

The evening incorporated a Keynote Lecture by Prof. Rafiq Azam, outlining his philosophy. A subsequent Panel Discussion, moderated by Ar. Alokananda B Mukherjee, featured Ar. Vivek Singh Rathore and Prof. Subhrajit Das. The session examined emerging directions in practice and education, alongside the evolving urban context of the region. A felicitation ceremony followed, during which a shawl was presented to Prof. Azam by Ar. Jyotirmay Addya in recognition of his contribution to the discipline.

The program was attended by Goodwill Ambassador of the world-wide book launch series Ar. Zannat Jui, Ar. Ritam Sarkar, Ar. Malay Kumar Ghosh, and Ar. Asijit Khan, along with Prof. Azam’s family members: Juwayriya Azam(daughter), Md. Zahid Hossain, and Nadira Jahan.

A Book Launch segment was presented with participation from Prof. Azam, Ar. Zannat Jui, guests- Ar. Vivek Singh Rathore, Prof. Subhrajit Das, Ar. Pratik Manna, Debatosh Sahu and family members, marking a key highlight of the evening’s intellectual engagement. The program included a screening of “Between Earth & Light,” offering a reflective visual account of Prof. Azam’s architectural journey and its spatial and emotional dimensions. The evening ended as a focused professional gathering that underscored architecture as a shared cultural and critical practice.