At the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, an engaging stage play supported by the National Jute Board took centre stage not to debate fiction, but to spotlight one of India’s most ancient and important natural fibres: jute. Through dramatic storytelling, the performance didn’t just entertain; it educated visitors about sustainability, the environmental importance of biodegradable materials, and how traditional industries like jute can help tackle modern ecological challenges.
Author: Aashiya Jain | EQmint | Sustainability News
A Stage with a Message
Book fairs are usually about books, authors and literary discussions. But at the Kolkata Book Fair this year, held from 22 January to 3 February 2026 at Central Park in Salt Lake, a different kind of performance drew crowds a stage play that wove narrative and advocacy into a powerful message about sustainability and environmental awareness.
Backing from the National Jute Board gave the play an added dimension of purpose. Rather than simply extolling the virtues of a fibre that many in eastern India grow up seeing everywhere from bags to rugs the production showed how jute can be a viable, eco friendly alternative to plastics, which continue to plague the environment.
What made the performance distinct was how easily it blended culture with conscience. Audiences weren’t prepped for a lecture they came for a theatrical experience yet they left with a heightened appreciation for how everyday materials like jute can matter in the global fight against pollution.
Why Jute Still Matters
To many visitors, jute is familiar simply as a physical commodity: the material behind sacks and ropes. But the play gave it depth, framing jute as an answer to some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.
Unlike plastics, which take decades if not centuries to break down, jute is biodegradable and renewable. India is one of the world’s largest producers of jute and jute products, a legacy rooted in Bengal’s fertile plains. The National Jute Board’s involvement in the fair and the associated play highlighted how traditional industries can be aligned with modern sustainability goals.
A Reflective Pause Amid Celebration
The Kolkata Book Fair is known as Asia’s largest book fair, drawing millions of visitors every year. In 2026 alone, sales reached an impressive ₹32 crore over 12 days, with more than 32 lakh people walking through its gates figures that marked an increase over previous editions.
In that sea of book lovers, the jute play stood out not just for its subject matter but for its tone of gentle persuasion. Theatre like literature has long been a mirror to society, and this production used that tradition wisely, offering audiences both emotion and insight.
Many people who attended later said they found themselves thinking differently about jute: not just as an old world fibre, but as part of a sustainable future. Mothers who brought their children appreciated how the play made sustainability accessible, while students and young visitors saw a creative way of merging art with real-world challenges.
Culture Meets Consciousness
At its heart, the Kolkata Book Fair is more than a marketplace for books. It’s a cultural festival where ideas are discussed, debated, and celebrated. The inclusion of the jute play reminded attendees that books and performances alike can catalyse conversations that matter beyond the fairgrounds.
By placing sustainability on the stage, organisers sent a subtle but powerful message: the stories we tell whether through words on a page or actors on a platform can inspire change long after the curtain falls. And in a world looking for greener paths forward, that was a message worth hearing.
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Resource Link : TOI
