Neighborhood Diaries

Neighborhood Diaries A heritage project, initiated by Shapno Ekhon , chronicling and documenting the oral history of Chittaranjan Park But how did it all begin?

Call it mini Kolkata or Bengali paradise, we are undoubtedly referring to our very own Chittaranjan Park, the melting pot of Bengali culture. Far away from Bengal and situated in South Delhi, C.R Park over the years has built its own unique character. How about going back in time and discovering stories and events that give C.R. Park a uniqueness in the urban milieu of Delhi. Shapno Ekhon launches

an Oral History project titled ‘Neighbourhood Diaries’ in the summer of 2017.This heritage education project for children envisions to research and creatively record the rich socio-cultural political history of Chittaranjan Park and its people by tracing their narratives and stories. The Project will have a lively process through which children engage in revealing conversations with older residents and local organizations of their neighborhood along with finding and preserving material evidence from the past and the present. The culmination will be a creative interactive exhibition and a book on collected narratives and archived material evidence illustrated by children. This publication is envisaged to be of immense value for the preservation of the oral and documentary history of a locality that has been changing its character very fast.

~Some evenings stay with you~Shapno Ekhon was honored to collaborate with Sohail Hashmi for an intimate talk — *‘Guli. K...
26/04/2026

~Some evenings stay with you~

Shapno Ekhon was honored to collaborate with Sohail Hashmi for an intimate talk — *‘Guli. Kuche. Katre’* — where history walked out of textbooks and into our studio.

Sohail Hashmi is a historian, heritage chronicler, and one of Delhi’s most beloved storytellers. For decades, he has mapped the forgotten lanes, layered cultures, and everyday lives that built our cities. His walks and talks don’t just share facts — they make you _feel_ the city.

We’re deeply grateful to Sohail Sir for visiting our studio, for his time, warmth, and for reminding us that every corner of the city has a story worth telling.

Here’s to more conversations that keep memory alive.

We are fully booked for the talk by Sohail Hashmi.Please msg 9871497092 to check back a day before for availablity.
20/04/2026

We are fully booked for the talk by Sohail Hashmi.

Please msg 9871497092 to check back a day before for availablity.

Neighborhood Diaries, the oral history initiative by Shapno Ekhon, is back with its lecture series.Come and listen to he...
16/04/2026

Neighborhood Diaries, the oral history initiative by Shapno Ekhon, is back with its lecture series.
Come and listen to heritage activist, filmmaker and writer Sohail Hashmi, as he transports us to a world of narrow alleys and gullies of Old Delhi with his wonderful storytelling.
Be ready to be immersed in 'Guli, Kuche, Katre' a talk by Sohail Hashmi, a passionate crusader for heritage conservation.

Saturday, 25th April
Time 7 pm
SE studio
F- 1121 , Basement
CR Park

Please msg 9871497092 to book your space.

Neighborhood Diaries, an oral history initiative on CR Park, by Shapno Ekhon was invited to participate in 'Melbandhan' ...
23/03/2026

Neighborhood Diaries, an oral history initiative on CR Park, by Shapno Ekhon was invited to participate in 'Melbandhan' EBDP's Founders Day Celebrations, held on 21st March at CR Park Kali Mandir Society.

Shahana Chakravarty , the program lead of Neighborhood Diaries and author of 'And They Lived: Early Years of CR Park', published by Shapno Ekhon participated in a lively discussion 'The Story of CR Park' along with Prof PK Bhattacharya about his book on East Bengal 'Chinnomuler Shadh Puron' who enlivened the session with beautiful poetry and songs.
The session was energetically and skillfully moderated by Joy Dev who by his presence and warmth drew out the best from the works of both the authors.

The process and significance of Neighborhood Diaries, an oral history program on CR Park run by Shapno Ekhon for the last nine years was shared during the course of the discussion.

An innovative travelling exhibition conceptualized and designed by Deepesh Sangtani was on display during the event. The exhibition, a collection of archival photos and choti bois, is inspired by the book, 'And They Lived: Early Years of CR Park'

Our heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for inviting us to the beautiful event!

Please get in touch with us through messages or calls (+91 98714 97092) to get a copy of 'And they Lived: Early Years of CR Park' and Living the Memories: Chronicles of Chittaranjan Park' - publications of Shapno Ekhon.

18/03/2026

Grab your copy of
' And They Lived: Early Years of CR Park '
&
' Living the Memories: Chronicles of Chittaranjan Park'
Published by Shapno Ekhon
Call/ msg 9871497092



Markets of CR Park Old giving way to the newLevelling of the old structures of Mkt no.2 by the DDA for re- development.Y...
11/03/2026

Markets of CR Park
Old giving way to the new

Levelling of the old structures of Mkt no.2 by the DDA for re- development.
Year: 2002

Source: Collection of images, Neighborhood Diaries - an oral history initiative by Shapno Ekhon



Presenting the second edition of the podcast series, Neighborhood talks, an initiative by Neighborhood Diaries, a herita...
03/03/2026

Presenting the second edition of the podcast series, Neighborhood talks, an initiative by Neighborhood Diaries, a heritage project initiated by Shapno Ekhon , chronicling the oral history of Chittaranjan Park.

Surjavo Sengupta, a student of Art and Aesthetics, JNU in conversation with Ashish Ghosh, a celebrated theatre scholar and performance artist.

The full episode is live on our YouTube channel!

Ashish Jethu, a long-term resident of Chittaranjan Park (CR Park) and children’s theatre activist, traces his involvement in theatre to his early cultural up...

Neighbourhood Diaries, an oral history initiative by Shapno Ekhon has been collecting narratives of people and places of...
27/02/2026

Neighbourhood Diaries, an oral history initiative by Shapno Ekhon has been collecting narratives of people and places of Chittaranjan Park. We had a lovely interaction with Mr Satyaranjan Dutta, Ms Manju Dutta and Mr Pijush Dasgupta about the fascinating journey of Maa Tara Restuarant. Get to know many such stories through our upcoming publications.




22/02/2026

Nirmala da, who runs a popular shop in the maacher bajaar of Mkt no.3, CR Park, shares how the market looked and felt like in the 1970s.
Neighborhood Diaries, an oral history initiative by Shapno Ekhon continues its journey of collecting narratives of people and places of CR Park

We will soon be bringing you more stories through our upcoming publications!



Address

New Delhi, India 110019
Chittaranjan Park
HTTP://WWW.CITYPINCODE.IN/PINCODEOF.JSP?AREA=CHITTRANJAN%20PARK%20&DISTRICT=SOUT

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9891159525

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