Safed Baradari Market Exhibit Chronicles Kolkata's Historic Wholesale Trade Legacy

An immersive marketplace installation at Safed Baradari, presented as part of the ongoing Sanatkada cultural initiative, offers a curated exploration of Kolkata's historic wholesale commerce networks. The exhibit meticulously reconstructs elements of the city's traditional 'Boro Bazaar' system, providing visitors with both a sensory experience and an analytical framework for understanding the economic and social structures that have shaped regional trade for generations. Through carefully staged stalls and interpretive displays, the installation traces the evolution of wholesale market practices, highlighting their role in sustaining local economies and fostering community interdependence. This presentation serves not merely as nostalgic recreation but as formal documentation of commercial heritage, emphasizing how traditional market systems have adapted to contemporary economic pressures while maintaining cultural continuity. The exhibit positions itself as an intelligence report on urban economic anthropology, offering insights into the resilience of Kolkata's mercantile traditions amid modernization. By contextualizing these market practices within broader historical and socioeconomic frameworks, the installation provides valuable perspective on sustainable commerce models and their potential applications in contemporary urban planning.