The 1940s were an epoch of transformation globally. At the beginning of World War II in September 1939, India was deeply embroiled in the struggle for independence. Till then, Calcutta was a thriving metropolis and, commercially, culturally, and politically, one of India’s two major urban
Slow-moving, financially unviable, waste of space. In a nutshell, that is how most modern Kolkatans have been conditioned to view trams. Why ‘conditioned’? Well the popular perception of trams in Kolkata has been shaped by the policies of successive governments, but primarily those of the
While taking a walk down the hustling and bustling stretch of Raja Basanta Roy Road, I hardly ever realized this road hid vignettes of a revolutionary past. After all, we always relate North Kolkata to the Old Kolkata and a South Kolkata road that is
It was in 19th century, that one of the wealthiest members of Calcutta’s Jewish community David Joseph Ezra, settled on a 350m long street in the heart of bustling British Capital of India. Even today that street stands, crowded with shops and pedestrians. As per
ABengalis are born with sweet tooth – commentators may not see eye to eye with this statement but even the staunchest opponent would agree that Bengalis have this peculiar affinity towards sweets, a till-death-do-we-part-kind of love affair that simply keeps them going. Sweets is an
Amar bhai er rokte rangano ekushe February/ Ami ki bhulite pari’ (How can I forget the blood soaked 21st February/ soaked in the blood of my brother) These lines from a song have transcended the mere boundaries of the written word or the musical note. They
In the good old days, not so long ago, a number of letter boxes painted in red or otherwise made their presence felt by hanging on a tree or on a pole or on old doors of Kolkata to be filled with letters. But in
What's happening around you this week? Check out EVENT : ‘ODYSSEY OF THE LAST ONE DECADE 2011- 2022’ Solo Art Exhibition of SWAGATA BOSE DATE : 21ST Feb – 25TH Feb VENUE : MAYA ART SPACE ,KOLKATA TIME : 2 – 8 pm EVENT : FAFAI to organize 25th International Convention
Many of our Bengali acquaintances in America have left for the other world one after another and the latest to join the journey is Sujan-Da (Sujan Dasgupta), who breathed his last on January 18 at his South Kolkata residence. I am stunned and shocked to hear
Some arrivals come as a harbinger of Spring, spreading joy and happiness, with a plethora of new experiences to savour in the midst of a mundane life or even to spice up the weekends. Being in the midst of nature with animals and birds around