December 4, 1908. A trial was in progress at the Khulna District Court against a poet charged with sedition. Rabindranath Tagore was summoned to appear before the court and record his statement against the defendant. But the ludicrous fact was the accused poet had dedicated
People have been eating outside of the home for millennia, buying a quick snack from a street vendor or taking a travel break at a roadside inn for a bowl of stew and a pint of mead. In the West, most early versions of the
Bengal has always been the land of music and musicians. But one instrument that has hardly been much talked about is the wind instrument of Shehnai. Though this instrument is often mis-understood as one that is popular in only North India, interestingly Bengal had produced
Under British rule, Calcutta grew into a thriving metropolis. From the late 18th century, social and cultural activities in Calcutta were largely determined by what the British liked, including recreational activities. The most prominent among then was theatre. In 1786, the Calcutta Gazette, an English language
The steaming Kung Pao Chicken with all its spices intact, no more spreads the fun of one of the oldest Chinese restaurants of Kolkata, Waldorf. The majestic exterior has given way to cheap modern shops, and the original outlet turned into a small food joint
Rabindranath Tagore had once written ‘Chitto jetha bhoyshunnyo’ (Where the mind is without fear). The poem can be read as a list of prayers expressing the Nobel laureate’s vision of a free nation. Among many other wishes, he prays to the Almighty to awaken his
We become a nation and join in the victory celebrations of our badminton stars like Saina Nehwal or Srikanth Kidambi or P.V. Sindhu when they return home with trophies after winning prestigious tournaments abroad. Badminton is indeed a popular sport in India today, but though
The Birbhum zamindari was created as a sort of military tenure by Murshid Kuli Khan, the Subedar of the province (1717-1727). The Raja of Naogore, holding the zamindari, partly as a semi-independent chief and partly as a fief-holder, was responsible for the defense of its
Rickshaw pullers of Kolkata have always come to the rescue of residents. Be it monsoon rains or supplying materials during COVID 19 lockdown from house to house, they have been the messiah for all citizens. Close to 1,000 hand-pulled rickshaw pullers still ply in the
It might have been 27 years since the versatile actor, director, writer and playwright, Utpal Dutt passed away -- yet in addition to the scores of film buffs that rediscover him, legions of new admirers join the ever-growing list of the thespian’s fans. Pioneer of