Nearly two decades ago, as a nervous young reporter, I was assigned to do an interview with Soumitra Chattopadhyay, my first meeting with him. Because he had very little time to spare, he asked me to ride in his car, so we could finish the
Goddess Kali has been conceptualized and expressed in myriad ways by artists. Songs of piety praising her various facets are galore in Bengal as do artistic expressions, depicting her divinity. It is difficult to zero in on when and how the worship of Goddess Kali
Her flowing black mane covers her nudity as she represents the Tantrik Shakti of the Universe. But have you ever wondered who crafts those curly hair of Goddess Kali? Parbatipur is a small village around 40 km away from the city centre of Howrah. It
“The birth of two spiritual leaders within a short span of a few thousand years is remarkable and of immense importance. I had this very strong conviction within me that Buddha was reborn as Christ. Buddha had predicted that he would return after 500 years,
A baul singing to his freedom with an Ektara, through the lush green meadows of Bengal is a common sight in paintings and literature. But Ektara is not an indigenous instrument just confined to Bengal and a baul legacy. Instead, it can be traced to
Spinach Omlette: Spinach is full of iron and is a great veggie. Just toss it in your omlette batter and make a yummy omlette, topped with some chopped coriander leaves. Serve it as a great snack to guests. Bhindi and mushrooms: Just stir fry chopped bhindis
DEBDUTTA GUPTA & PARTHA DASGUPTA In addition to Bankura district,Bishnupur Gharana music was practiced in Murshidabad too. In 1905, Maharaja Manindra Chandra Nandi of Murshidabad, opened the first honorary music school there. Presently, its condition is almost worn out. The Baharampur Music Society School was also
A large number of British landscape artists started coming to Kolkata during the last quarter of 18th century with the increasing involvement and political dominance of East India Company in Indian affairs. Minimal financial prospects of landscape painters in Britain, the stories of easily-won fortunes
Guptipara is a small ancient town, some 80 kilometers from Kolkata (Calcutta), on the Bandel-Katwa railway line. Guptipara sits beside the Bhagirathi river and was once a citadel of Vaishnavite culture. Even today, residents observe Ras, Dol and Ratha-Yatra, which is Guptipara’s greatest festival. It
‘Posto’ (poppy seeds), a Bengali favourite around the world, remains untouched by modern culinary experiments. In Bengal, the white poppy seeds are much loved, and used in plenty of preparations. Synonymous today with a perfect ‘Bengali’ meal, especially when teamed with biuli or urad dal,