Weaving in India has a history of no less than 5,000 years. There was a time when the weavers’ hub in West Bengal --- Phulia, Habibpur, and Shantipur in Nadia district resonated with the monotonous sound of the rotating spindles and bobbins' heads successively knocking
Since childhood, we have all been fed on a staple diet of folklores and fairy tales. Once upon a time…Magic slippers, dwarves, glass coffins, witches who live in the woods, evil stepmothers and princesses with swan wings, magic wand to transform everything, and so on.
Can you imagine Durga puja without plates and dishes made of clay for offerings, or designs of shola adorning the idols, copper utensils displayed, or even a pandal without a chandoa (shamiana), an idol without a wooden framework? Well, the answer is a big ‘No.’
An Adivasi priest sits in front of Durga and her children, intoning mantras in a language that not many among us will understand. Because the mantras are in Santhali, not Sanskrit, and this Puja isn't just another ritual, it is a revolutionary expression of a
For those who have tasted the round and crunchy and juicy Roshokodombo know exactly why this particular sweet of Bengal survived the test of time, even though many other sweets of the Bengal Sultanate era did not. Simple. They were heavenly in taste and looked
When a religious festival goes beyond the concept of idolatry, then it is the rustic touch of Mother Earth that weaves a connect through the extravagance of celebrations. Every part of Durga Puja had for ages celebrated that distinct call of the soil, the essence
We talk of Terracotta Temples of Bengal, but hardly ever speak of the Terracotta Mosques, the hidden architectural treasure of Bengal. Bengal as the land of amalgamation of art and religion, found patrons even among the Muslim rulers who used the fine Terracotta work of
Indranil Halder is an entrepreneur living in Australia who is enthusiastic about preserving the heritage of Bengal Just 30 km North of Kolkata across the Hooghly river, lies the Danish town of Serampore. This multicultural town has deep roots in Danish, British and Bengali history. Serampore
A global musical phenomenon is ringing through the corridors of a well-known Kolkata school. The Music Department of Don Bosco has engineered launch of a project where artists from across the globe come together to spread the message of love, hope and unity. Named as
Durga Puja in Bengal is not just a joyous festival but an annual religious carnival that is celebrated with grandeur everywhere. However, the fear of spread of the pandemic has thrown a major challenge to the Puja organizers this year and a cloud of uncertainty