When dark clouds gather over Kolkata and raindrops start dropping on the roads, the city’s appetite turns towards warmth, spice, and soul-soothing comfort food. Among the many monsoon favourites that grace Bengali kitchens, one dish stands out not just for its rich, creamy indulgence but also
Bengal’s stage scene has always been characterised by a unique cycle of acceptance and dismissal. Bijon Bhattacharya was a disorderly genius and the truth is that his work could never influence or inspire the public as much as it should have. In 1943, Gananatya Sangha
Most people who know even a little about Kolkata, are aware of the legacy and history of the Bonedi baris or the traditional Bengali households. For generations, these traditional houses have kept our culture and traditions alive and the tales of these traditional households are
IThroughout history women were central to creating social wealth. The utilitarian purpose of education did not apply to women as no professions were open to them. For the privileged daughters and wives of the upper class, the most important agency in the transfer of knowledge,
Athing of beauty is a joy forever. Women of Bengal always harboured that aesthetic sense that urged them to take up anything and turn it into a work of art, be it a daily comb that they used or even the nutcracker turning simple things
The bitterness rippling out of the Partition of 1947 has remained for ages. The destructive agenda of Partition continued to impact Bengal’s cultural ethos on and off. Many talented and eminent maestros and their disciples were lost in the vast chasm that separated the East
There was a time when, in Bengal, waterways were used far more than roads. Trade flourished along these routes — from food items to daily necessities and even clothing were imported and exported by boat. The rivers of Bengal once bustled with a variety of
It’s called the Brighton of the East. At least Warren Hastings and the British gave Digha such a prestigious name. At just 187 km from Calcutta, Digha has always been an extremely popular weekend getaway for tourists in Bengal. But how many of us have
Till very recently, Bengali readers were credited for being bookworms. But what made most Bengalis bookworms? The answer is easy to find. Bengalis really love detectives and adventures and there are many, many detectives and adventure characters in Bengali storytelling. Bengali readers have loved these
Since ancient times, our bonding with nature has been very close. We worship Gods with offerings of ‘shadopachara’ (16 items) and that includes ‘Naivedya’ (edible offerings) of cereals, vegetables and fruits on leaves or utensils made of leaves. After offering the naivedya to the deity,