Durga Puja is not just the largest street festival of Kolkata, but also a big revenue generator for the state and its people, primarily artists and craftsmen. With more than 10,000 pujas in Bengal and more than a thousand more in other parts of India
It is often said when Devas & Asuras churned the ocean of milk (samudra manthan) Goddess Lakhsmi finally appeared with the eagerly awaited ‘amritam,’ that would make them immortal. Lakkhi, the paragon of virtue and Goddess of prosperity and good fortune, was preceded by Olokhhi
The very concept of lokkhi meye has seen a gross deviation in the social context over the years. In her childhood, any daughter with an indifferent attitude to things around her is often 'marked' as a lokkhi meye. Such a daughter would quickly pick up
SHRI said angrily “We were not allowed to visit the puja pandals alone, and your girl is getting worse day by day just for your indulgences. No one will marry her, she will be called an Olokhhi.” ACHINTYA replied politely “It’s only a Rock-Climbing Camp.
This frame was shot while I roamed about around Sovabazar. I had stopped at a particular house where the making of Durga Idol was in progress. As I turned around after taking a few snaps, found her standing at the doorstep watching with her eyes
The present-day digital photography has spelt the death knell for the photo albums, which once was an unmistakable accessory in the living room of any family. Memories are still preserved in the albums for the families, as an indelible impression of the past. Some of
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s Bornoporichoy laid the foundations of my Bangla, just as it had been doing for the last few generations for most Bengalis. However, contrary to the expectations of the great Bengali educationist and social reformer, I was instantly attracted to the likes of
You are Olokhhi! None ever said that to me. On the contrary being born a day after Lakshmi Puja, my family always held me as their Ghorer Lokhhi! Though I hardly realised ever what that meant! As I got into my teenage years and became
This Lakshmi Puja, most Bengali homes will find artistic motifs of Alpona drawn across floors. Motifs of sun, lotus, fish, swastika, owl, snake, footprints of goddess Lakshmi, or even abstract designs will welcome the Goddess of Wealth to their homes. An ancient tradition, this laborious
Kolkata is a compelling city of juxtapositions. Loved and loathed, beautiful and enfante terrible, its extremes and contrasts continue to balance the historic with the contemporary. At her heart lie people, as witnesses and living archives of Kolkata’s realities and aspirations. An extensively documented city