Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

3 January 2011: legendary singer Suchitra Mitra died. The news shocked the city of joy. Then came Makar Sankranti - Gangasagar Mela. Pilgrims across India came to Sagar Island via Kolkata. In the meantime, we lost two famous icons of city - actor Geeta Dey and singer Pintu Bhattacharya. Kolkata mourned but then came Kolkata Book Fair - the annual gathering of book lovers. Saraswati puja observed in the city alongwith Bengal with traditional devotion and festivities. Then came March - the month full of colour - Dol or Holi celebrated Kolkata with fun and frolic. Supermoon came to give delight to the city of joy by became 10% bigger and 30% brighter. 3 April Suchitra Sen turned 80 years old. 14 April Bangla new year's day observed Kolkata traditionally. In May, Kolkata celebrated birthday of two icons - Manna Dey and Satyajit Ray. Then came the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore - Kolkata observed the completion of 150th birth centenary and death anniversary in August en...

A brief pleasure trip for the city of joy - double-decker train introduced by the Indian Railways for West Bengal recently. It is running between Howrah and Dhanbad. -- A. B.

Circus one of the main attraction of winter in the city of joy Kolkata. This year six Nigerian attracting kids by their tricks of balance. Once tiger and lions were the main attraction of circus. But due to ban on the show with these ferocious animals, circus owners planning to introduce new items in circus. Those African youth performing the new item well alongwith play of elephants, camels, horses, dogs, birds etc. -- A. B.

Kolkata's first theme park near Jorasanko inaugurated yesterday by the Mayor. KMC decorated the park with vivid colours and greens depicting Tagore's literary creations like extracts from 'Amal O doiwala' (excerpts of 'Dakghar' or 'The Post Office'). The theme park named: 'Rabindranath O Paribesh' (Rabindranath and environment). It is the Dr. Jatindra Mohan Park, near Girish Park. KMC has plans to create more theme park in the city. -- A. B.

100 years ago, on this day, "Jana gana mana" - created by Rabindranath Tagore, was sung for the first time, at the convention of Indian National Congress in Kolkata. To commemorate this occasion, a programme organised at Town Hall of the city this evening by the Govt. of West Bengal. Eminent film director Rituporno Ghosh will conduct the function.-- A. B.

Christmas day - 25 December. And Sunday also; to celebrate the day apart, a joy ride through Maidan area also experienced the city of joy. -- A. B.

Park Street, St. Paul's Cathedral, Bow Barracks of Kolkata started to celebrate the festival of joy and love - Christmas, when the bell tolled 12 midnight. Enthusiastic people across Kolkata now gathered at Park Street and enjoying the fun & frolic of Christmas with jingle bells and within garlands of colourful lighting. Bow Barracks of the city also decorated with lights and kids of this area gathered to get gifts from Santa - chocolates, sweets etc. St Paul's Cathedral crowded with enthusiastic people praying now with candlelights. Christmas carols now can be heard inside all the churches of the city of joy.-- A. B.

Book fair is the main attraction of this year's Poush Mela at Shantiniketan. Literary collections of Rabindranath translated in 26 languages will be exhibited here for the international tourists. Moreover, souvenir collections published to commemorate Tagore's 100, 125 & 150 birth anniversary will also be exhibited, translated in Indian and foreign languages. Tourists and foreigners started to come here already. Apart from this, usual items of rural handicrafts will also be there. The mela is officially open for 3 days (23-25 Dec) but unofficially it will run upto 31 December. -- A. B.

Christmas - 3 days to go. Park Street of Kolkata adorned with garlands of light to celebrate Christmas Eve. -- A. B.

Delicious 'ras' of date-palm tree - a joyful item of winter in rural Bengal. Here in this picture, a squirrel tasting it happily. I loved this picture published on newspaper. -- A. B.

Santa Claus for sale at New Market of Kolkata. The city is ready to celebrate Christmas with usual joy, happiness and enthusiasm. -- A. B.

23 December 2011 releasing new Feluda film by Sandip Roy across Bengal alongwith Kolkata. It will be a very unusual experience for the Feluda-lovers in the sense, the whole team of Feluda went to jungle to solve the Royal Bengal mystery for the first time. The film based on the story of Satyajit Ray. So, before Christmas, ready to witness the solve of Royal Bengal Rahasya with Feluda. -- A. B.

A new guest in the family of giraffe in Kolkata's Alipore zoo dragging rush of enthusiastic viewers. Winter is here in Kolkata - bold & cold. Hence, Kolkatans ready to enjoy the winter with kids and friends. Zoo always attracts all the ages of people. Each winter, a new guest attracts people, this year a new baby giraffe attracting viewers.-- A. B.

At last winter in Kolkata, on the onset of month 'Poush' in its real gorgeous hues. Temperature surely below normal, but drastic fall of maximum temperature in the city? Not seen for the last 10 years. Cold wave reigning in Nadia, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts of Bengal. However, Kolkata was waiting for this winter so that ensuing Xmas, fairs, exhibitions, rides, zoo, museum and above all winter time picnics - most enjoyable festivities for the enthusiastic city-dwellers. Various sweets of Bengal - nalen gurer sandesh, puli pithe, khejur ras - so many delicious food items for Bengalees in this winter. -- A. B.

Salt Lake like a city within city of Kolkata. Roads are look alike, divides by shades of trees and pleasant for pedestrians also.-- A. B.

Bangladesh Festival in Kolkata from 16 December 2011 at the premises of Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner. Eminent singers of Bangladesh and Kolkata will perform Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrulgeeti. Popular and precious saris of Bangladesh, like Dhakai Jamdani, Tangail tant, maslin etc will be exhibited this year also for sale. And special food items of Bangladesh, like Kachchi biriyani, Bhuni khichuri and various items of Ilish (Hilsa) will be there invariably. -- A. B.

Kolkata's Mohun Bagan defeated Hal Bangalore by 2 goals to 4 in I-League match in Bangalore stadium this evening. The first half of the match was for Hal, where they scored 2 goals. And when Bagan was searching the scopes to repay, Odafa sparked and scored 2 goals at 60 and 70 minute of the play. All the supporters prayed for another goal to cross Hal, and the gem came from the foot of Jewel Raja at 88 minute. Manish Maithani scored the last goal of the match at eleventh hour. Mohun Bagan will now face Dempo and Salgaonkar.-- A. B.

In the year 1911, on this day, King George The Fifth declared Delhi as the capital of India. Before that, Kolkata (then Calcutta) was the capital of India. A colourful royal rally was organised to commemorate this occasion in Delhi 100 years ago. Today is the birth centenary of New Delhi also. 100 years ago, on this day, New Delhi was founded. -- A. B.

93 lives lost in the fire of AMRI Hospitals in Kolkata. The city of joy shocked. And praying for the deceased this evening by the leadership of CM under the statue of Gandhiji. The rally in memory of the deceased will start with candles in hand in front of Birla Planetarium at 8pm. Before that, this morning, the CM paid homage in memory of the deceased at Safari Park, Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata. A permanent memorial would be established at Rabindra Sarobor. The CM called all to pay homage tonight.-- A. B.

The performance of Mohun Bagan team is not up to the mark. The Police Association defeated Bagan yesterday. They always tried to arrest the goal-makers of Bagan. The supporters of Bagan shouted to see the play-acting of PFA. But it is the part of game. Why not the players of Bagan tried to give their best? Disappointed Sachib Anjan Mitra admitted, excessive play is the cause of dull play. But the coach remarked, the team of Bagan should be reoriented.-- A. B.

A special evening, only for full moon, to be ecliped totally. The evening came with a soft touch of shadow on smiling moon, then, gradually the moon totally covered, only a pale, dim, mysterious, dramatic reddish hue remained - a marvellous sight to experience. The pics here only a touch of these three phases.-- A. B.

Millennium Park - a millennium gift to Kolkata by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA/CMDA) of 26 December 1999 and since then it is the place to play for kids as well as adults. It is situated along river Ganga on eastern side at a stretch 2.5 kms from near Babughat to Koilaghat on Strand Road. The park has plenty of trees and children's amusement rides. One can see gathering of enthusiastic people from Kolkata and Howrah from 1pm to 7pm daily. -- A. B.

In the year 1880, on this day, Begum Rokeya was born in Rangpur (now in Bangladesh). She learnt English and Bengali from her elder brother and sister. Later married to Sakhawat Hossain. She was pro female education. Begum Rokeya's married life lasted only 10 years. She was lived with her husband at Bhagalpur in Bihar. After the death of her husband, she came to Kolkata and made efforts to spread female education in the city. She established 'Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School' in Kolkata initially with only eight girls on 15 March, in the year 1911 and the school is now one of the most renowned Bengali medium girls' school of Kolkata.-- A. B.

In the year 1883, on this day, Rabindranath Tagore wedded Mrinalini Debi in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Today, inauguration of 3-day long Bangladesh film festival at Nandan, Hall-1, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata. Theme of the festival - 'Bangladesh Muktijuddho in celluloid'. The inaugural cinema- Matir Maina 'The Clay Bird'. Besides, the following films will be screened - Khelaghar 'Doll House' ; Joyjatra; Khanda galpo '1971-A Few Shattered Tales'; Aamar bondhu Rashed 'My Friend Rashed'; Guerrilla The festival is open to all.-- A. B.

Total lunar eclipse on 10 December can be seen from Kolkata alongwith the whole country. The eclipse will occur for 50 minutes (7:36pm to 8:26pm). Kolkata is enthusiastic to watch this beautiful celestial event as it will occur again in the year 2018. -- A. B.

The writer of 'City Of Joy' (1985) Dominique Lapierre spent the day of yesterday amongst kids in Kolkata. A team of 40 writers now with him from Poland, America and France. Later Lapierre went to Sandeshkhali at Sundarban to visit the projects. He said, drinking water problems for the people of Sundarban yet to solve. Lapierre is now 80 years old. -- A. B.

Kids picking tamarind at Rabindra Sarobar in Kolkata. -- A. B.

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It is the picture of one of the oldest building of Kolkata - Clive House, otherwise known as 'Barakothi', located at 91 Rastraguru Avenue, Dum Dum erected before the seizure of Kolkata by Siraj-ud-daullah. It was also known as 'Dum Dum House', once upon a time - a well built house, standing on an artificial mound, surrounded by a moat. The history and origin of the building is obscured yet it is presumed to be a Portuguese or Dutch factory or godown of cotton and saltpeter. It is also presumed that the building of the late Mughal period was sometimes owned by Nawab Alivardi Khan and his grandson Nawab Siraj-ud-daullah and later on passed to the hands of Lord Clive who used it as his country seat (1757-60). The present double-storyed brick built building with number of small windows and supporting buttresses looks like a small fort. It was originally single storyed and in subsequent period additions and alterations have been done and converted to be a dou...

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar used various cars but his most favourite was Ambassador. WMC 8787 is the last used car of Uttam Kumar which is now lying neglected on the road in front of his house at Bhowanipur. He departed us more than 30 years ago, but not yet the car declared heritage. It is high time to preserve this white Ambassador and save the memories of Mahanayak. -- A. B.

Rabindranath Tagore at the Galerie Pigalle, Paris, 1930 -- A. B.

Romain Rolland and Rabindranath Tagore in Villeneuve, Switzerland in the year 1926. -- A. B.

Partial load-shedding at Salt Lake Stadium on the 85 min of play didn't snatch the joy and happiness among the supporters of Mohun Bagan - finally Bagan won the first Derby match of this year. And beat East Bengal after 19 months! But the total match never reached at the peak of standard play. Lack of quality, tendency to play on the mid field - not expected from the two teams. But referee Pratap Singh tackled the adverse situations well (4 yellow cards). And Mohun Bagan won the Derby Match by solitary goal of Odafa Okolie - hero of the day. -- A. B.

In the year 1838, on this day, Brahmbhabandhab Keshab Chandra Sen was born at Kolutola in Kolkata. He educated from Hindu Metropolitan and Hindu College. He had profound knowledge in various fields. He came in touch with Debendranath Tagore in 1857 and joined in Brahmo Samaj. He was an eloquent orator. He published periodical 'Indian Mirror' and 'Sunday Mirror'. He established 'Bama Bodhini' magazine and 'Brahmika Samaj' for girls. For the education of girls, he established 'Native Ladies Normal And Adult School' which was later named 'Victoria Institution'. He was the founder of 'Albert Hall' in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Tomorrow, 20 November - Derby match of the year. The two big football club of Kolkata will play the most prestigious, most gorgeous, most magnificent and most deadly match of i-league at the biggest stadium of Kolkata - Salt Lake Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Much enthusiasm created already with this match among the supporters - who will smile the last smile. I'm always the supporter of Mohun Bagan. And hope, with Barreto and Chhettri Opara - Bagan will win the match.-- A. B.

Rabindranath staged his play 'Dakghar' (The Post Office) at his own house in Kolkata and acted in the role of Fakir (on the right here).-- A. B.

Bid of a notebook with handwritings of Rabindranath Tagore full of songs and poems found in London will go for bid on 13 December in New York. Much enthusiasm expected amongst admirer of Tagore and so the bid may go upto 1.50 lakh US Dollar.-- A. B.

Whether science or poetry - Rabindranath used to take interests in both of them. Here the poet alongwith the great scientist Albert Einstein (up) and sharing some memorable moments with the famous Spanish poet Victoria Ocampo (down). -- A. B.

Presentation of a colourful cultural programme by the Tollywood stars - marked the closing ceremony of Kolkata Film Festival at Nandan a gorgeous entertaining evening. It was a tribute to the Bengalee stars of silver screen like Ashoke Kumar, Kanan Debi, Debaki Kumar Basu, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Mithun Chakraborty, Uttam Kumar etc. through dance and songs. A massive crowd of cine-goers of Kolkata enjoyed the weeklong film festival. -- A. B.

Rabindranath Tagore was also the director of his famous dance drama 'Notir Puja' and staged it several times. He directed it on the celluloid also. -- A. B.

The much-awaited news came through Twitter - Junior Bachchan tweeted that "IT'S A GIRL" and the city of joy sparked with joy and happiness. Kolkata now celebrating the birth of 'BabyB' alongwith the other parts of the country. -- A. B.

The Nobel certificates and medallion of the poet Rabindranath Tagore which he got in the year 1913 for the collection of poems 'Gitanjali' (songs offering ).-- A. B.

Engrossed Rabindranath in paintings. -- A. B.

Helen Keller was a famous admirer of Rabindranath Tagore. In this picture, she is enjoying the reading of the poet and wrote her feelings below the picture. -- A. B.

The city of joy - Kolkata celebrating Children's Day by many cultural functions with the children, for the children. -- A. B.

On 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, The Indian Railways paying a pictorial tribute by the mobile museum on a train named 'Sanskriti Yatra' where the entire life of the great poet is depicted.-- A. B.

In the year 1898, on this day, Sister Nivedita established a school for girls at Bose Para Lane, Bagbazar, Kolkata which is now named as Sister Nivedita Valika Vidyalaya. -- A. B.

In the year 1913, on this day, Nobel prize committee announced the name of Rabindranath as the recipient of Nobel prize in literature. When Rabindranath went to England in the year 1912, eminent English artist Rothenstein loved 'Geetanjali' - the collection of poems by Tagore in English. He referred Tagore to the then poets W. B. Yeats, May Sinclaire, Ezra Pound etc to read the book 'Song Offerings' in English. And Tagore received the Nobel prize for the English translation of his immortal book of poems 'Geetanjali' which later translated in many other languages. -- A. B.

Kotla failed. Will Eden witness the 100th century of Sachin Tendulkar? It is the question. Kolkata not so responsive to India team, but CAB hopeful that Sachin-magic will attract the cricket lovers of Kolkata. Let's hope for it. All the eyes now at Eden Gardens, where India will play the second test against West Indies. And certainly the main attraction is 'the god of cricket' -- A. B.

1. This is the house in Kolkata where Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January in the year 1863 and spent his early 23 years. This house was recovered recently from the state of ruins and constructed by keeping the original state and hence it is now an important heritage monument of Kolkata. 2. The house after renovation. 3. Inside the house. 4. Swamiji's bedroom at Belur Math. 5. Swamiji's mother Bhubaneswari Debi and the young Vivekananda. If you want to know more about Vivekananda, click on the title to go to Wikipedia.-- A. B.

Alongwith Shantipur, Rash also being observed at Nabadwip of Nadia district. It is a festival of couple of days to worship Durga, Kali, Krishna Radha and display of many mythical events through images and idols. Now, the festival is observing Bengal at this moment with traditional joy, happiness and enthusiasm. -- A. B.

This evening, a unique programme held in the city of joy - inauguration of 17 Kolkata Film Festival. The venue was Netaji Indoor Stadium for the first time. And inaugurated by the Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and veteran actor Sharmila Tagore. In this picture, SRK taking the candle from Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal to light the lamps. And Sharmila Tagore lighting the lamp. The Thali girl in the middle - actor Koel Mallick. Enthusiastic spectators of Kolkata welcomed the stars with applause. -- A. B.