Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

A man was cleaning up the heap of flowers from the bathing ghat of Mallick Ghat phool bazar (flower market) early morning in Kolkata today.-- A. B.

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It was dawn today, when the sun was rising in Kolkata and I was on the Howrah Bridge.-- A. B.

I was watching the day-break from Howrah Bridge today when the old ghats of Kolkata, with the people bathing there, and the lights of night still glittering on the river Ganga. -- A. B.

The 4-day long Vasant Utsav at Shantiniketan this year would be more tourist-friendly. One of the problem the tourists with family usually face is the drinking water. Inside the premises of Viswa-Bharati, there are not so many sources of drinking water. So, for the first time, pouch pack of drinking water (like Book Fair of Kolkata) will be supplied mainly to the childrens and women. The drinking water supply car of municipality shall also be there. -- A. B.

Yesterday, a businessman arrived from Bhagalpur of Bihar and boarded on a taxi in Kolkata. He left the taxi near Prince Anwar Shah Road. But after some time, the taxi driver Lal Bahadur alias Shastri heard ringing of a cell phone. He discovered the phone in the back seat of the car. The caller was none other than the businessman. He told the taxi driver that he missed the mobile phone in the taxi. The taxi driver dropped a passenger at Park Circus and went to Prince Anwar Shah Road to return back the phone. The businessman became astonished to see the honesty of taxi driver and said, it is really a matter of joy. -- A. B.

Legendary footballer Sailen Manna passes away this afternoon in Kolkata at the age of 87. Sports lovers of the city expressed deep grief to hear the sad news. He was born on 1 September, 1924 in Howrah and educated from Surendranath College. He started his football career early and played from 1940-42 for Howrah Union. Then played for Mohun Bagan from 1942 to 1960 till his retirement. He was included in the list of 10 best captains of the world by English FA in the year 1953. He was awarded Padmashree in 1971 by the Government of India. Awarded the prestigious 'Footballer Of The Millennium' by the Football Federation of India in the year 2000. Awarded 'Mohun Bagan Ratna' in 2001 and awarded 'Bangabibhushan' by the Government of West Bengal last year. He played many international matches for India. And he will be ever remembered as an Olympian and 1951 Asian Games gold medal winning football captain. Sailen Manna was the best defender India ever produ...

The city of joy witnessed display of real EURO Cup at South City Mall yesterday. The Carlsberg India earlier selected Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai on the basis of public opinion to show the real EURO Cup for the campaign of EURO-2012. The cup was displayed in Delhi last Saturday. Yesterday Baichung Bhutia unveiled the cup. Poland and Ucraine jointly organising the EURO Cup 2012. The tournament will start on 8 June and the final will play on 1 July. Baichung said, I'm very happy with the effort of Carlsberg. The most popular tournament of the world after World Cup is EURO Cup. Kolkata loves football. So it is obviously joy of the city to witness the EURO Cup. -- A. B.

Poet Joydeb Basu died on 23 February at the age of 50 in his Dum Dum residence of Kolkata. The poet was famous for his strong pen. The cultural circle of the city was shocked to hear the untimely demise of this popular poet. His first wide-acclaimed long poem 'Meghdoot' published on the periodical 'Pratikshan' in the year 1988 and then he created many poems which later published as collections named 'Bhobishyat' 'Jeerno Pata Jhorar Belai' etc. He wrote a novel named 'Uttar Purbo' also. Last year a long poem of him published on a Puja collection. The poet was born in Kolkata on 12 May, 1962. He spent his childhood at Darjeeling and educated from Shantiniketan. He had the knack to create literary works in Bangla since childhood and later admitted to Presidency College in Kolkata with Bangla as his favourite subject. After graduation, the poet went for higher studies at Jadavpur University. He continued his writings in little magazines. Later, he...

Today is Sunday. The school is closed. So, the students are passing their time with the ice-cream vendor while the seniors are preparing the stage on the play-ground for a cultural function. -- A. B.

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Sujoy Ghosh's thriller 'Kahaani' slated for release on 9 March 2012 in Kolkata also. It is the story of a young and 7 month's pregnant Bengali woman named Vidya Bagchi, who comes from London to Kolkata in search of her husband. The story revolves with her continuous search in the city. The common people of Kolkata calling her Bidya instead of Vidya. And the mystery of her missing husband goes on with the unique lanes and by-lanes of Kolkata, with the festivities like Durga Puja and affection and indifference of the city-dwellers. So, the city Kolkata is playing a major role in the film. The song "Ami shotti bolchi" totally dedicated to Kolkata. Hence, Sujoy Ghosh, the director said in an interview: Kolkata is not only Howrah Bridge or Victoria memorial. It's the people which you meet in Kolkata which makes it special. We shot everywhere in Kolkata. I don't think we've left a single by-lane of Kolkata where we didn't shoot the fi...

google-site-verification: googleb828b5efec767693.html-- A. B.

Tannishtha Chatterjee, the Bengali actress of international fame, now playing the role of Masha of famous Anna Karenina - director Joe Wright's magnum opus and now busy with the shooting of this film in Russia under unfavourable weather. She is giving her best to make her role look as authentic as possible. Tannishtha had to shoot at -40 degrees in Petrozavodsk, a small town 500 kms north of St. Petersburg. She recalled her experience as "surreal". "Everything turns into ice within seconds. People in this village don't drink water because it turns into ice. The sun rises at around 10am and sets by 4pm. In some of the shots I was just able to expose my lips and nose somehow. It seems like a miracle that we could shoot in that condition. I had no imagination of how it would be like." Petrozavodsk is a place in Khizi Island on lake Onega. The lake, one of the biggest in the world is completely frozen at this time of the year and the temperature r...

The nascent cake buffet in the city of joy introduces the idea of more dessert options that comprises some of the best cakes in the city. The French Loaf offers desserts with a whole range of flavours and textures. After established in Bengaluru and Chennai, they are now in Kolkata for the dessert lovers. Cakes on the buffet menu include Black Forest, croquembouche, gateau, St. Honore mille feuille, gooey brownies, blueberry gateaux, German chocolate cake, carrot cake, chocolate fudge, opera, strawberry fantasy. The French Loaf will host the buffet once a month and wants to break the dull dessert style. There are eggless cakes for vegetarians and sugar-free cakes for diabetics also. What is the best? My choice, genuine Black Forest cake which one can find in Austria. The ingredients such as frozen fruits, raspberry, cranberry and cream cheese used in the cakes, are imported. And the chocolates? Direct from Belgium. So, The French Loaf not in a state to compromise with the ...

Today is the 177 birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. On this occasion, a huge rally was organised yesterday from Dakshineswar temple to Belur Math, where people from all the corners of society participated alongwith the residents of Math. The rally started at 8am from Dakshineswar temple and crossed the river Ganga by Vivekananda Setu (Bally Bridge). The rally reached Belur Math at 10am where a function was organised to address the rally with praise of Sri Ramakrishna. The rally was a very colourful one. Thousands of pilgrims joined it. Tribal artists of Purulia demonstrated dances with Ran-pa, sehnai etc. Hundreds of women walked with Kalas on head. In front of the rally, there were decorated elephants and horses alongwith tableaus on matador and lorries. The admirers and pilgrims shouted in praise of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda all along the road. -- A. B.

This is the last book by Sister Nivedita, published only 75 copies in the year 1913 by George G. Harrap & Company of London. At that time, photolithography was just started, yet, the excellence of print of the paintings are amazing. Based on the stories of Indian Puranas, eminent painters of that time like Nandalal Basu, K Venkatappa, Khshitindra Nath Majumdar, Asit Kumar Haldar and Surendranath Kar contributed their paintings under the supervision of Abanindra Nath Tagore. Sister Nivedita, the disciple of Swami Vivekananda was interested in Indian philosophy, Vedas and Puranas which were reflected on her writings. She wrote three priceless books on Hindu Mother concept and society - 'The Web Of Indian Life', 'Kali The Mother' and 'Kali Worship'. Her last book 'Myths Of The Hindus And Buddhists' remained incomplete due to her untimely death. Later, renowned historian and philosopher Ananda K. Coomarswamy gave the book a full form and wro...

Pilgrims gathered yesterday at Bhu-kailash temple of Khiddirpur to worship Lord Shiva, due to Maha Shivaratri. -- A. B.

Today is 21 February, International Mother Language Day. A language memorial would be inaugurated at Deshpriyo Park in Kolkata this afternoon by Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal. On this memorial, a unique method applied to pay homage to the pioneers of Bangla language - from the ancient poets of Charyapada to Bipradas, Ishwar Gupta, Dinabandhu Mitra, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Atul Prasad Sen, Rajanikanta Sen, Bimal Kar, Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay, Bimal Mitra, Ashapurna Debi, Satyajit Roy, Annada Shankar Roy etc. A revolving stage is there beside the memorial where the function would be held. The language memorial in Kolkata is the first of its kind. -- A. B.

21 February 2012 International Mother Language Day about to observe the world alongwith Bengal and Bangladesh. In the year 1952 on this day, martyrs of language movement dedicated their lives for the sake of mother tongue. They wanted to get Bangla as their official language. And from that language movement, we learnt how to make dear one's mother tongue, how to keep carefully the precious love for one's mother tongue. Therefore, even after 60 years, even after so long days, we're yet to pay honour our mother tongue, we're yet to keep respect and claim acceptance everywhere our mother tongue. Kolkata, the city of joy, with much joy will celebrate the day, will organise pompous seminars, media will talk more about importance of mother tongue, but, from 22 February we'll forget it for the year unknowingly. Is this the outcome of language movement the martyrs prayed for?

Wherever you go, whether it city or rural areas, you can find the families of claysmith, who are making the millions of clay tea-pot daily and keeping them at the roadside to let dry. -- A. B.

After the fasting, worshipper of Lord Shiva observing the rituals at the temple of Shiva. -- A. B.

According to Purana, 13th day of new moon in the month of Maagha/Phalguna, marked for Maha Shivaratri (The great night of lord Shiva) as wished by the lord Shiva himself. So, traditionally the Hindu women pray for the welfare of husbands and sons as well as the unmarried women worship lord Shiva by fasting and pray for the handsome groom like lord Shiva. Another popular belief is that, on this day, the Shiva weded the Shakti. Alongwith pilgrims across the country, the women of Kolkata will also worship lord Shiva by fasting today. Maha Shivaratri is one of the most observed household festivals/rituals of Bengal, undoubtedly.-- A. B.

India - a multi-lingual country. So, the people of India are able to learn all the languages easily. The ambassador of Spain in India said the above while inaugurating the 2012 International Language Fair here in Kolkata on 9 February. He also said, if you know the languages of different countries, you'll able to learn about the culture and people of respective countries. Spain is the theme of this year's fair. The languages and culture of Italy, Germany, French, and Japan are also being promoted here. As the fair is running at Rabindranath Tagore Centre, so, the fair was dedicated to the poet. The fair is being organised by Stimulate Communication Consultant in collaboration with Indo- Hispanic Society. They demanded that the fair is the first of its kind within Asia.

The centuries-old ghats of river Ganga are always a place for joyful bath. -- A. B.

We cant imagine Kolkata without river Ganga and the original flavours of Ganga are the fishermen, who wander across in search of fishes - Tangra, Mourala, prawns, and above all our favourite Hilsa or Ilish. Whenever I roam on Ganga or stand on the bank to watch sunset, I always observe their boats, their activities - cooking, making nets... -- A. B.

In the year 1899, on this day, the all-time modern poet lived in twentieth century - Jibanananda Das was born in Borishal in Bangladesh. Later he came to Calcutta for education. He was the student of Presidency College. After M.A. in English, he took the profession of professor and taught in various colleges. He always loved to write poems in Bengali. But never tried to imitate Rabindranath. His Bangla poems are the milestone of modern Bangla poetry. His poems are "Chitraroopmoy" (images through words) as Rabindranath said. Alongwith Bengal, his collection of poems also published in Bangladesh. Loneliness, sadness, helplessness of modern age, deep love for the soil and nature, feelings of history, geography - all the modern aspects of human tenderness are inside his poems, similar to the contents and forms of contemporary poets W B Yeats and Erich Maria Rilke. -- A. B.

In the year 1775, on this day, the pioneer of English education in Bengal - David Hare was born in Scotland. He came to India as watchmaker and familiarised himself with the lifestyle of common people. He felt urge to eradicate superstitions from the mind of common people and hence planned to teach them in a scientific way. He proposed to establish an institution for higher studies. As a result, The Hindu College founded in the year 1817 in Kolkata. He became the Director of managing committee of Hindu College in the year 1825. His helpful assistance in the foundation of Kolkata Medical College in 1835 and his effort to motivate the students to dissect the dead bodies as the secretary, was remarkable. David Hare was a true philanthropist. He loved the city alongwith Bengal, heart and soul. He spent all the savings for the education of common people. His contributions was remarkable also even in the field of medical treatment. He founded Hindu School and Hare School in Ko...

For the socio-economic development and self- employment of rural families, the state government organises an exhibition cum fair of the products of rural artisans of across Bengal alongwith other states with the assistance of central government. The numerous self-help groups of our country are participating in the fair with their products of handicrafts for marketing. So it is called Saras Mela. One can find here hundreds of type of clothings both for men and women, made by the women of self-help groups across the country. The fair at Central Park, Karunamoyee, Salt Lake will open for all from today, till 20 February. -- A. B.

Shah Rukh Khan declared as the Brand Ambassador of West Bengal. The Bollywood icon when came to Kolkata last November to inaugurate the Kolkata Film Festival, the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee proposed him to become the brand ambassador of Bengal. King Khan then humbly told that he will ponder over it. After a few months, he conveyed his acceptance to the CM and now Bengal gets her first brand ambassador - Shah Rukh Khan. It was a more needed, much coveted matter that Bengal should deserve. Bengal has rich heritage of tourist spots and cultural excellence. But owing to lack of publicity and proper development, the tourist spots and cultural excellence not finding scope to aware the whole world about it. A brand ambassador can do a lot more in this regard. Hence, West Bengal is fortunate enough to get in touch with an international icon like Shah Rukh Khan. -- A. B.

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North Bengal Festival or Uttarbanga Utsav will start from today.

Cycle rally for 21 February - International Mother Language Day, from Kolkata to Bangladesh. A cycle rally will start on 14 February, 2012 from Kolkata and it will reach Bangladesh via Ranaghat on 20 February. On 21 February, the cyclists will pay homage at the Shahid Minar to the martyrs of the Bengali language movement in the year 1952. And will return the next day. The unique rally is being conducted by in collaboration with an organisation Journey Plus and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

The relationship between tea and Bangali babus goes back a long way.But times are changing and so are tastes.Light bodied varieties of tea are gaining ground among aficionados for their aroma and finesse. Read the Article at : http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/11815465.cms

Winter, the season of yellow leaves and naked trees, has for long added colour to the Bengali's palette and palate. Read the Article at : http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/11815226.cms

6 February, 1898 was the auspicious 'Maghi Purnima' when Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Paramahansa temple at the house of 'gurubhai' Nabagopal Ghosh at Ramkrishnapur, Shibpur, Howrah. Then the monks asked Swamiji to compose mantra for worship and Swamiji instantly coined the prayer which later became the prayer of entire Ramkrishna Mission order. Swamiji later offered the silk turban (pagdi) that he wore during the Chicago address in the year 1897 and a crystal statue of himself, gifted by Sister Nivedita and made by Lalique, the famous French crystal artifact maker, to Nabagopal and his wife, Nistarini Devi, as his "most precious" possessions. Alongwith these relics, the Ghosh family also preserving the bed, harmonium, piano and organ used by Swamiji while stayed there. Every year, on the day of 'Maghi Purnima' the Ghosh family open their door for all to let see the precious relics of Swami Vivekananda and pay homage to t...

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In the year 1913, Rabindranath Tagore's play Dakghar (The Post Office) was first staged at Abbey Theatre of Ireland by the famous poet W. B. Yeats and by this way, it was the first staged play of Tagore in abroad.

At first I thought, fire broke out at main branch of State Bank of India, all the staff of bank stepped down and gathered in the parking area. But the viewers told, it was rehearsal of what to do in case of fire break inside the building. The disaster management group watered the outside walls by hose-pipe. And used the fire extinguishers also. Then fire brigade came to cope with the situation. The trial went this morning for half-n-hour. -- A. B.

Gorai Gandogol - a superhit pure laughter film again for Bangla cine-goers running successfully in Kolkata now. -- A. B.

Deckers Lane of the city of joy, one of the most popular location for spicy food for working people of Dalhousi area. One can find here the flavours of Indian foods very cheap yet tasty. The century-old lane marked for only foods is one of the places of interest. The lane is recently renamed as James Hickey Sarani. On 29 January, in the year 1780, that is, 23 years after battle of Plassey, James augustus Hickey took the venture to publish first Indian newspaper 'Bengal Gazette' from Kolkata. To pay respect Hickey, Kolkata Municipal Corporation renamed Deckers Lane as James Hickey Sarani. -- A. B.

In the year 1922, on this day, Rabindranath Tagore established Sriniketan - the rural centre for folk culture and cultivation of rural activities, near Shantiniketan. Today, 6 February, to mark the foundation day, the festival of folk culture organised at Sriniketan, where tribal dancers of rural Bengal performed beautiful dance programmes. Moreover, stalls decorated with rural handicrafts and functions of folk culture are the other attractions of Sriniketan Utsav. -- A. B.

Catwalk of dogs - small Spitz to big Alsetian - 300 dogs of about 50 species participated in the dog show at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata on 5th February 2012 organised by the Twin Dog Show Club of Kolkata for the third time. Dogs are the most faithful animal of human society, they have skill to secure human life - to aware mass about this, the dog show was organised. First 10 dogs were awarded by prize money according to their skills. All the people enjoyed the funny and unique dog show yesterday. -- A. B.

Situated on Dharamtalla Street of Kolkata, church of the sacred heart of Jesus was originally a Roman Catholic Church built for Portuguese community in the year 1834. -- A. B.

Special `Gitanjali` to mark Tagore`s 150th birth anniversary

Kahaani song dedicated to Kolkata - Hindustan Times

On 14 February, a mass marriage organises by aroma-specialist Keya Sheth will be the main attraction in the city of joy. It would not be a general event of mass marriage. 25 pair of Hindus and Muslims would be married under one roof. And the marriages of Hindus will be performed by priests or purohits and the Kazis will perform the Nikaah. All the marriages will be done by due registration. Moreover, Thalasemia related prior blood testing would be done before marriages. The would be brides and grooms are belong to poor families. So, marriage related all the arrangements will be done by the institution of Keya Sheth alongwith NGO 'Aloy Phera' of Paikpara, Kolkata. They will provide Benarasi sari, dhuti, punjabi, flowers, garlands, ornaments etc. The beauticians of 'Keya Sheth Spa' will take the venture to adorn the brides. A package of gifts will also be provided to the newly marrieds. To decorate their rooms, bedsteads, almirahs, pillows, blankets, utens...

Pigeons are also entitled to take their lunch in the city of joy. -- A. B.

New Market or Hogg Market of Kolkata is the largest market of the city where one can bargain and buy cheaper than other markets from over 2000 stalls selling everything from clothing to cheese. It was opened in the year 1874 and named after Sir Stuart Hogg, the then Chairman of Calcutta Corporation in the year 1903. And since then, the market known as Hogg saheber bazar or Hogg's Market alongwith the popular name 'New Market'. It is situated at the heart of city. A guide can also be available here to help the newcomers.-- A. B.

The bridge on the river Ganga connected two cities - Kolkata and Howrah. Besides car, bus or tram, daily thousands of people crossing the bridge by foot also.-- A. B.

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