Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Ganga Dashahara of this year is being celebrated across Bengal. It is the observance of myth of descent of river Ganga by the King Sagar. And the puja of river Ganga is being observe between 21 May to 30 May every year. Here in this picture, devoted people offering pujas to goddess Ganga. -- A. B.

31 May, 2012 : World No-Tobacco Day. Many seminars, rallies, speeches will be there all day long. But how many persons felt motivated to quit tobacco, it will remain as vague as usual. But Howrah, the city on the other bank of river Ganga became successful after started anti-tobacco campaign 4 years ago. Now smoking and chewing tobacco publicly is punishable offence in Howrah. So, the question is, when Howrah became successful, why not Kolkata? A positive and motivated attitude should be given to quit tobacco and to stop its uses publicly. -- A. B.

About 50,000 people of Kolkata gathered on the roadside and around 70,000 more people inside Eden Gardens felicitated warmly the team KKR and Shah Rukh Khan alongwith the CM and CAB. The team KKR started their journey of 5 kilometers from Hazra to Eden Gardens on this open truck. But later took shelter in AC bus of the team owing to hard heat of summer noon. The truck was decorated with blue and white Bangla words - 'Korechi, Lorechi, Jitechi Re!' which means - we did, we fought, we won. -- A. B.

Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL Trophy for the first time. The team KKR with SRK arriving Kolkata today with the trophy. 3-cheers for KKR - Hip Hip Hurray! -- A. B.

Sweating much in humid weather of May? Weather office looking for clouds too. Heat of summer noon. So, you want a relief within reach? Just go to Nicco Park and meet the only sea-beach of Kolkata - 'Wet-O-Wild'. The main attraction of this summer is the wave pool of this little sea. You can swim on the waves of sea, or just wet and dance in 'Rain Dance'. Moreover, a 'Multiple Wave Runner' is there, 'Kitpool' for the kids and 'Beach Café'. And the most remarkable news is that, you need not to pay extra money to enter at the sea beach - as it is a part of Nicco Park. And the opening time of this artificial sea beach is from 11:30 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening. So, why are you thinking? Just take a bus, and go to the sea-beach. -- A. B.

27 May 2012 : IPL Final in Chennai, battle of bat & ball between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. Who will win the match - captain Gautam Gambhir or Mahendra Singh Dhoni? Kolkatans wish that KKR will win the IPL Trophy for the first time. Kolkata is confident that team of Brand Ambassador Shah Rukh Khan will win tomorrow. Cricket lovers of the city alongwith celebrities will watch the mega final of IPL tomorrow on giant screen outside Eden Gardens. -- A. B.

On 25 May, in the year 1888, Star theatre of Kolkata started journey. From Girish Ghosh to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, - so many personalities arrived here and acted, participated again and again. But one day, in the year 1991, fire broke at Star Theatre, and it burnt fully. After 13 years, this heritage theatre house re-opened with a renovated look on 13 October, 2004. Star Theatre - the century-old theatre house of the city witnessed arrival of famous persons like Ramakrishna, Rabindranath who used to sit at the front row to watch play. Even Swami Vivekananda first introduced Sister Nivedita to all here in the year 1898. So many stars of yesteryears like Nati Binodini, Saraju Debi, Shishir Bhaduri, Dani Mitra, Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chattopadhyay, Gita Dey, Sabitri Chattopadhyay, Madhabi Mukhopadhyay performed here. Kolkata Corporation undertaken the Star Theatre and inaugurated again on 25 May, 2012 to mark the starting point in the year 1888. Yesterday's function a...

Today is the 114 birthday of legendary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. On this occasion, a cultural function will be held at Nazrul Mancha at 5pm and 3-day long (25-28 May) cultural programmes would be held simultaneously at Nazrul Mancha, Rabindra Sadan, Shishir Mancha and Mohor Kunja. Nazrul's writings explore themes such as love, freedom, and revolution; he opposed all bigotry, including religious and gender. Throughout his career, Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best known for his poems, in which he pioneered new forms like Ghazals. Nazrul was an advocate of the emancipation of women; both traditional and non- traditional women were portrayed by him with utmost sincerity.[17] Nazrul's songs are collectively called as Nazrul Sangeet. Nazrul's creativity diversified as he explored Hindu devotional music by composing Shama Sangeet, bhajans and kirtans, often merging Islamic and Hindu values. Nazrul's poetry and songs explored the ...

Durga puja - 150 days to go. The theme-makers started to take the venture of famous pujas of Kolkata. Sanatan Dinda has taken the job to implement the Durga puja of Barisha Club & 95 Pally Jodhpur Park. Both of them are of south Kolkata puja. Subodh Roy has taken the charge of Nalin Sircar Street puja. Theme-maker of this year's Tridhara Sammilani puja is Gouranga Kuilya. Dipak Ghosh taking the charge of Ballygunge Purba Pally puja. Amal Sarkar taking the job of Behala Natun Dal Durga puja. Anirban Das for Dum Dum Park Tarun Dal this year, Somnath Mukherjee (he has taken the charge of 6 Durga pujas this year) at Sanghasri. Mudiali in the competition this year and Sushanta Paul taking the charge. Shibshankar Das remained at Chakraberia Sarbajanin. Purnendu Dey also remained for Badamtala Ashar Sangha and Rajdanga Nabodaya Sangha. -- A. B.

This year Padma's hilsa would decorate dishes of Bengal's Jamai. Next Sunday Jamaisasthi. And today, 250-275 MT of silvery hilsa or ilish of river Padma of Bangladesh entered in the markets of Bengal. Jamaisasthi means ilish - ilish paturi, sorse ilish, bhapa ilish, doi ilish. Before the year 2008, Kolkata and other parts of Bengal used to relish ilish of Padma much. But, since three years, we're not getting much hilsa of Bangladesh owing to excessive taxes imposed on import of hilsa. -- A. B.

A 'Gateway of Kolkata' would be set up at the abandoned KoPT cargo sheds near the iconic Howrah bridge. The work is in progress as seen in this picture. -- A. B.

High-voltage IPL match tonight in Pune, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils. Both the team eager to get the passport to go final. Delhi won 11 matches and Kolkata 10, but Delhi defeated Kolkata at Eden first and the match was disturbed by rains. Later Kolkata has taken sweet revenge in Delhi. And one thing is clear - both the team are determined to win and KKR depending on Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan and Abdulla. -- A. B.

Beautification work of the river bank of Kolkata started last year. And the first phase of the project, covering a one-km stretch along the river from Babughat to the Millennium Park is now ready to be inaugurated on 24 May at 6pm by the chief minister of West Bengal. The original plan covers a 10 km stretch along the river's Left Bank from Pramamik Ghat at Baranagore in the north to Dahi Ghat in the Garden Reach in the city's southern fringes, it was decided at the meeting that the initial work would be taken up on a one kilometre stretch from Babughat to the Millennium Park. The project, called 'Hooghly River Front Development, Kolkata,' envisages setting up of a cultural node in the northern end and a nature retreat, along with development of the jetties at the Fairlie Ghat, Millennium Ferry Ghat, Babu Ghat and Outram Ghat. Besides, it also includes setting up a 'Kolkata Square,' an open air theatre and a 'Water Shrine' alon...

NGO Green Tycoon organised a unique anti-spitting campaign on Howrah Bridge on Saturday. Volunteers made people aware of consequences of spitting tobacco on the bridge. They also collected signatures from passers by, who took oath to never spit on the bridge again. The signatures would be forwarded to prime minister of India, West Bengal chief minister and officials of Kolkata Port Trust. -- A. B.

Parineeti Chopra, now known as Zoya of Ishaqzaade, says, "If I had to choose to act in any of Priyanka's remakes, I would love to do Fashion." About her competition with sister Priyanka, she says, "I think I would be really foolish to say that I intend to beat Priyanka. I don't want to overtake her. She is way ahead of me. She is a wonderful actor and I have to learn a lot from her." Parineeti was launched in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl last year, is being admired for her performance in Ishaqzaade. -- A. B.

It never happened before. She refused many awards earlier, even Dada Saheb Phalke award. But, accepted the Banga-Bibhushan award, sent her daughter Moon Moon Sen and granddaughter Raima Sen to bring the award. So, we're feeling honoured also. -- A. B.

In the year 1873 on this day, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa deb worshipped Sarada Ma as 'Tripura Sundari Debi' (The Divine Mother). To mark the auspicious event, every year, on this day, Phalaharini Kali Puja being performed at every RK Math. This night the special puja also performed at Alambazar Math in Kolkata. Swami Vivekananda came to this Math after returned from Chicago in February, 1897 and stayed at Alambazar Math for one year. He also used to worship goddess Kali and Ramakrishna-Sarada Ma on this day.-- A. B.

Bangabibhushan and Bangabhushan Samman would be given today at Netaji Indoor Stadium at 5pm. The greatest honour of Bengal - 'Bangabibhushan' would be given to 14 personalities in the field of cinema, music, sports, literature, drama, poetry and painting, who enriched the culture of Bengal and promoted the fame of Bengal to the world. They are: Pandit Ravi Shankar, Suchitra Sen, Leslie Claudius, Rudraprasad Sengupta, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Sanjib Chattopadhyay, Bibhas Chakraborty, Jogen Chowdhury, Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan, Ranjit Mullick, Shaonli Mitra, Goutam Ghosh, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty and Joy Goswami. 'Bangabhushan' Samman would be given to Ustad Rashid Khan, Bikram Ghosh and Nachiketa. -- A. B.

It looks like a complete Kolkata sweep in Mumbai films, TV ads and music. The year 2012 has to be the finest for Bengali actors and filmmakers in Mumbai tinseltown, commercials and even at the National Awards. Suddenly everything related to the once cultural capital of India is hot and happening. It probably started off with 'Bidya Bagchi' and Bob Biswas's bone-chilling turn in the first sleeper hit of the year, Kahaani directed by Sujoy Ghosh and shot in the city of joy. For the first time in years, a non-Kolkata filmmaker chose not to make a caricature of the city and its residents and deftly captured the magic moods of the vibrant megapolis during Durga Puja. It marked the national recognition of two of Bengal's shining character actors, Parambrata Chatterjee (grandson of the legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak) as the supportive cop, Rana and Sashwata Chatterjee, whose 15-minute screen presence gave Bollywood films a brand new villain who...

'Anjali Gitan Ri' - the name of translated Gitanjali in Rajasthani language by Ikram Rajasthani of Jaipur, published yesterday in Kolkata. -- A. B.

50 poems of Rabindranath Tagore translated in 'Mandarin' - one of the main language of China. This is the tribute to the great poet after 88 years of his visit China. -- A. B.

Inauguration of lighting of Chandannagar Strand today. The Strand on the bank of river Ganga is a beautiful place and pride of Chandannagar. The mega lighting project of the Strand is now completed. Today at 4:30 pm, the mega mela of new lighting will be inaugurated. The picture of Strand here is the earlier view before lighting. -- A. B.

40 degree C temperature at 3pm in the city and feeling like 45 degrees. So, Kolkata experiencing hot wave. The wind blowing fire of burning sun. -- A. B.

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Vidya Balan was given the honour of handing the 'Match Ball' to the ground at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Here she is playing with the mascot. And poses with a special jersey. This Indian actress of 'Kahaani' fame declared the brand ambassador of Indian film festival to be held in June in Melbourne, Australia.-- A. B.

Exhibition of news photographs by students of The Statesman Print Journalism School. Venue: Genesis Art Gallery, 8B, Middleton Street, Kolkata 700 071. Date & Time: 15-17 May 2012 (4pm-7pm). All are cordially invited. -- A. B.

Left: At the courtyard of 'Punascha' - a house in the Uttarayan complex, Shantiniketan. Right: 'Shyamali' the house made of clay, the poet on the door. The house planned by eminent artists of the then Shantiniketan, which is still there intact. -- A. B.

Sonali Kulkarni played as the tribal Paro in Nitin Desai's period film 'Ajintha' released today. The film based on the true story of British officer-painter Major Robert Gill and a Maharashtrian tribal girl called Paro. And the film's dialogue is in three languages - English, Marathi and Hindi. The movie, which unfolds between 1824 and 1856, has been inspired by the poetry of Padma Shri ND Mahanor.-- A. B.

Parineeti Chopra in lead role of the movie 'Ishaqzaade' released today. Priyanka Chopra her sister. Arjun Kapoor is the hero of this new romantic film. Ishaqzaade movie show timings: RDB Big Cinemas - Bidhan Nagar (Salt Lake) 10:50 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:15 PM, 7:00 PM, 9:45 PM Ticket booking info: adlabscinemas.com Fame Cinema Hall(Hil... - Hiland Park 9:10 AM, 12:05 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:05 PM, 5:25 PM, 8:25 PM, 10:45 PM Ticket booking info: www.famecinemas.com Inox Swabhumi - Swabhumi 10:00 AM, 1:40 PM, 4:20 PM, 7:10 PM, 9:45 PM, 10:30 PM Ticket booking info: inoxmovies.com Fame Cinema Hall(Sou... - Jodhpur Park 9:25 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:05 PM, 1:25 PM, 4:05 PM, 8:00 PM, 10:45 PM Ticket booking info: famecinemas.com Inox Cinema Hall - (Elgin Road) 9:05 AM, 11:40 AM, 2:20 PM, 5:00 PM, 8:40 PM, 10:20 PM, 11:20 PM Ticket booking info: inoxmovies.com PVR Cinemas - Howrah 10:00 AM, 12:40 PM, 3:20 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:45 PM, 9:15 PM Ticket booking info: www.pvrcinemas.com ...

Neepabithi Ghosh toured Purulia to interact and collaborate with traditional Chhou artistes. Her rendezvous with Chhou began with Banglanatok.com's Basanta Utsav last year in Purulia. The idea of amalgamating Chhou with rock and roll, pop and Rabindra Sangeet came to her in February and she immediately got to work. She kept in mind that the dance form and the essence of the music shouldn't be distorted. She wanted to work with dancers who have been practising this art for generations. The talent of those dancers touched her which is being wasted because it isn't earning then their bread. So she thought, why not try creating a platform for Chhou in the city to open avenues where there dancers can both perform and earn? She wanted to focus on modern love and angst, so a city audience could relate to it. Also, it was educational for the dancers to know about city life. Neepabithi's Chhou will be staged on 13th May, 6.30 pm, at Baitanik (Elgin Road).-- A. B.

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Relationship of Rabindranath with Chandannagar was very deep. The poet used to live several times at several houses of Chandannagar. 'Janhabi Nibas' near river Ganga is one of those houses. The poet wrote, on the top, there was a room with opened doors, from where I used to see the sunlighted net on the top new leaves of bushy 'Bakul' tree. Here I once lived. The poet wrote, those beautiful days of mine on the bank of river Ganga, were just like dedication of full bloomed lotuses on the river Ganga. Unfortunately the house is now neglected, proper care and conservation of this house never seen Chandannagar. The poet inaugurated the Banga Sahitya Sammelan at Chandannagar in the Bengali year 1343. Where the Gondalpara Jute Mill situated now, a bungalow was there named Moran saheb-er bagan bari. Moran means Lat Saheb. In Latin, it means 'which glitters in dark'. The poet mentioned about this house in his short story 'Adhyapak O Apod' (The Pr...

Since the dawn of civilisation, bathing on river seems to a pleasure words cant express. Most of the people of India regularly bath on rivers or ponds. Bathing on river Ganga or for just a touch of water - always a joy, and it is more joyful when the friends and family are with. Since the inception of Kolkata and its ghats, both the city of Kolkata and Howrah have many bathing ghats. Here in this picture, one of bathing ghat of river Ganga on the Howrah side. -- A. B.

Felicitation of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar on 12 May at Eden Gardens in the honour of his 100th century in test cricket. On this occasion, the sports deptt would give him golden bat and ball. And the CAB will present a painting by Sanatan Dinda. And it would be a fine artwork showing an woman gradually turning as goddess, which Sachin would like to keep in his new house at west Bandra. Moreover, CAB will present him 100 guinea engraved face of Sachin. 100 pieces of cricket balls Sachin would throw to the spectators sitting on the gallery. And 100 cut-outs of Sachin would be across the city. A placard in which written 'CAB Salutes Sachin' will be given to 64 thousand spectators of KKR vs Mumbai Indians match on Saturday. Helicopter may pour flowers on Sachin. And the function will start at 3pm.-- A. B.

The photos are of Rabindranath Tagore in his early youth after returning from Himalayas. And the house Udayan at Shantiniketan, which was erected planned by the poet. The decoration of verandah is of Joypur style. -- A. B.

My childhood and the Calcutta where I was born... -- A. B.

When I was born... -- A. B.

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5-day long Rabindra Mela in the city of joy for the birth anniversary of Tagore. At Rabindra Kanan of Beadon Street, the fair inaugurated this evening by the CM. Various cultural programmes will be held for the next five days at this beautifully decorated garden. -- A. B.

25 Boishakh, 8 May 2012 - 152 birthday of poet Rabindranath Tagore. Kolkata, the city of joy will observe the birth centenary of the great poet with traditional reverence, happiness and enthusiasm. The main event on this day would be performed in the open stage at Rabindra Sadan from 2pm-10pm. Eminent singers of the city will sing Rabindra Sangeet : Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Purba Dam, Mohan Singh, Swapan Gupta, Swapna Ghoshal, Abhirup Guhathakurata, Purabi Mukhopadhyay, Ajoy Chakraborty, Hoimanti Shukla, Pubali Debnath, Dr. Chitralekha Chowdhury, Pramita Mullick, Srikanta Acharya, Swagatalaksmi Dasgupta, Shraboni Sen, Raghab Chattopadhyay, Shantanu Roy Chowdhury, Rajashri Bhattacharya, Ustad Rashid Khan, Nachiketa, Rezwana Chowdhury Banya, Jayati Chakraborty, Indrani Sen, Indraneel Sen, Lopamudra Mitra, Anjan Dutta and Sriradha Bandyopadhyay. Recitation: Pradip Ghosh, Shaonli Mitra, Pranati Thakur and Satinath Mukhopadhyay. Dance-drama: Balmiki Pratibha (direction: Alakananda...

Would you like to visit the places in the city of joy memorable for Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda? The state-run tourism deptt. announced a package tour in AC bus to visit the places: Balaram Mandir, the house of Girish Ghosh, Kashipur Udyan Bati, Belur Math, Dakshineswar, the house of Vivekananda and the house of Sarada Ma at Bagbazar. The tour would be conducted on each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am to 6pm. Booking from 7 May, 2012. -- A. B.

William Hodges toured India extensively between the years 1780 and 1783, having accompanied Captain Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific. Hodges prepared drawings and watercolours for his engravings, including 'Select views of Calcutta'. This painting is the first topographical view of the city, depicting the initial impression travellers would have seen as they sailed up the river Hooghly to approach the `City of Palaces'. Titled 'A View of Calcutta Taken from Fort William', the picture displays hallmarks of the classical Picturesque as represented by its balanced composition, harmonious colours and tranquil atmosphere. Pictures by Hodges often capture unique effects of light, a fleeting moment when fading sunlight illuminates particular buildings or landscape features. His 'View of Calcutta from Garden House Reach', for example, portrays dark monsoon clouds about to sweep across the sky above the Hooghly River, calm and milky white ...