Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Durga Puja although more than three months to go, the clay artistes of Kumortuli already engaged themselves making idols of deities. -- A. B.

Durga puja after the monsoon season, but, the clay artistes of Kumortuli are now already busy to prepare the various parts of idols of deities. -- A. B.

Puppet show of rural Bengal is an old tradition now one can only see in the Rath Yatra fair of villages. This profession is now becoming a hazard owing to the modern technology and reluctance of kids. When I was a kid of 10-12 years, I was fond of this puppet show at that small town where I was born. It was a regular feature of Shiba Ratri Mela. But now, only the untamed enthusiasm of its artists, the art remains. Now, puppet show is running at Bainchi Rath Mela in Bardhaman district of Bengal. But, how many days it will exist? The time has the answer. -- A. B.

Rath mela of the city now running just like a village fair at the Ramlila Maidan of Moulali. And the fair will run upto 20 July. It is just a piece of village, where everything can be found. From colourful plastic bangles, dolls made of mud, trifle utensils, cup-dish, papad, achar, morabba, ghugni, alur dam, phuchka, ice-cream etc etc. But the main attraction is obviously the market of birds - all are foreign birds - finches, java, love-bird, cocktail, badri... the crowds bargaining all the time. This fair is 100 years old. -- A. B.

Spain defeated Portugal in the semi-final and will now play in the final of EURO 2012. Hence, the Spanish football fans are now more elated, more jubilant. -- A. B.

Anti-Drugs Campaign on 26 June in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Director Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay recently announced his new Bengali film 'KOLKATA 2012' at Peerless Inn. It is a film comprising seven stories with a common link. The director of recently released Elar Char Adhyay, Bappaditya said, "A city does not necessarily mean roads, buildings and festivals. It's about the people who live in that city. Kolkata doesn't only belong to the people who regularly appear on Page 3 but also is about people with uncommon professions. I've often hated this city for several reasons, but I can't deny the strong bond I share with Kolkata. My relationship with the city continues to grow with each passing day." He also said about the characters of the film. "There is a Chinese girl who makes chilli sauce and can speak Bengali fluently. There's a female bus conductor and also a boy who falls in love with the Chinese girl because he loves to eat chowmein. I know it sounds weird, but I'm trying to reveal ...

1. Palma de Mallorca, Spain:- The bustling streets of Palma are a refreshing alternative to the beach resorts that cram the coast. After visiting the cathedral and museums, visitors can settle down to a meal in one of the charming outdoor cafes. 2. Hamburg, Germany:- Hamburg is Germany's unsung hero, a northern port town which seems almost Scandinavian in atmosphere. Don't miss a trip round the old 'museum ships' or beach clubs. 3. Dusseldorf, Germany:- Dusseldorf is small and charming, and easily accessible from the Netherlands and Belgium. The Japanese gardens are a highlight, and it's home to the only Japanese temple in Europe. 4. BERLIN, GERMANY:- Berlin is chic and wild in equal measures, always up for a party. For history, music, art, media, food, drinking and fun, it's a world-class destination. 5. TENERIFE, SPAIN:- The natural beauty of Tenerife can be lost among the faceless hotels, but this Spanish island has be...

Today is the 175th birthday of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the eminent novelist and writer of 'Vande Mataram' song. Citizens Forum demanded that 26 June should be declared national holiday. They also demanded and has written a letter to the State Heritage Committee to declare the house no. 218, Panchanan tola Road of central Howrah as heritage building. Bankim Chandra resided three times in this house during the tenure of his service as the Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector there. Even Rabindranath also came at this house in his childhood. The Bankim Mela is running at Bankim Park of Howrah, where 10 stalls and cultural functions, health camps, meet-the-poets programmes and exhibitions will be the attractions. -- A. B.

Spain defeated France in EURO 2012 football tournament. Hence, cheerful Spanish fans. -- A. B.

On the occasion of R D Burman's 73rd birthday, the hands of this music maestro, the friends of this genius who accompanied Pancham, will pay tribute for the first time in the city altogether on 27 June in the evening at G D Birla Sabhaghar of south Kolkata. They are: Bhanu Gupta (mouth organ), Uttam Singh (violin), Roni (Piano), Chintu Singh (guitar), and Suresh Yadav (saxophone). For the first time, Roni will play grand-piano on the stage with the song: 'jeevan ke din chhote sahi'. They'll also share with the audience about their working experiences with R D Burman. Hence, it'll be a remarkable evening in Kolkata. -- A. B.

A retrospective of films made by veteran director Asit Sen will run from 28-30 June, 2012 at Nandan. -- A. B.

5 lion-cubs of less than 1 year, imported from South Africa for Jamshedpur Tata Botanical Park. The cages of cubs arrived at Dum Dum Airport last week. -- A. B.

Sundarban Tiger Project cultivated 'Batagur Baska' - endangered and now rare species of turtle. Recently a captivated turtle layed 25 eggs on 16 March and after careful observation, 25 new turtles born from those eggs during 12-13 June, 2012. -- A. B.

On the auspicious day of Rath Yatra, many big-budget Durga Puja committees of the city had started the preparation of Durga Puja by the rituals of Khuti Puja. A few puja committees have announced the theme of this year. Sanatan Dinda has started the work for Barisha Club on the theme 'Shakti-Bhakti', 'Hridoy-Paribesh' is the theme of Chetla Agrani and Kalighat Miloni may work on theme 'we're in sports, we're in puja also'. -- A. B.

On this auspicious day of Rath Yatra, preparation of Durga Puja by the committees have been started by performing 'Khuti Puja'. In this picture, Tridhara Sammilani of Kolkata performing the rituals of Khuti Pujo and announced this year's theme: No War, Want Peace. -- A. B.

Traditional Rath Mela of rural Bengal this evening, where the nuts, sweets, toys for kids, jilapi and pappad are the main attractions. -- A. B.

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80 years old Rath Yatra and idol of Lord Jagannath at the house of Laha family on Bidhan Sarani of north Kolkata. -- A. B.

Rath Yatra of Mahesh, near Kolkata is the second most old in the country. The same image of Lord Jagannath is being worshipped till today. -- A. B.

ISKCON Rath Yatra started today from Park Circus to reach Brigade Parade Ground of Chowringhee area. Large number of people joined the rally. Lot of enthusiasms seen all through the way to pull the rope of the chariot. -- A. B.

Spain will play the quarter-final match of EURO 2012. Hence, the cheerful Spanish fans. -- A. B.

Tomorrow is Rath Yatra. Hence, the preparation of Iscon Rath is now in full swing in the city. This year's theme is 'RUSSIA' . -- A. B.

Rath Yatra tomorrow. The sand artist of Puri sea-beach created the images of Jagannath, Balaram & Subhadra. -- A. B.

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A major fire broke out this evening in a multi-storied building at Chandni on Lenin Sarani (beside Jyoti cinema). The fire broke out first in a showroom of mattress at ground floor. 10 engines of fire brigade tried to control the fire. And the fire of ground floor is under control. But the fire spreaded rapidly on upper floors and the godown of foams now burning horribly. The heavy smoke is the hindrance to control fire for the fire brigade. But they're still fighting to control the fire. All the vehicles are stopped through Lenin Sarani. -- A. B.

Madhuri Dixit already a star of Bollywood. Now her fans named a star of space - Madhuri. Her unparallel smile and the smile of a distant star now the same. The Star Foundation recently felicitated her by this unique honour. The name of a star of Kalpurush is now - Madhuri. -- A. B.

In the year 1920, on this day, the legendary singer of Bengal, Hemant Kumar or Hemanta Mukhopadhyay was born. Although he was born at his maternal uncle's house in Varanasi, he was brought up in Kolkata. Poet Subhas Mukhopadhyay was his friend. Hemanta was very fond of music since childhood and intended to be a singer. But he feared to approach. His friend sent him forcefully to attend the audition of Kolkata Radio Station. His idol Pankaj Mullick was in the audition and he pleased to hear Hemanta. But advised him to sing in his own style, asked not to imitate him. That was the begining. Hemanta's first record published at the age of 16 and only two songs were there on both sides of the record. "Janite jodi go tumi" was his first recorded song. He used to struggle to get a chance in Mumbai film industry. And after lot of struggle, his film 'Nagin' seen the face of success. The songs of Nagin became very popular. After that, he never looked back. ...

Oriental Fruit Festival will start from 15 June 2012 and will continue till 4 July 2012. Popular Kolkata eatery 'The Wall' launched the festival on 13 June in Kolkata with a few special dessert items. The fruits from the Orient have always been known extremely popular across the world not only for their exquisite taste, but also for their healthy medicinal properties. The Asian summer is humid and makes us lose a lot of water from the body. It is best to incorporate a lot of fruits in our diet at this time since fruits help us to gain the lost water in our body and rejuvenates our mind and soul. The desserts which will be available include 'Almond and Assorted Fruit Float', 'Coconut Sorbet with Mango Sauce', Jellied Mango Pudding' and 'Mango and Lime Fool'. Few of these are oriental delicacies from China and Malyasia. -- A. B.

We know him as 'Harihar' - father of Apu of Satyajit Ray's film 'Pather Panchali' but his original name is Kanu Bandyopadhyay. He acted in many more Bengali films apart from Ray. But, for the first time, on his 108 birthday, a statue would be inaugurated on 20 June, 2012 by Sandip Roy - the son of Satyajit Ray. Sutanuti Book Fair Committee and Kanu Bandyopadhyay Smaran Samity are jointly responsible for this venture. On the said day, at 6 pm, the statue would be unveiled at Banamali Chatterjee Street of Tala. -- A. B.

Inauguration of exhibition of Madhubani paintings by 300 painters on 15 June at 5 pm by the British Deputy High Commissioner at Abanindranath Thakur Gallery of ICCR. The exhibition will run from 15-18 June at Abanindra nath Thakur Gallery of ICCR. Indian Planning commission will assist to organise it. Organiser Bangla Natak dot com. The artists include Bidyanath Jha, Mahesh Jha, Rita Debi and Hira Debi. They reside at Simri village of Madhubani district, the original home of Madhubani paintings. -- A. B.

In the year 1962, a book was published from Kolkata in Bengali - 'Chowringhee' written by a less-known name of then - Shankar. The novel was based on a luxurious hotel of the city - Shahjahan. The name was given by the author, but actually the Spence's Hotel was there at Chowringhee area of Kolkata and counted as the most posh and luxurious hotel of the then city. The author tried to depict day-to-day life inside the hotel - he wrote true-to-life stories of a few key characters of the hotel which brought him the unprecedented success of an author he ever desire. In the year 1965, the film version of the novel made in Bengali with a lead role by Uttam Kumar. And it was a super hit movie. Inspired by the success of the movie, some popular actors staged the novel and it was also a success. The novel 'Chowringhee' translated in many Indian languages and the book cover of it's English version is here. The book already witnessed 137...

Infrastructural development in Sagar Island would be the priority keeping in view the prospect of tourism there. The chief minister of the state visited the island today and announced a package of development work for the island. To promote tourism, the government is also working on developing a deep sea port in the area which will energise the economy and generate employment for the people of the area, a railway link to the island would also come up soon. Work is on full swing, and very soon the island will be on the railway map. Tourist centres and other facilities will be developed on 10 acres of land. The area being prone to cyclones, 15 relief centres will be built to provide quick succour to people in the event of natural disasters. Apart from developing roads and concretising the jetties, a university and a medical college will also be set up here. "Tourism is an important industry and we will do everything required to develop the tourism infrastructure of t...