Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Durga Puja - the greatest festival of Bengal is just 100 days to go. So, the artists of Kumortuli are busy to make 'kathamo' (structure) of Devi Durga by dried hay and bamboos. -- A. B.

While south Kolkata is crazy about the wins of Brazil and Argentina, north Kolkata is not lagging behind - 200 Mts long flags of Brazil and Argentina are showing now the craze of traditional football lovers of old Kolkata too. -- A. B.

Argentina vs Bosnia match just 5 & half hours to go - Kolkata is very enthusiastic about the first match of Argentina in the world cup. The walls of south Kolkata are now colourful with the hero of Argentina. The supporters of Argentina in Kolkata are sure that their favourite team will win tonight. -- A. B.

Kolkata is reeling under World Cup fever. And Brazil is the most favourite team of Kolkatans ever. So, organisers of Durga Puja are not lagging behind. On this 57th year's puja of Santoshpur Lake Pally, Country Brazil is the theme and their slogan is - "Brazil to Lake Pally". Their theme of puja is centered by Brazil, it is true, but direct Rio carnival or Samba is not here, but, the amalgamation of Indian culture and Brazilian culture is the main theme. Sands of Indonesia, and other materials of pandal will be imported from Mumbasa of Keniya and Mexico. At the first phase, materials of pandal have come from Sao Paolo between 1-4 June. A piece of Brazil would be seen in the pandal of this year's Durga Puja of Santoshpur Lake Pally. -- A. B.

Nalin Chandra Das & Sons - the famous sweet shop of Kolkata has prepared special big size sweets in the shape of world cup, balls and flags. They used colours which are eco-friendly. -- A. B.

Today is the inauguration of World Cup Football in Brazil. Craze emerged accross the world. Kolkata also very enthusiastic in this regard. And so, the localities are being decorated with paintings of flags of Brazil and Argentina. The walls are also being painted with the figures of world cup players. Today is the inaugural match of Brazil. So, the wall of Alipore is decorated with the flag of Brazil. -- A. B.

Voices Of Youth - 19th European Film Festival organised by Cine Central Kolkata, will be held at Nandan 2 from 13 June '14 to 19 June '14 and European Union, Nandan & Cine Central jointly venture this festival. 'Voices Of Youth' is the theme of this international film festival. Youth is the other name of revolution, they have the dream to fulfil, they've ambition, joy, happiness, sorrows, loneliness, pride and plight, fear, hopes and hopelessness... so, the films of this festival will depict those feelings, those ups & downs of youth. Love Like Poison, Fresh Air, You & I etc are the prominent films of this festival. Films of 18 countries like Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, France would be screened at this festival. 19 award-winning films will be showed here. 'On The Sly' - the movie from Belgium would be the inaugural film. The above still is from the French film 'Love Like Poison'. -- A. B.

(Photo: Radhakanta Nandi playing tabla with singer Manabendra Mukherjee). Radhakanta Nandi was the most efficient and popular commercial tabla player of Kolkata. He accompanied with almost all the famous singers of Bengal. Attending live programmes of Manna Dey, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, Manabendra Mukhopadhyay accompanied by Radhakanta Nandi were always a pleasant experience couldn't explained in words.   Moreover, he loved to accompany with eminent classical maestros like Pandit Nikhil Bandyopadhyay, Pandit Yashraj and Pandit Manilal Nag. A CD of live programme by Manna Dey will be published on 9 June, 2014 at Press Club. Radhakanta Nandi was on tabla with Manna Dey at this live function. Hence, it will be a big gift for the listeners of this function.  By this way, tribute will be paid to Radhakanta Nandi too. Radhakanta Nandi Institute and Netaji Subhas Azad Hind Foundation will jointly venture it. The title of the CD is "E Kon Jugalbandi". Manilal Na...

The latest Bengali feature film by Sandip Ray, comprises of 4 different stories will release in Kolkata and Bengal on 13 June next. It has four short stories 1) Dui Bandhu by Satyajit Ray 2) Pariksha by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay 3) Bateswarer-er abodan by Parashuram 4) Kagtarua by Satyajit Ray. So, Sandip Ray named the film "Chaar". -- A. B.

Jamai Sasthi is the most ancient custom and practice of Bengal. On this day, the son-in-law goes to his mother-in-law's house on invitation and affectionate Mother-in-law offers son-in-law good delicious food and new clothes. On this occasion, famous sweet shops of Kolkata used to make delicious special sweets for the son-in-law's of Bengal. So, here are information of some popular sweet shops of Kolkata who are ready to sell some special items to please all. Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick: 1) Chana Brule (combination of chana, milk & extract of mango) Cup - Rs. 35/- 2) 'Jamai Shasthi' sandesh Rs. 50/- 3) Payes of full litchi Rs 500/- per kg. 4) Gandharaj sandesh Rs. 15/- (with flavour of gandharaj lemon). 5) Ananda Anaras Sandesh Rs 15/- (with frill and pulp of pineapple). 6) Mango Truffle sandesh Rs. 20/- (with frill & pulp of mango and white chocolate). 7) Keshar Kulfi Sandesh Rs. 60/-. Address: 2, Broad Street, Kolkata - 19 Gir...

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS is the champion of IPL 2014 cup, - they defeated King's XI Punjab by 3 wickets in the final in Bengaluru this evening. Gambhir won the toss and elected to field first. But, Punjab scored 199 and set target 200 for KKR. It was not so easy for KKR to score 200 but the stormy score of 94 by Manish Pandey and winning runs by Piyush Chaola ensured the desired win for Kolkata Knight Riders again. -- A. B.