Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

On this day, in the year 1828, Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Rammohan Roy. On 20 August 1828 the first assembly of the  Brahmo Sabha  (progenitor of the Brahmo Samaj) was held at the North Calcutta house of  Feringhee  Kamal Bose . This day was celebrated by  Brahmos  as  Bhadrotsab  (ভাদ্রোৎসব  Bhadrotshôb  " Bhadro  celebration"). These meetings were open to all Brahmins and there was no formal organisation or theology as such. The following doctrines, as noted in Renaissance of Hinduism, are common to all varieties and offshoots of the  Brahmo Samaj : [8] Brahmo Samajists have no faith in any scripture as an authority. Brahmo Samajists have no faith in  Avatars Brahmo Samajists denounce polytheism and idol-worship. Brahmo Samajists are against caste restrictions. Brahmo Samajists make faith in the doctrines of  Karma  and Rebirth optional

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 ...

Inauguration of 36th International Kolkata Book Fair 2012 today at Milan Mela ground in Kolkata. Focal theme of this year's book fair - country Italy. At international level Britain, Vietnam, USA, Indo-Latin American Association, Spain, Turask, Peru, China, Apple Publishing International, Japan, Israil and gigantic Bangladesh pavilions will be there. A 6-day long literary meet would be the main attraction of book fair where eminent writers of national and international fame will discuss about the present status and future of books. Bengali version of Severgnini's La Bella Figura will be released on this occasion. The Bengali version of this book is called Chhokher Aloy Italy. This years book stalls have been reduced to 782 from 842. The event would witness the Guild pay tribute to Swami Vivekananda. A children's pavilion would be dedicated to Sukumar Roy, to mark his 125th birth anniversary. The book fair would be inaugurated by Italian journalist, author and ...

30 January, in the year 1903 the then Governor Lord Curzon established the Imperial Library at the treasure of books - Metcalfe Hall in Kolkata. First librarian of this library was John Macfarlane of British Museum, then Sir Harinath Dey became its librarian.

In the year 1780 on this day, first newspaper in English was published from Kolkata - BENGAL GAZETTE. James Augustus Hicky was its editor-owner. 'The Times' was published in England after 8 years of BENGAL GAZETTE'S publication. The paper used to known as Hicky's Bengal Gazette. The pic is the block of this newspaper and the other pic an advertisement of the then famous local hair oil 'Jabakusum' published on BENGAL GAZETTE.