Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

When I've read first 'Pather Panchali' child edition in school in early 70s, I came to know that a film also made baaed on this book. 'Aam Antir Bhepu' (আম আঁটির ভেঁপু) was also a chapter of this book we had to study in school. I had a scope soon to watch the film 'Pather Panchali'. But, the original novel was yet to come to me. .    I've read the original 'Pather Panchali' book borrowing from library. We had a vast library in school and I used to love the story books of that library instead my books for studies. Every Saturday, after the leave, the teacher used to call the names and gave us a book to brought it to home to read on Sunday. By this way, I've read many popular story books written for children. .   Gradually, I became fan of author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, not only for his 'Pather Panchali', but 'Aparajito' and many other novels including his famous short story books. I could relate me with Apu -...

'Heritage Bengal' will pay homage to legendary singer composer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay on the eve of his birth centenary by organising a function on 14th and 15th February, 2020 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata. A short film of 35 minutes duration on Hemanta Mukhopadhyay will be screened there. A book named 'Neel Dhrubatara' (the blue northstar) on him will be published there in which complete list of his songs with valuable articles on him by eminent artists are the main attractions of this book. His rare photos also will be there in the book. Shubhajit and Kalyan Sarkar will play some classical based songs on sitar. Hemanta Mukhopadhyay will be remembered ever for his popular songs which will sing Srikanta Acharya and Jayati Chakraborty there at the function. The car used by him shall exhibit there for all. The two-days long programme will be inaugurated by Arati Mukhopadhyay and Soumitra Chattopadhyay. The function will start at 4:30 p.m. daily.

'Festival Of Children's Content' - the unique venture by National Book Trust for the childrens on this World Book Day in the city. Sabyasachi Chakraborty inaugurated the event today at Future Foundation School of Kolkata. Publishers' & Booksellers Guild is the co-organiser of this event and a 6-day long book fair is running at Rabindra Sadan. On this occasion, various workshops, inter-school competitions etc. will be organised. The festival will run upto 28 April from 4:30pm to 7pm daily. -- 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...

The media exposed with the explosive statement of Guild that the power cut at Kolkata Book Fair this evening at the time of press meet was deliberate as the time of next programme was already up. But the question is, there might be other substitutes to end the said programme. Eminent writers of Kolkata also expressed their views that the awkward situation might be averted. Although the power cut was only for a minute, it was not desired. Later, the eminent ex Pak cricketer Imran Khan delivered a lecture in memory of recently departed cricketer of India - Pataudi. Imran said, Pataudi was his idol. And he learnt how to play test cricket with patience, tolerance and total skill from Pataudi. Imran also said that excessive play of 20-20 cricket is the main cause of failure in test cricket for Indian cricketers. The short over cricket only for entertainment and money but test cricket is the original cricket we should play well. Sharmila Tagore later delivered the thanksgiving ...

Italian journalist, author and columnist Beppe Severgnini inaugurated the 36th Kolkata International Book Fair (Boi Mela) yesterday. The function started with the signature tune written by Anindya Chattopadhyay and Chandril Bhattacharya, composed by Shantanu Moitra and sung by Koushiki Deshikan and Monali Thakur with unique hand-shadow by Amar-Sabyasachi. Then Kolkata Music Academy's orchestra played compositions of Vivaldi. Beppe Severgnini said, the passion of two cities are same, India was the focal theme of 2009 book fair in Italy - and now Italy is the focal theme of 2012 Kolkata Book Fair. A 6-day long literary meet will run from 26th January at the fair. -- A. B.

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 ...

The 35th Kolkata International Book Fair ended a few minutes ago tonight. USA was the theme of this Book Fair. According to the organiser, about 1.4 million people visited the fair and worth of rupees 14 crore of books sold this year. It is 10% to 12% more than the last year's Book Fair. Therefore, this year's Kolkata Book Fair can be called a grand success. Next Kolkata International Book Fair will be held from 25 January to 8 February, 2012 at the ground of Milan Mela of Kolkata.-- A. B.

-- A. B. Kolkata Book Fair 2011 opened today for the public.