Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Exhibition: Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshashala: Annual Photography Exhibition (2pm-8pm) organised Bengal Photography Institute. Seminar, drama: Dakshineswar Temple: Swami Balabhadrananda will speak on "Brahmananda Lilakatha" (ব্রহ্মানন্দ লীলাকথা) (4:30pm-6pm). Ramkrishna Math (Jogodyan): After 'Sandhyarati' (সন্ধ্যা আরতি), Sri Abhijit Chattopadhyay will speak on 'Dance of Shiva' (শিব নৃত্য). Subhas Institute Mancha: Drama- 'Abiswaser Bastab' (অবিশ্বাসের বাস্তব) presented by Howrah Jonaki (6pm). Academy: Drama- 'Medel' (মেডেল) by Bahurupi (বহুরূপী) at 6:30pm. Misc. - Sovabazar Naat Mandir: Quiz on literature for the children and adolescents, organised by Hiran Library. Rabindra-Okakura Bhavan: Literature festival and little magazine fair (2pm-8pm). Rabindra Sadan: Culture Festival Of East And West' at 4:30pm, organised by Heritage Bengal. Football: Competetion final at 2pm, organis...

Seminar: Ramkrishna Math (Jogodyan): Swami Shubhokarananda will talk about "Sri Sri Ramkrishna Kathamrita" at 4:30pm. Drama: Academy: "Jagyaseni Agnikanya" (3pm) by Bhawanipur Shishikkhu, "Ek Mancha Ek Jiban" (6:30pm) by Purba-Paschim. Misc. - Harish Park: Vivek Mela (5pm-10pm) Rajdanga Maath: Rajdanga Utsav & Pithe-Puli Utsav. Organiser- Rajdanga Club Samannoy (রাজডাঙা ক্লাব সমন্বয়). Laha Bari: Classical Music Concert (5pm) - artists: Shahid Parvez Khan, Joytirtho Mebhundi etc. Organiser- Sutanuti Parishad, Chorbagan Ancholik Committee. Rabindra Sadan: Singer Ajoy Chakraborty (4:30pm). Then, dance by artists of Mongolia. Organiser- Heritage Bengal.

Exhibition: Nandan - 4: Exhibition of photographs taken by various artists (2pm-8pm). Organiser - DG Photo School. Gaganendra Pradarshashala: Annual exhibition at 2pm, organised by Sky Watchers' Association. Seminar, drama: Ramkrishna Math (Yogodyan): Swami Stabapriyonanda will talk on the subject "শ্রীশ্রী রামকৃষ্ণ পুঁথি" at 4pm. Muktangan (মুক্তাঙ্গন): "প্রত্যক্ষদর্শী" (eye witness) drama by Rangapith at 6pm. "পরশমণি" (the touch stone) drama by Chetla Theatre Group at 7:45pm. Misc. - Hedua Park (হেদুয়া পার্ক): Inauguration of Science & Technology Fair at 6pm by Sri Shankha Ghosh. Organiser - Paschimbanga Bigyan Mancha (পশ্চিমবঙ্গ বিজ্ঞান মঞ্চ).

Ramkrishna Math (Yogodyan) (যোগদ্যান): Swami Shibapradananda will talk on the subject- "স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ: নিবেদিতার মননে" (Sister Nivedita<seen Swami Vivekananda) (4:30pm). Ramkrishna Mission Ashram (Barahanagar): Swami Shibamritananda will talk on 'Karmayog' (কর্মযোগ) (6:30pm). Ramkrishna Mission (Golpark): Swami Shibadananda, Swami Pragyatmananda and Swami Kripakarananda will talk about "Life &Teachings of Holy Mother Sri Sri Sarada Debi" (5:30pm). Shimla Bayam Samity and Kali Singhi Park:  Swami Shibamayananda will inaugurate Vivekananda Milan Mela. After it, classical music (5:30pm). Muktangan (মুক্তাঙ্গন): Drama: Aurangzeb (ঔরঙ্গজেব) by Sovabazar Pratibimba (6:30pm)/ Drama: Rivu by Kalighat Kumar Roy Natya Academy (7:45pm). Organiser: Chetla Theatre Group.  Misc. - Dance programme in memory of Guru Bipin Singh - "Khurumjari" (6:30pm). Organiser- Guru Bipin Singh International Classical Dance Forum. It w...

Chemould Art Gallery: Exhibition of paintings of various artists of Bengal (11am-7pm) upto 13th January'18. Address - 12F, Park Street, Queens Mansion (opp. Park Hotel), Kolkata - 700016. Ramkrishna Math (Shyampukur bati): "শ্রীশ্রী মায়ের কথা" (the tale of Shree Shree Ma) by Bandita Bhattacharya (6pm). Ramkrishna Mission Ashram (Barahnagar): Goutam Adhikary will talk about "Shri Chaitanya Bhagavat" (6:30pm). Vivekananda Society: Achintya Mukhopadhyay will talk about "Shri Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita" (6:30pm). Muktangan (মুক্তাঙ্গন): "Jatileswar" - by Kolkata Natyasabha, organiser- Chetla Theatre Group (6:30pm). Misc. - Karunamayee Mela Ground: Bidhannagar Mela (2pm-9pm) upto 21st January'18. BITM: '43rd East Indian Science & Technology Fair' (10am-5pm) upto 13th January'18. Ramkrishna Math (Barahnagar): 'Youth Day' celebration to mark the 150 birth anniversary of Si...

Exhibition: CIMA GALLERY: Silver Jubilee exhibition "Re-look" (2pm-7pm) upto 3rd February'18. ICCR: Annual art exhibition organised by Rabindra Bharati University (3pm-8pm) upto 9th January'18 (today open at 4pm). Nati Binodini Memorial Art Gallery: Exhibition of paintings and photographs by various artists - "Saakar 2018" (2pm-8pm) upto 13th January'18. Seminar: Speech by Swami Debrajananda on 'আত্মপ্রকাশে অভয় দান' (4:30pm) at Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Ramkrishna Math (Yogodyan) : Speech by Swami Bimalatmananda on "স্বামী বিবেকানন্দের পাশ্চাত্য ও প্রাচ্য শিষ্যবৃন্দ (4:30pm). House of Swami Vivekananda: Swami Purnatmananda will deliver speech on 'Sri Mad Bhagavat Geeta' at 6pm.  Ramkrishna Math (Bagbazar): Speech by Swami Chidrupananda on "গীতা ও শ্রীরামকৃষ্ণ-জীবন আলোকে কর্মযোগ" at 6:15pm. Bangiyo Sahitya Parishad (বঙ্গীয় সাহিত্য পরিষদ): Sovabati Das Ghosh Memorial Speech on "বাংলা ...

Recalling the childhood days when used to awake by the chirping of sparrows on the doorsteps of verandah. They used to make nests into the hollow parts of beams of ceiling. But, surprisingly the sparrows gradually vanished from the growing cities. Now, they're coming back, merrily dancing around bedroom windows and creating a ruckus as the first rays of the sun hit the terrace. It was a common complaint that destruction of habitat, I mean the ventilators and cell phone signals had driven out these little friends. Then how they come back? One interesting cause could be the ability of these birds to adapt to the changing skyline of the city. Sparrows are now seen nesting on the pillars of flyovers, iron structures of hoardings and kitchens. It is true that sparrows and other smaller birds had became scarce in the city. But they didn't die out altogether. They shifted their locations. But, we're happy to see them again. People's Green Society, an NGO prepar...

Pigeons are also entitled to take their lunch in the city of joy. -- A. B.

It's winter, and bird fair is here in the city of joy. Crowded bird fair just ended on 24 January at YMCA Hall of Vivekananda Road in north Kolkata where more than hundred exotic birds were exhibited by the courtesy of Calcutta Bird Breeders' & Lovers' Association. Amongst them, some rare species of Macaw and Kakatua were the main attractions of the visitors. A fresh Bird Fair is now running at Santosh Mitra Square in central Kolkata. -- A. B.

If you want to fly to reach Shantiniketan or Mandarmoni, Sagar Island within half-n-hour, helicopters of Behala Flying Club are ready to offer a ride in exchange of a nominal fare. If you only want to watch the city from above, the copter also ready to give you the opportunity. Hence, the joy ride must be a new feather in the cap of the city. -- A. B.