Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Durga Puja of Kolkata just indexed in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the 16-members meeting of UNESCO held in Paris yesterday. It is a proud moment for not only Bengal, but for entire India. Out of 48 nominations there in the meeting, Durga Puja of Kolkata is the first of its kind in Asia. /> Now, it is proved that Durga Puja of Kolkata is not only a festival, but an emotion of entire nation. All the leaders and common people of the country are very happy to hear this news. /> Durga Puja of Bengal, especially of Kolkata is the biggest festival of the year, we know. But, recently, we witnessed the immersion carnival of Kolkata's Durga Puja at Red Road which was a great success. By organising this carnival - the whole world came to know that Kolkata has an old tradition and heritage of Durga Puja which belongs to Bengal's culture strongly. /> While considering Durga Puja of Kolkata as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the authori...

Ramkrishna Sarada Mission has completed the renovation work of Sister Nivedita's house at 16A, Bose Para Lane. It is the heritage building which the State Government has taken four years ago and handed over to Ramkrishna Sarada Mission for renovation work. The said house is situated on about 5 kathas of land. The house is renovated in such a way that the rooms remained same as they were used by Sister Nivedita years ago. A museum is being formed there inside the house where the books, things, furniture used by Sister Nivedita will be exhibited for all. Moreover, many information, photos of Sister will be placed there. So many past events occurred in the life of Sister Nivedita will become real by audio-visual effects. On the day of inauguration, a compilation book on life & works of Sister Nivedita will be published there. Moreover, a book on preservation of the house will be published there too.

3-days long 122nd Poush Mela has started today at Shantiniketan (Bolpur) with Baidik upasana and Rabindra Sangeet on the ground (pic below). This fair is specially meant for folk culture, handicrafts and baul songs. Once upon a time, this Poush Mela used to held at the ground (pic below) initiated by Debendranath and nurtured by his son Rabindranath Tagore. Now, this is a heritage site.

We're becoming conscious of world resources more and more. In spite of that, some countries are remain not fully conscious about the conservation of their resources and heritages due to ignorance of some people. India is one of them. In view of this, UNESCO has started observance of World Heritage Week (19th November-25th November). It is to be mentioned here that, our Ajanta, Ellora, Sanchi, Hampi, Tomb of Humayun or the rock art paintings of Bhimbetka along with Kajiranga, Keoladeo or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary are among the list of world heritage. But, how many people know that creations of famous architect Le Corbusier have now been enlisted as world heritage? And the waiting list from Bengal and the country is not so short - Terracotta temples of Bishnupur and Namdhapa or Neora Valley National Park are amongst them. The World Heritage Week is observing Kolkata too to create mass awareness about the importance of conservation of heritages. On 19th last, the functions began on af...

Kolkata Municipal Corporation declared the house of Sister Nivedita, 16/A Bose Para Lane as heritage building last year and was decided to prepare an archive there with the memoirs of Sister. But the present owner of this house reluctant to sell the house and said, 16/A is not the house of Sister Nivedita, but she resided at house no. 16 and hence the project facing setback. We know that Sister Nivedita established a school for girls at house no. 16 and therefore 16/A also a part of house no. 16 where Sister Nivedita was resided. At present, condition of house no. 16/A is very grave as shown in the picture. It is under dilapidation. Therefore, it is high time to undertake the house and start the works of renovation as done by the Ramakrishna Mission in the case of Swami Vivekananda's paternal house in north Kolkata.-- A. B.

'Shibalik' - the house at the riverbank of Khardaha, near Kolkata going under river Ganges (Ganga) as it is very old house where Rabindranath stayed four times. The poet used to like the light coldness during winter here and stayed in this house from the year 1932 and in total, he stayed here for 54 days. During this period, the poet wrote poem-letters like 'Har' 'Kalo Ghora' 'Maranmata' 'Marichika' 'Ratrirupini' 'Yatra' 'Pasarini' 'Godhuli' 'Aprakash' 'Puspacharini' 'Bhiru' and many more. Later, these poems placed in the collection of poems 'Bichitra' and 'Bithika'. He wrote the last part of 'Malancha' also in this house. Now, the residents of Khardaha alongwith numerous admirers of Rabindranath want the administration shall take concrete steps to conserve the heritage house in memory of Rabindranath Tagore.-- A. B.

It is the picture of one of the oldest building of Kolkata - Clive House, otherwise known as 'Barakothi', located at 91 Rastraguru Avenue, Dum Dum erected before the seizure of Kolkata by Siraj-ud-daullah. It was also known as 'Dum Dum House', once upon a time - a well built house, standing on an artificial mound, surrounded by a moat. The history and origin of the building is obscured yet it is presumed to be a Portuguese or Dutch factory or godown of cotton and saltpeter. It is also presumed that the building of the late Mughal period was sometimes owned by Nawab Alivardi Khan and his grandson Nawab Siraj-ud-daullah and later on passed to the hands of Lord Clive who used it as his country seat (1757-60). The present double-storyed brick built building with number of small windows and supporting buttresses looks like a small fort. It was originally single storyed and in subsequent period additions and alterations have been done and converted to be a dou...

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar used various cars but his most favourite was Ambassador. WMC 8787 is the last used car of Uttam Kumar which is now lying neglected on the road in front of his house at Bhowanipur. He departed us more than 30 years ago, but not yet the car declared heritage. It is high time to preserve this white Ambassador and save the memories of Mahanayak. -- A. B.

Pataldanga - one of the oldest area of Central Kolkata. Century ago, the inhabitants used to gather at the house of their neighbour to enjoy the essence of Durga Puja. Then, the then local people started the puja by individual contributions in the year 1913, that is 99 years ago. Since then, the puja being organised at 48 C, Pataldanga Street of Kolkata as 'Pataldanga Shri Shri Sharadiya Mahamaya'. The organiser of this century-old puja told media today that they never inclined to 'Theme Puja' and they prefer to remain as the lover of conventional 'Daaker saaj' puja. This year also they are about to worship 'Ek chala' Durga, preparing by the renowned artist of Krishnanagar - Mohan Banshi Rudra Paul. -- A. B.

The West Bengal Government decided to keep the heritage areas of the city Kolkata free from commercial hoardings. Now, heritage areas of the city is 'hoarding-free-zone'. The work is in progress to remove all the hoardings from the said areas. -- A. B.

The State Government of West Bengal decided to declare the house of Sister Nivedita in Kolkata heritage building where she stayed to work for the needy and women of the city. For this purpose, Kolkata Municipal Corporation will purchase the building from its present owner and make it heritage building with an archive where documents about her work and life will be produced for the visitors. It's a good effort to show honour to the noble lady - Sister Nivedita. -- A. B.