My KOLKATA BLOG

                Jagannath Prasad Mitra was the founder of Dorji Para Mitra family. He belonged to Dakshin Raarh Kayastha (দক্ষিণ রাঢ় কায়স্থ) community. Jagannath came to Sutanuti area (now Kolkata) from Ariadaha in search of fortune. His grandson Durgacharan was the 'Court Jeweller' of Nawab Siraj-ud-doula. Besides, he was engaged in several business and had Dewani of Salt. Nilmani Mitra - nephew of Durgacharan was also an honourable person at that time. Prankrishna Mitra - grandson of Nilmani Mitra once made an idol of goddess Kali in his childhood. But by error, he set the left foot (instead of right) of goddess Kali on the chest of lord Shiva. Since then, the family worshipping goddess Kali by keeping the error of Prankrishna made while making the idol. One of the main feature of this family is offering (নৈবেদ্য) butter to goddess Kali by this way: at first, they put a decorated big banana leaf on a big brass container (থালা) and a banan...

                Gurucharan Pramanick was one of the bell and brass metal traders of Bengal and belonged to coppersmith community. He came to Kolkata from Sahagunge of Hooghly district in the first half of eighteenth century and constructed a residential house at Chorbagan-Kansaripara area of central Kolkata. Later, his son Tarak Pramanick was able to flourish the business manifold. He established a dock named Caledonic too in Howrah. Their family is now not in the trade of bell and brass metal, but, the custom of worshipping weight and weighing machine on day after Kali Puja is still in vogue in Pramanick family residing at 154, Tarak Pramanick Road. By the effort of Gurucharan and his son Tarak, - Rathyatra, Raas and Janmastami festival were used to observe by the family. Later, Kali Puja and Durga Puja too included in the list. They worship goddess Kali according to Kalika Puran. The image of scorpion is painted on the left foot of goddes...

                               Ramdulal De - the foremost businessman of nineteenth century, started his life in the house of Madan Mohan Dutta of Hatkhola as 'Bill Sarkar', and after 'Ship Sarkar'. Sarkar was his title. His paternal house was at the village Rekjani of 24-Pgs. He lost his parents in childhood and came to Calcutta with his grandmother. Adult Ramdulal accepted the job of ship business manager of Madan Mohan Dutta. Once, he bought a sinked ship by himself and earned rupees one lakh. But he handed over the entire amount to his employer Madan Mohan Dutta. Mr. Dutta was very pleased to see his honesty and returned the whole amount to Ramdulal. He advised Ramdulal to start a new business of his own. Ramdulal started worshipping various god and goddesses at his own residence of 67E, Beadon Street. It was the last part of nineteenth century. On the day of Kali Puja, the episode of "অলক্ষী বিদা...

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...