Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

In the year 1847 on this day, eminent writer, social worker and journalist Shibnath Shastri was born at the vilage Changripota. He first educated in Sanskrit School and College. Then passed M.A. in Sanskrit and conferred with 'Shastri' title. His main identity as the founder of Brahmo Samaj. He opined for widow marriages and opposed early marriages. The famous 'Jugantar' Patrika was named inspired by his social novel of the same name. He established 'City School' to spread education with the help of Surendranath Bandyopadhyay and Anandamohan Basu. The first monthly magazine for the adolescents from India named 'Sakha' was published on behalf of Brahmo Samaj by the sole effort of Shibnath Shastri. Two very remarkable books of him are 'Atmacharit' and 'Ramtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Banga Samaj'.

In the year 1852 on this day, first Bengali monthly magazine named 'Jnanarunodaya' was published from Chandrodaya Press at Serampore. Krishna Chandra Karmakar, son-in-law of Panchanan Karmakar (founder of first Bengali font) was the founder of this Monthly and its joint-editor were Jadunath Chattopadhyay & Kalidas Moitra.

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.

In the year 1831 on this day, first Bengali weekly SAMBAD PRABHAKAR was published from Kolkata under the editors Premchand Tarkabagish and Jogendranath Thakur.

In the year 1898 on this day, Swami Vivekananda welcomed Miss Margaret Noble (Sister Nivedita) with warm reception in Kolkata.

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

19-22 January 2011 Venue : Eden Garden, Kolkata.

Last Monday Kolkata faced coldness of icy wind throughout the day, but since yesterday, blowing winds vanished here and the days are not so cold now as usual in winter.

Kolkata is feeling deep sorrow today about the death of city's two veteran artist : Geeta Dey and Pintu Bhattacharya. Geeta Dey was popular actress of screen, stage and AIR passed away last night at the age of 79 and Pintu Bhattacharya was the renowned singer of modern songs passed away at the age of 71 at 5:15am today.

; 15 January Makar Sankranti - the auspicious 'Snan' at Sagar Island or Ganga Sagar in West Bengal. At dawn, thousands of pilgrims will take the holy dip at the point of Ganga and sea. Then they'll worship Kapil Muni in the temple there. These pics are from the earlier years. The festival of kite flying also observe on this day. A fair called 'Ganga Sagar Mela' also organise on this day.

It is the view of Kapil Muni temple at Sagar Island in West Bengal. Ganga Sagar Mela will start tomorrow here and the holy dip (Ganga Snan) will be taken place on the day of Makar Sankranti (last day of the month Poush).

The legendary Rabindra Sangeet artist Suchitra Mitra died of cardiac ailment at the age of 86 in Kolkata today. The city of joy is sad today to miss the renowned singer of 6 decades. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

-------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

3 leopards came to the zoo of Kolkata from Dakshin Khayerbari of Jalpaiguri district - Rahul, Jimmy & Misti. They will soon be exhibited before the visitors. This is 'MISTI' in the picture. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

Que of the visitors of historical monument 'Hazaar Duari' at Murshidabad in Bengal. It is the typical view in winter. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

Winter means fun. Winter seems to spend sunny afternoon outdoor. Alipore Zoo always the main attraction of Kolkata in winter. Joyfull moments in Alipore Zoo yesterday afternoon. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

-------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

-------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

Preparation to observe Christmas at Sacred Heart Church of Dharmatala area in Kolkata. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

7th Poush (Bangla) starts the Mela at Shantiniketan. Rabindranath initiated the mela as a village fair to facilitate the attachments of rural small and cottage industries with urban culture. 3 days long fair extended this year one more day. So it will stay until tomorrow (23-26 December, 2010). Enthusiastic residents of Kolkata goes every year there to attend the mela. Besides usual stalls, cultural programmes like Baul songs, dance, drama etc also being perform there. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

Bangladesh Utsav 2010 arrived Kolkata to get the warmth in winter. Five day long (16-20 Dec'10) festival will be inaugurated today at the premises of Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Officials of the BDHC have started their effort after Durga Puja by communicating with the artists of Bangladesh to bring them in Kolkata. Official sources said that the festival would be a grand success as the crowd are enthusiastic to relish the festival. At least 30 stalls will be there in the festival premises. Exhibition of world-famous sarees of Bangladesh like Dhaka's Jamdani, Tangail and Rajsahi's silk will sure conquer the heart of city's glamorous' and the festival will be marked for the relish of Hilsa and 'bhuna khichuri'. 'Ilish' with 'khichuri' - superb in one word. Various sweets will also be enchanted you. Pithe-puli, makha sandesh - main attractive sweets. Songs, dances and recitations will be performed by the artists of Bangladesh.

Sandip Roy's Bengali feature film based on the 'Feluda' story of his father Satyajit Roy of the above title now running in Kolkata and suburbs. It is one of the remarkable story of 'Feluda series' based on the graveyard of Park Street - Kolkata's posh area under the backdrop of '70s city of Kolkata. Sandip sets the screenplay on today's Kolkata due to give the deserved pace and to do justice with the original story. So, Kolkata is now relishing the favourite private investigator Feluda's memorable solution of the mystery of 'Park Street graveyard' : "GOROSTHANE SABDHAN" -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com

National Bridge Competition will be held from 7th-10th December, 2010 at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata. Various States of India including countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be participated in the competition. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ovi Mail: Making email access easy http://mail.ovi.com