Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Tomorrow, 20 November - Derby match of the year. The two big football club of Kolkata will play the most prestigious, most gorgeous, most magnificent and most deadly match of i-league at the biggest stadium of Kolkata - Salt Lake Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Much enthusiasm created already with this match among the supporters - who will smile the last smile. I'm always the supporter of Mohun Bagan. And hope, with Barreto and Chhettri Opara - Bagan will win the match.-- A. B.

Rabindranath staged his play 'Dakghar' (The Post Office) at his own house in Kolkata and acted in the role of Fakir (on the right here).-- A. B.

Bid of a notebook with handwritings of Rabindranath Tagore full of songs and poems found in London will go for bid on 13 December in New York. Much enthusiasm expected amongst admirer of Tagore and so the bid may go upto 1.50 lakh US Dollar.-- A. B.

Whether science or poetry - Rabindranath used to take interests in both of them. Here the poet alongwith the great scientist Albert Einstein (up) and sharing some memorable moments with the famous Spanish poet Victoria Ocampo (down). -- A. B.

Presentation of a colourful cultural programme by the Tollywood stars - marked the closing ceremony of Kolkata Film Festival at Nandan a gorgeous entertaining evening. It was a tribute to the Bengalee stars of silver screen like Ashoke Kumar, Kanan Debi, Debaki Kumar Basu, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Mithun Chakraborty, Uttam Kumar etc. through dance and songs. A massive crowd of cine-goers of Kolkata enjoyed the weeklong film festival. -- A. B.

Rabindranath Tagore was also the director of his famous dance drama 'Notir Puja' and staged it several times. He directed it on the celluloid also. -- A. B.

The much-awaited news came through Twitter - Junior Bachchan tweeted that "IT'S A GIRL" and the city of joy sparked with joy and happiness. Kolkata now celebrating the birth of 'BabyB' alongwith the other parts of the country. -- A. B.

The Nobel certificates and medallion of the poet Rabindranath Tagore which he got in the year 1913 for the collection of poems 'Gitanjali' (songs offering ).-- A. B.

Engrossed Rabindranath in paintings. -- A. B.

Helen Keller was a famous admirer of Rabindranath Tagore. In this picture, she is enjoying the reading of the poet and wrote her feelings below the picture. -- A. B.

The city of joy - Kolkata celebrating Children's Day by many cultural functions with the children, for the children. -- A. B.

On 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, The Indian Railways paying a pictorial tribute by the mobile museum on a train named 'Sanskriti Yatra' where the entire life of the great poet is depicted.-- A. B.

In the year 1898, on this day, Sister Nivedita established a school for girls at Bose Para Lane, Bagbazar, Kolkata which is now named as Sister Nivedita Valika Vidyalaya. -- A. B.

In the year 1913, on this day, Nobel prize committee announced the name of Rabindranath as the recipient of Nobel prize in literature. When Rabindranath went to England in the year 1912, eminent English artist Rothenstein loved 'Geetanjali' - the collection of poems by Tagore in English. He referred Tagore to the then poets W. B. Yeats, May Sinclaire, Ezra Pound etc to read the book 'Song Offerings' in English. And Tagore received the Nobel prize for the English translation of his immortal book of poems 'Geetanjali' which later translated in many other languages. -- A. B.

Kotla failed. Will Eden witness the 100th century of Sachin Tendulkar? It is the question. Kolkata not so responsive to India team, but CAB hopeful that Sachin-magic will attract the cricket lovers of Kolkata. Let's hope for it. All the eyes now at Eden Gardens, where India will play the second test against West Indies. And certainly the main attraction is 'the god of cricket' -- A. B.

1. This is the house in Kolkata where Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January in the year 1863 and spent his early 23 years. This house was recovered recently from the state of ruins and constructed by keeping the original state and hence it is now an important heritage monument of Kolkata. 2. The house after renovation. 3. Inside the house. 4. Swamiji's bedroom at Belur Math. 5. Swamiji's mother Bhubaneswari Debi and the young Vivekananda. If you want to know more about Vivekananda, click on the title to go to Wikipedia.-- A. B.

Alongwith Shantipur, Rash also being observed at Nabadwip of Nadia district. It is a festival of couple of days to worship Durga, Kali, Krishna Radha and display of many mythical events through images and idols. Now, the festival is observing Bengal at this moment with traditional joy, happiness and enthusiasm. -- A. B.

This evening, a unique programme held in the city of joy - inauguration of 17 Kolkata Film Festival. The venue was Netaji Indoor Stadium for the first time. And inaugurated by the Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and veteran actor Sharmila Tagore. In this picture, SRK taking the candle from Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal to light the lamps. And Sharmila Tagore lighting the lamp. The Thali girl in the middle - actor Koel Mallick. Enthusiastic spectators of Kolkata welcomed the stars with applause. -- A. B.

Next 10 November 'Raas Purnima' - worship of Radha-Krishna on the full moon night. And Kartick puja on third week of this month. Display of idols at rural market. -- A. B.

The world comes home. 8 days, 50 countries, 125 directors, 150 films - the extract of ensuing 17th Kolkata Film Festival. And many more 'for the first time' events will occur here. 1. Tollygunge film industry will drive the fest. 2. Budget about 2.45 crore (more corporate sponsors). 3. Professional touch at website http://kff.in 4. Changed logo 5. Theme song by Nachiketa. 6. Published the names of selectors of 150 films. 7. Total 11 theatres will screen films in the city including multiplex. 8. Inaugural ceremony will be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium. 9. The fest will be inaugurated by Shahrukh Khan and Sharmila Tagore. 10. Inaugural movie 'The Magician' of Netherlands. 11. The price of ticket Rs. 10 only. 12. Mamatashankar & ballet troupe will perform at inaugural function. 13. Orchestra by Kolkata Music Academy will be the opening event of this fest. 14. West bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum will perform at the end of inaugural function. 15. One of the mai

Kolkata would be beautiful like London someday - whether it is a dream or will becoming true, not known. But the administrators of the city want to do something new, something nice. A ropeway will be run from Millennium Park of Kolkata to Howrah Station. Floating jetty for steamers and arrangement of water sports will also be there. There'll be 'Kolkata Eye' on Howrah side of river just as 'London Eye'. From Nimtala Ghat to 2nd Hooghly Bridge in Kolkata side and from Howrah Station to Botanical Garden - both the banks of the river will be decorated with greens. A few multi-national companies showed interests to make the 'Marina' near the 2nd Hooghly Bridge. It'll be a floating jetty on the mid-river from which tours will be conducted for Digha, Sundarban etc. The project will be commenced next year. -- A. B.

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