Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Durga Puja although more than three months to go, the clay artistes of Kumortuli already engaged themselves making idols of deities. -- A. B.

Durga puja after the monsoon season, but, the clay artistes of Kumortuli are now already busy to prepare the various parts of idols of deities. -- A. B.

Puppet show of rural Bengal is an old tradition now one can only see in the Rath Yatra fair of villages. This profession is now becoming a hazard owing to the modern technology and reluctance of kids. When I was a kid of 10-12 years, I was fond of this puppet show at that small town where I was born. It was a regular feature of Shiba Ratri Mela. But now, only the untamed enthusiasm of its artists, the art remains. Now, puppet show is running at Bainchi Rath Mela in Bardhaman district of Bengal. But, how many days it will exist? The time has the answer. -- A. B.

Rath mela of the city now running just like a village fair at the Ramlila Maidan of Moulali. And the fair will run upto 20 July. It is just a piece of village, where everything can be found. From colourful plastic bangles, dolls made of mud, trifle utensils, cup-dish, papad, achar, morabba, ghugni, alur dam, phuchka, ice-cream etc etc. But the main attraction is obviously the market of birds - all are foreign birds - finches, java, love-bird, cocktail, badri... the crowds bargaining all the time. This fair is 100 years old. -- A. B.

Spain defeated Portugal in the semi-final and will now play in the final of EURO 2012. Hence, the Spanish football fans are now more elated, more jubilant. -- A. B.

Anti-Drugs Campaign on 26 June in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Director Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay recently announced his new Bengali film 'KOLKATA 2012' at Peerless Inn. It is a film comprising seven stories with a common link. The director of recently released Elar Char Adhyay, Bappaditya said, "A city does not necessarily mean roads, buildings and festivals. It's about the people who live in that city. Kolkata doesn't only belong to the people who regularly appear on Page 3 but also is about people with uncommon professions. I've often hated this city for several reasons, but I can't deny the strong bond I share with Kolkata. My relationship with the city continues to grow with each passing day." He also said about the characters of the film. "There is a Chinese girl who makes chilli sauce and can speak Bengali fluently. There's a female bus conductor and also a boy who falls in love with the Chinese girl because he loves to eat chowmein. I know it sounds weird, but I'm trying to reveal

1. Palma de Mallorca, Spain:- The bustling streets of Palma are a refreshing alternative to the beach resorts that cram the coast. After visiting the cathedral and museums, visitors can settle down to a meal in one of the charming outdoor cafes. 2. Hamburg, Germany:- Hamburg is Germany's unsung hero, a northern port town which seems almost Scandinavian in atmosphere. Don't miss a trip round the old 'museum ships' or beach clubs. 3. Dusseldorf, Germany:- Dusseldorf is small and charming, and easily accessible from the Netherlands and Belgium. The Japanese gardens are a highlight, and it's home to the only Japanese temple in Europe. 4. BERLIN, GERMANY:- Berlin is chic and wild in equal measures, always up for a party. For history, music, art, media, food, drinking and fun, it's a world-class destination. 5. TENERIFE, SPAIN:- The natural beauty of Tenerife can be lost among the faceless hotels, but this Spanish island has be

Today is the 175th birthday of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the eminent novelist and writer of 'Vande Mataram' song. Citizens Forum demanded that 26 June should be declared national holiday. They also demanded and has written a letter to the State Heritage Committee to declare the house no. 218, Panchanan tola Road of central Howrah as heritage building. Bankim Chandra resided three times in this house during the tenure of his service as the Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector there. Even Rabindranath also came at this house in his childhood. The Bankim Mela is running at Bankim Park of Howrah, where 10 stalls and cultural functions, health camps, meet-the-poets programmes and exhibitions will be the attractions. -- A. B.

Spain defeated France in EURO 2012 football tournament. Hence, cheerful Spanish fans. -- A. B.

On the occasion of R D Burman's 73rd birthday, the hands of this music maestro, the friends of this genius who accompanied Pancham, will pay tribute for the first time in the city altogether on 27 June in the evening at G D Birla Sabhaghar of south Kolkata. They are: Bhanu Gupta (mouth organ), Uttam Singh (violin), Roni (Piano), Chintu Singh (guitar), and Suresh Yadav (saxophone). For the first time, Roni will play grand-piano on the stage with the song: 'jeevan ke din chhote sahi'. They'll also share with the audience about their working experiences with R D Burman. Hence, it'll be a remarkable evening in Kolkata. -- A. B.

A retrospective of films made by veteran director Asit Sen will run from 28-30 June, 2012 at Nandan. -- A. B.