Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

It is the room, where the world-acclaimed poet was born. The room at the buildings of Jorasanko Thakur bari has been decorated with flowers and alpana today on the occasion of 152 birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. -- A. B.

At the early morning I reached at the venue of this day's function - Jorasanko Thakur Bari. Various prominent singers were already there to perform songs of Tagore. I went upstairs to see the rooms and museum of Rabindranath. I observed the visitors of this special day, on the veranda, in the rooms - and felt the presence of poet everywhere. Watched the booth of FM radio at the courtyard below, watched the lonely lady sitting on the stair perhaps waiting for someone. I paid homage to Rabindranath in his rooms, I went through Bichitra Bhavan too. I observed the clothes, personal belongings and furniture used by the poet and his family members. It was a special day for me. -- A. B.

Today is the 152 birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. Kolkata and whole Bengal is paying homage to the great poet by various cultural functions. -- A. B.

Tomorrow is 25 Boishakh - the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. On this occasion, the room at Jorasanko Thakur Bati where the poet breathed his last is now being decorated by the students of Rabindra Bharati University. Pic courtesy: Ei Samay A. B.

The traditional dolls made of clay in Bengal are not only things for play but being used for various purposes. Many communities place dolls at their religious altar, and worship as gods. West Bengal is famous for dolls of gods and goddesses, animals, warriors, dolls of dancers and mere dolls to keep within showcase and to decorate rooms. The places like Ghurni of Krishnanagar, Natungram and Agradwip of Bardhaman, Pachmura and Rajgram of Bankura, Tarakeshwar of Hooghly Joynagar Majilpur of South 24 Parganas, Kathalia of Murshidabad, Bater bill of Nadia etc.are famous for dolls. At first, the craftsmen used clay, woods and shola to make dolls. Afterwards they learned how to make moulded dolls by brass, stone, palm leaves, clothes, horns of buffaloes, tusk of elephants, bamboo, bamboo-canes etc. 30 families of Chetla who are still busy with the making of dolls by clay are from Varanasi. Similarly, 6 families of Kalighat also inherited from U.P. and make dolls of clay. By this way, local

Manna Dey has completed 93 years - today is the 94th birthday of this legendary singer. He is now residing in Bengaluru. -- A. B.

-- A. B.

The legendary singer Manna Dey sings 4 Bengali songs in memory of his wife Sulochana for Asha Audio. Lyrics of the songs are: 1. Jani jani abar dekha hobe 2. Ei sei ghor 3. Emono hote pare 4. Tomar jonno na mela hisab. Lyricist Debaprasad Chakraborty. The CD will publish on his 94th birthday - 1 May, 2013. -- A. B.

Just beside Swabhumi, you can see the Ice Lounze. It has been opened recently. All the amenities to get relief from hot summer has been made here by special technology. The temperature inside is -11 degrees. The entire ice has been imported from Canada. The engineers and technicians of Canada made the chair table sofa and ice curving. It is matter of balance. Variance in temperature may fall you from bar stool to floor due to melting of ice. But don't worry, the whole system is being supported by three power back-up all the time. Once you enter, the lounze assistant will come and a bill of Rs 1000/- would be made for a mocktail. If you want another mocktail or cocktail, then you have to pay more. If you want more food, then you've to go to adjasent restaurant. You have to wear eskimo dress there. It would be a thrilling feelings. Besides, you've to wear gloves, gum boots too. Inside the restaurant, you'll find various lights - candle-like lights also (winter-proof). A

Last evening, a cyclonic storm hit Kolkata at 116 kmph. As a result, about 50 big trees have fallen in the city and due to power off in overhead wire, train services have been disrupted for the night. Traffic signal posts along with lampposts have also been fallen on the bypass. Alipore weather office said that the storm was as strong as 'Aila' of 25 May, 2009 at least for a couple of minutes. -- A. B.

Yesterday was Basanti puja. The priest was performing 'pranpratistha' of goddess Basanti here in this picture at Kumortuli yesterday. -- A. B.

'Sandesh' - a Bengali monthly for children, running successfully in Bengali language for the last 100 years. It was published for the first time on Poila Boishakh, and in the Bengali year 1320 - just 100 years ago. It is a monthly magazine for children, running by four generations of a distinguished family of Kolkata. Upendra Kishore Roychowdhury(1863-1915), first published the magazine 'Sandesh' on Poila Boishakh, 1320 from his residence of Sukiya Street. So, on this Poila Boishakh of 1420 the magazine has completed 100 years of publication, although it was not published for a few years due to some unavoidable reasons. However, it is a record that a magazine only for children is being published for the past 100 years. Upendra Kishore used to publish 'Sandesh' by the banner of U. Roy & Sons till his early death at new residence of 100, Garpar Road in the year 1915. After his death, his son Sukumar Roy handled the duties of editor of th