Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Kolkata Durga Puja:  Yesterday, I went to Chalta Bagan Lohapatty of Manicktala area to visit Durga Puja pandal. It is marvelous. They built a unique temple where Sanskrit slohkas are written and created an atmosphere of 'Tapoban'.

Yesterday, on the occasion of Maha Panchami, I visited Durga Puja pandal of College Square - one of the oldest puja of Kolkata. It has a pleasant location of swimming pool where swans are enthusiastic too to swim along with swimmers. 

Yesterday, on the occasion of Maha Panchami, I visited Durga Puja pandal of Md. Ali Park - one of the oldest puja of Kolkata.

"অন্তঃসার" is the theme of this year's Durga Puja of Naktala Udayan Sangha. 

On this 80th year, Shivmandir adopted the theme "চৌখুপি" (square). Catchline - "বাঁধা গতে জীবনের চৌকাঠ" and the theme-maker is Bimal Samanta. The puja pandal is being furnished with ladle (হাতা), tray (বারকোশ), comb (চিরুনি), bat, wicket, clog (খড়ম), etc. wooden stuffs. The theme-maker explained: our home, bed, mosquito net (মশারি) - everything is square. Living within this square, we feel secured. Hence, the theme of this puja pandal is 'square' too. The idol of Debi Durga is made of wood. So, this idol will not immerse.      Chetla Agrani is preparing the theme: যোগসাধনা (Pursuit of Yoga). And the catchline is: "বিন্দু জ্ঞানে সিন্ধু পাড়ি, সাত সাগরের এক তরণী"। Bhaluka, Jati and Bijuli - three type of Assamees bamboo would be the main element of pandal. The big image of Lord Shiva will be on the gateway of pandal which is made of bamboo. It will looks like 3D image made by CG. The 'Kosha' (কোষা) in front of Shiva would be made of wood. Begi

Preparation of Durga Puja is progressing everywhere. The blue sky of Bengali season 'Sharat' (শরৎ) has black clouds too. So, all are waiting for the weather forecast of Alipore weather office. But already puja committees of the city have taken the measure to tackle the rush of viewers during Durga Puja. Every year, some unusual events and functions take place on this occasion. This year too, some functions will held in the city. Indian Museum of Kolkata has rich collection of masks from all over the world. This gallery was remain closed for several months due to renovation. Now, it is opened for all. On 27th September'16 it was opened again with some programmes for all day long. The gallery has masks of various god & goddesses of India along with masks of 'Chou' and 'Gambhira' (the folk dance). The inaugural function comprised of workshop for students who exhibited the making of 'Chou' & 'Gambhira' (ছৌ এবং গম্ভীরা) masks. Exhibition

On this 79th year, Durga Puja committee of Kashi Bose Lane preparing the theme of Chaplin's "Modern Times". Theme-maker Pradip Das explained the theme as: Industry or agriculture - which part is more important? A giant hand made of iron chain attract the viewers at the entrance. Motif of a thoughtful man will sit on the hand. The man is built of nut bolt and wrench. The influence of machine on man is alarming. The outside of this pandal thus full of machines and machine-like human's tale. But the inside of the pandal would be green and soft - no mechanism will be seen inside. If the outside is tale of prison - the inside will tell the tale of freedom. "এসো মুক্ত কর" is the tag line of this theme. Four statues surrounded the pandal would be the symbol of freedom. A giant zipper will surround the puja pandal and the open portion of zipper will be the entrance. 

Not only in connection with the fiction and writings, kites are actually popular for the kite lovers. History says, Hiuen tsang initiated kite flying in India. Kite has different names in various countries - it is called Tako in Japan, Cerf volant in France, Papalote in Mexico, Vileers in South Africa, Plakwaaier in Belgium, Fung jung in China, Dutch says Vileger, Drachen in Germany, Layang-layang in Indonesia, Aquiline in Italy, Youn in Korea, Drage in Norway & Denmark, Pipas in Portugal, Saranggola in Philippines, Letuchij zmeij in Russia, Cometas in Spain, Drake in Sweden, Wan in Thailand.     But, what's in a name! Kites are popular all over the world. On the day of Akshay Tritia of month Baishakh in Bengal and on 17th September on the day of Viswakarma puja and 'Arandhan' in Bengal household, the custom to fly kites is in vogue particularly in Kolkata. And in villages and other towns of Bengal, kite flying is like a festival on the day of 'Poush Sankranti'

Viswakarma Puja 2016 at Kolkata-Howrah Ferry service.

Now I am at Serampore where Viswakarma Puja is being observed with traditional rituals and joy. Heavy rainfall occurred at noon, but now the rift... and the sun is peeping at this moment of afternoon. The people are on the road, the crowd is growing for Durga Puja shopping.

'Sahaj Parab' is being organised from 2nd September, 2016 to 4th September, 2016 at Nazrul Mancha, Kolkata in collaboration with Lopamudra Productions and Dohar. This year, the 'Parab' will pay homage to Baul Shah Abdul Karim to mark his birth centenary. His songs had tried to tie the two Bangla in one thread. Hence, the folk artists of Bangladesh may participate here too. On the first day, folk singer of Bangladesh and disciple of Abdul Karim - Jamaluddin Hasan Banna will perform songs. Besides, folk singer Anima Mukti and folk band "Jaler Gaan" of Bangladesh will entertain the audience. The veterans of India will participate here too. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma will play santoor after inauguration. A documentary film on santoor, made by Pandit Shiv Kumar  Sharma will also be shown here today. On 3 September, renowned singer Shubha Mudgal will perform on stage. She will sing sant bhajan, Doha of Kabir etc. Kabiyal Asim Sarkar will perform 'Kabi gaan' on

In the year 1877, on this day, poet Toru Dutt was died. Toru Dutt was an Indian poet who wrote in English and French, and made a mark in literature in spite of her premature death.  She remained in Calcutta till November 1869, after which, at the age of 13, she and her sister Aru traveled to France, Italy and then England by their father. She went to a school in France for the first time of her life and knew French very well during that period. After publication of several translations and literary discussions, she published "A Sheaf Gleaned In French Fields", a volume of French poems she had translated into English, with Saptahik Sambad Press of Bhowanipore, Calcutta in 1876. Though she loved English and French and had embraced Christianity with other members of her family, she felt drawn towards her country and it's rich heritage. She was in a hurry to put in as much work as possible to project ans interpret India's past and glorious tradition to the English-speakin

In the year 1910, on this day, Mother Teresa was born. Mother Teresa and Kolkata or Calcutta are two names, but synonym owing to the service Mother rendered till death. To acknowledge this, a film festival on the work and life of Mother Teresa is being held at Nandan from 26th August'16 to 29th August'16. "The Fifth Word" - the first ever made animated biography film on Mother will be shown here. Apart from India - USA, England, Japan, Canada, France and Spain will share films in this festival. World premier of three new films on Mother Teresa, i.e., "Mother Teresa and Me", "Love Till It Hurts MT", and "Unexpected Encounter" will be shown on the first day. "Something Beautiful For God" (the first film made by BBC on Mother), "Mother Teresa", "Madre Teresa", "Nirmal Hridoy - Home Of The Pure Heart", "In The Name Of God's", "Poor" (Jeraldine Chaplin acted in this film, directed

In the year 1690, on this day, Job Charnok was landed in Kolkata through waterways for the first time. At that time, the place of his landing was known as Sutanuti (North Kolkata). To mark his first steps at erstwhile Sutanuti, every year Sutanuti Utsav is being organised by Sutanuti Parishad on 24th August at Nat Mandir of Sovabazar Rajbari. This year, the 25th or silver jubilee year of this festival. So, 25th Sutanuti Utsav is being inaugurated today in the city. Sri Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri will deliver speech on Mahabharat today. After that, Srikumar Mukhopadhyay will sing Puratani. On 25th, CEO of Prasar Bharati will deliver speech on heritage of Sutanuti. 'Tarja' (the musical battle of two poets) will be performed by Dulali Chitrakar and Tapan Roy will sing Bhatiyali. On 26th, inter-school competition named 'Utkarsa' (the excellence) and publication of a compilation on Kanan Debi will be held there. Function of songs would be there on 27th afternoon. On that

The Street Barber  The Street Barber in the city of Kolkata. It is a very common scene at some areas of central and north Kolkata.

'Azaad 70 Saal: Yaad Karo Qurbani' - a short film produced by Films Division Of India was exhibited on 13th August'16 at Nadan-3 from 2pm to 8pm. 13 documentaries on freedom of India were shown there. An exhibition of paintings and sculptures named 'Freedom 2016' by 40 contemporary painters and sculptors was inaugurated on 15th August'16 at Arabinda Institute of Culture of Rani kuthi at 6pm. It will run upto 26th August'16 from 4pm to 8pm. Sculptor Shekhar Das recently made a full statue of Sister Nivedita by 'pora mati'. Yesterday, on 15th August, the inauguration of that statue was held at Dungannon of North Ireland where Sister Nivedita was born. And the cuisine here too... In Mani Square Mall of Manik tala, 'Chapter-2' was organised food items comprised of prawn-chicken-crab only for just Rs. 800/-. Whereas 'Aodh 1590' of Salt Lake and Desh priyo Park organised Freedom Special Kebab-Kalia-Biriyani festival yesterda

Today is the 75th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. 'Jeebansmriti Archive' of Bhadrakali, Hooghly is working hard to collect, compile and save important documents related to culture of Bengal. In this connection, they recently organised an exhibition of rare photographs of the last journey of Rabindranath. From 31 July to 3 August, they exhibited those items for all. Tagore met Sri Ma for several occasions. Sri Ma sketched a few portraits of Rabindranath. She made a sketch of Tagore delivering speeches in Japan on 11 June, 1916. Later, she edited this sketch in two different forms. It is the centenary year of the said sketch. So many programmes are being organised by HIDCO during this month of August at Rabindra Tirtha of Kolkata. From 6/8/16 to 25/8/16 cultural programmes are being organised there. Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Indira, Dancers' Guild, Manoj Murali Nayyar, Madhu bani Chattopadhyay and many more will participate on that occasion. It is the 8

Rath Yatra Festival at Nalikul, Hooghly was duly observed this evening. Pic courtesy: Arkadeep Banerjee -- A. B.