Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

40 years passed, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar is no more - he went to that divine place of immortality. We still remembering him with utmost faith that he is still with us, with his pure smile, genuine look and bright personality. Here is my small endeavor where the story of Uttam Kumar is depicted highlighting the early struggle and heroines of Mahanayak. It is in Bengali. Hope you'll enjoy the video below:

Rabindranath Tagore wrote a Bengali poem named 'Barsho sesh' (i.e. on year ending day), in which he depicted the formation of clouds in late afternoon and then the onset of fearful storm (kal boishakhi) on the last day of Bengali Calendar Year. He picked the right words and expressions to creat a new poem depicting the dreadful storm. He wrote the poem on Bengali 30 Charitra, year 1305, i.e. in English calendar, it was 13th April, 1899 at Shantiniketan. Here is the poem in Bengali, recited by me.

Forest week or 'Aranya Saptaha' is being celebrated in West Bengal. It is also called 'Van Mahotsab'. During this week, various social activities are use to observe throughout the state in which, plantation of saplings or tree is the most important part. By this way, the practice of tree plantation is being encouraged. The great poet Rabindranath Tagore too wrote several poems in this context. He vowed the mother Nature by writing poems and songs in praise of trees, flowers and plants. Here is a poem named 'Brikkho Bandana (বৃক্ষবন্দনা), which is recited for your pleasure by me.

Today (5 July) is the 163rd birth anniversary of Tagore's 'Natun Bouthan' Kadambari Devi. To mark this occasion, here are 12 short poems of Tagore recited in Bengali, in memory of Kadambari Devi.

Jamai Sasthi is a traditional custom of Bengal. This ritual is from the 'parban' of Debi Sasthi. It is a tradition since the time of Veda.         On the day of first Sasthi tithi of Jaisthya month, it is observed in the first hour of morning before a painted picture of Debi Sasthi or before a 'ghot' as idol of debi.           Sasthi Debi looks like a mother of our everyday life but with all grace of a goddess. The cat is her 'bahan'. The welfare and wishes of well-being of our children is the main blessings of debi Sasthi. Every member of the family wear new clothes kept in 'malsa' during puja. Fruits, paan, supari, dhaan, durba, handmade fan of palm leaves are the requirements during puja.           Once upon a time, someone housewife stealthily used to eat fish and blamed cat. As the cat is 'bahan' of debi Sasthi, she became angry and thus the child of that housewife was missing. The housewife realised her sin and went to forest and w

25 Boishakh - 160th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore usually observed at Jorasanko Thakur Bari where the poet was born in the year 1861 (7th May). The statue of the poet outside the building use to garlanded and admirers of the poet come here in the compound of Nat Mandir to observe the day. It is the bed room of poet. It is the marble table in the sitting room beside window, where the poet used to write. The chairs used by the poet in the sitting room to talk to outsiders. The mirror used by the poet and his family. The 'Nilambari' (blue) sari of Mrinalini Debi (the photo below), wife of Rabindranath. The 'jobba' of the poet. The kettle, cup, plate used by the poet. The room to take meals by the poet. Above: Bichitra Bhavan where 'Dakghar' play written and acted by the poet was played in the year 1917. Many more dramas of the poet were played in abroad too. The books

On 5th May, 2020 Bengali film actor Koel Mullick gave birth to a baby boy. When her father actor Ranjit Mullick heard this news, he felt very happy. Actor Koel Mullick herself posted the photos above in social media and expressed her feelings with joy and happiness.     Earlier this February, when she conceived, she expressed her joy with these words, " punches and somersault… the sound of a new life beating inside me. Like a glistening silver thread woven into the fabric of my life, our child is longingly awaited this summer".

26th April, 2020, Sunday is the date of Akshaya Tritiya. 'Akshaya' means "unending wealth" and 'Tritiya' means the third lunar day. The day is considered auspicious by Hindus and Jains in many regions of India for new ventures, marriages, expensive investments such as in gold or other property, and any new beginnings. It is also a day of remembrance for the loved ones who have died.    The day is regionally significant for women, married or unmarried, who pray for the well being of the men in their lives or the one they may in future get engaged to. After prayers, they distribute germinating gram (sprouts), fresh fruits and Indian sweets. If the Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Monday ( Rohini ), the festival is believed to be even Fasting, charity and helping others on this day is another festive practice. Very important, and as related to the name of the festival itself is the best of  Akshaya Patra , to  Draupadi , by God  Krishna , during the visit of s

In the time of spring or Vasant, the puja of spring time goddess Durga use to held in the month of March. This year, Basanti puja will be held on 31st March in Bengal. 30th March is Shasthi Adhibas of Debi Basanti, Shasthi is upto 10:42 PM. 31st March is Saptami puja of Debi Basanti, Saptami is upto 10:38 PM. 3rd April is Dashami - immersion of Debi Basanti. Originally, this puja of goddess Durga used to observe in Bengali month Chaitra as the farmers have this time newly cultivated paddy and they could happily performed Basanti puja. Still now, Banedi families of Bengal perform puja of goddess Basanti. Below is the image of goddess Basanti;-                                                                      In the time of spring, the Annapurna Puja is also observe in Bengal. Anna means food or grains, Purna means full. Goddess Parvati here is in the form of Annapurna, giving Shiva the grains. It is symbolic as we like to puja goddess DURGA here as Mata Annapurna. This year Annap