Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Ramendra Sundar Tribedi was born on 22 August, 1864 at Kandi of Murshidabad district in West Bengal.  Ramendra was a successful student from his childhood. After obtaining his B.Sc. degree (coming first in the exams), he competed for the prestigious Premchand Roychand Scholarship with physics and chemistry as his subjects. He won that scholarship in 1888. Ramendra Sundar was a polymath who wrote on a host of themes, including popular science and the philosophy of science. His first articles appeared in the periodical 'Navajiban'. His contribution to the functioning and development of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad is considered to be momentous. His writings have been used in school and college textbooks in West Bengal and Bangladesh. In Bengal, Ramendra Sundar's fame rests mostly on his popular science essays. As a popular science writer, Ramendra's commitment seems to have been "to share with everyone else the fun, the delight and ecstasy of science (in Ramen

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