Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

An untitled Tagore painting of a “couple”, from the 1930s, was auctioned by Christie’s on September 22, with a price estimate of between $120,000 and $180,000 (Rs 88 lakh-Rs 1.3 crore). But, the said painting was sold out at the price of Rs. 4.7 Crore ($637,500). The name of the buyer although not disclosed.  The painting was acquired directly from Rabindranath Tagore by Edith Andreae, a literary executor and editor of the works of her brother, Walther Rathenau, and her banker husband in Berlin, Friedrich. It was passed on in the Rathenau family as an heirloom. Rathenau was a German industrialist, writer and liberal He considered the painting as “a national treasure”, the painting, mixed media on paper laid on card, measures 56.8cm x 45.7cm, “considerably larger than most of his works”. Christie’s tells prospective buyers that although Tagore “is still best known for his poetry and songs, his importance as an artist was recognised when he became one of nine painters designated I

   

When I've read first 'Pather Panchali' child edition in school in early 70s, I came to know that a film also made baaed on this book. 'Aam Antir Bhepu' (আম আঁটির ভেঁপু) was also a chapter of this book we had to study in school. I had a scope soon to watch the film 'Pather Panchali'. But, the original novel was yet to come to me. .    I've read the original 'Pather Panchali' book borrowing from library. We had a vast library in school and I used to love the story books of that library instead my books for studies. Every Saturday, after the leave, the teacher used to call the names and gave us a book to brought it to home to read on Sunday. By this way, I've read many popular story books written for children. .   Gradually, I became fan of author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, not only for his 'Pather Panchali', but 'Aparajito' and many other novels including his famous short story books. I could relate me with Apu -

Sunil Gangopadhyay  was born on 7 September, 1934. His poems I like very much. An innocent statement prevails his poems and that is the essence I like. Neera is the woman for whom he had written so many poems - although imaginary one this 'Neera'. Below, one of his famous poem I like, 'Suddenly for Nira.' .    হঠাৎ নীরার জন্য বাস স্টপে দেখা হলো তিন মিনিট, অথচ তোমায় কাল                                    স্বপ্নে বহুক্ষণ দেখেছি ছুরির মতো বিঁধে থাকতে সিন্ধুপারে–দিকচিহ্নহীন – বাহান্ন তীর্থের মতো এক শরীর, হাওয়ার ভিতরে তোমাকে দেখছি কাল স্বপ্নে, নীরা, ওষধি স্বপ্নের নীল দুঃসময়ে। দক্ষিণ সমুদ্রদ্বারে গিয়েছিলে কবে, কার সঙ্গে? তুমি আজই কি ফিরেছো? স্বপ্নের সমুদ্র সে কী ভয়ংকর, ঢেউহীন, শব্দহীন, যেন তিনদিন পরেই আত্মঘাতী হবে, হারানো আঙটির মতো দূরে তোমার দিগন্ত, দুই উরু ডুবে কোনো জুয়াড়ির সঙ্গিনীর মতো, অথচ একলা ছিলে, ঘোরতর স্বপ্নের ভিতরে তুমি একা। এক বছর ঘুমোবো না, স্বপ্নে দেখে কপালের ঘাম ভোরে মুছে নিতে বড় মূর্খের মতন মনে হয় বরং বিস্মৃতি ভালো, পোশাকের মধ্যে ঢেকে রাখা নগ্ন শরী

This year, 7 September (21 Bhadra, in Bengali) is the day of Koushiki Amabasya Puja. The Amabasya will stay from 7:07 am on 7 September to 6:36 am next day, i.e. 8 September. It says that, on this day, Bamdeb of Tarapith achieved 'siddhi' sitting under the 'shwet shimul' tree (শ্বেত শিমূল) at 'মহাশ্মশান' and since then it is called Koushiki Amabasya to commemorate the achievement of Bama khyapa (বামাখ্যাপা)। বিশেষ এই তিথিতে তারাপীঠে মায়ের বিশেষ পুজোর আয়োজন হয়। এদিন অমাবস্যা তিথি শুরু হলেই মায়ের রাজবেশ সহকারে রাতে মায়ের পুজো করা হয়।  পুরাণে কথিত আছে, অসুরের অত্যাচার থেকে উদ্ধারের জন্য স্বর্গের দেবতারা মহামায়ার তপস্যা শুরু করেন। আরাধনায় সন্তুষ্ট হয়ে মহামায়া দেবী মানস সরোবরের জলে স্নান করে কালো রং ত্যাগ করে কৃষ্ণবর্ণা দেবী কৌশিকীর রূপ ধারণ করেন। সেই রূপেই দেবী শুম্ভ নিশুম্ভ নামের দুই অসুরকে বধ করে দেবতাদের রক্ষা করেন এই তিথিতেই। সেই থেকেই পাপের বিনাশ করার জন্য তারাপীঠ সহ নানান পীঠস্থানে কৌশিকী রূপে পুজো করা হয়, মা কে। On this day, a special puja is performed at

This year, 30th August is Janmastami. In the month of Bhadra, in Krishna Paksha, Ashtami Tithi, Rohini Nakshatra - Sri Krishna was born. He was the 8th son of Devaki. Here is the auspicious time of Janmastami in Bengali. Its English translation is given thereafter. You can translate it in your language :- div> অষ্টমী তিথি শুরু রবিবার ২৯শে অগস্ট রাত ১১টা ২৫ মিনিটে। অষ্টমী তিথি সমাপ্ত- ৩০ অগস্ট, সোমবার, রাত ১টা ৫৯ মিনিটে। জন্মাষ্টমী পুজোর শুভক্ষণ-রোহিণী নক্ষত্র রোহিনী নক্ষত্র শুরু- ৩০ অগস্ট, সোমবার সকাল ৬টা ৩৯ মিনিটে। রোহিণী নক্ষত্র শেষ- ৩১ অগস্ট, মঙ্গলবার সকাল ৯টা ৪৪ মিনিট। রোহিণী নক্ষত্রে জন্মাষ্টমী পুজোর শুভক্ষণ ৩০ অগস্ট, রাত ১১টা ৫৯ মিনিট থেকে ১২টা ৪৪ মিনিট পর্যন্ত পুজোর শুভক্ষণ। ৩০ অগস্ট রাত ১টা ৫৯ মিনিট পর্যন্তই রোহিণী নক্ষত্র থাকবে। তাই ৩০ অগস্টই জন্মাষ্টমী পালিত হচ্ছে। এই সময় অনুযায়ী ৪৫ মিনিটের মধ্যে পুজো সম্পন্ন করতে হবে। জন্মাষ্টমী ব্রতভঙ্গের সময় ৩১ অগস্ট সকাল ৯টা ৪৪ মিনিটের পর পারণ করা যাবে। Ashtami Tithi starts at 11:25 pm on 29 August Sunday and will end at

This year, 22 August is Rakhi Purnima or Raksha Bandhan. Camera Rakhi is trending this year to make happy kids. In between two threads, a toy camera is fixed. It has flash.   The kids can get gift of this rakhi from their sister and when the sister fix it on her brother's wrist, the kid boy will become joyful and he must push the flash button of this camera, and colourful flash lights will bring joy for them. And why not? It is unique for kids. Another kind of rakhi is trending this year - a cartoon character wearing musk. The seller is more kind hearted this year no doubt because they put dhan, durba and tip (ধান, দূর্বা, টিপ) within a rakhi for the convenience of the sisters. After all, all those three items are essential to sisters for the blessings they give to brothers. Isn't It?

Jhulan Yatra is one of the most important festival of devotees of Lord Krishna. It is the third biggest festival of Vaishnavas after Dol Yatra and Janmastami. It usually falls in the Bengali month Shravan. According to Gregorian calendar July-August is the month when Jhulan Yatra occur. This year it will begin on 1 Bhadra,  according to Bangla calendar (18 August) on the day of Ekadashi. It will run for 5 days and on Purnima (full moon day) Jhulan Yatra will end. The day is called Jhulan Purnima.        Jhulan Yatra is the religious occasion for Hindus and Vaishnavas. It mainly observed in 'Bonedi' families and in Moth and temples,  but the children especially are enthusiastic to decorate 'Jhulan' in the entrance of their houses during all 5 day long, with sand, stones, woods, clay dolls and toys, small trees, puppet huts and wooden swings for the jhulan of Radha-Krishna. The family members use to perform rituals and puja of the house-god lord Krishna on th

No, it’s not a film by Mrinal Sen or Srijit Mukherjee, but, a date stuck in the root of Bengalee - the day when dearest poet Rabindranath Tagore was died. We know it is the day to ponder over sitting in the corner of room how the poet wrote all of his poems and songs mixed all the emotions, feelings, sentiments, experience and realisation one can gather lifetime. We silently hear his songs and poems and realise the profundity of a life he spent.      Rabindranath Tagore ignored all the sad deaths of his dear ones with a strong will that enriched his creations throughout. He had the philosophy "ভাল মন্দ যাহাই আসুক সত্যেরে লও সহজে" and never escaped.     At the age of 80, he died on "Baishe Shravan" when the monsoon sky wept too. It was the day, when a great life had stopped but, at the same time, the beginning of post-realisation of a great life whom the then society did not recognised.     80 years passed. But still, the humiliations of a great poet b

In old Kolkata, Rath Yatra celebration was very gorgeous. It was the British Raaj in India, the aristocrats used to observe Rath Yatra in Kolkata with pomp and grandeur. Sheth and Basak family of Bowbazar used to organise rally of Rath on the road with their Kul Devta Govind ji. The Rath was 70 feet high. The Rath used to pull on Bowbazar Street upto Laldighi of Dalhousie.  A gorgeous Rath used to run at Posta area of Kolkata. People of all ages used to enjoy the rally with colourful flags in hand, khol kartal were the musical instruments used to play throughout the rally. Some used to spray atar, keora, aguru and sandalwood water among the devotees.  Batasa was the prasad used to throw from the chariot amongst devotees and they used to pick those. Ramkanai Adhikary's Rath of Bowbazar was very famous in old Kolkata. It was almost 150 years old. But now a small chariot use to pull within family.  A silver Rath was very famous in old Kolkata.  Its owner was Rajchandra Das's fam

  Kadambari Devi was born on 5 July, 1859 at Jorasanko Thakur Bari. Her father was one of the 'Bazar Sarkar' of Debendranath Tagore's family. Debendranath wanted to arrange marriage of his son Jyotirindranath with this nine years old child Kadambari. At that time, Jyoti dada of Rabindranath was 19 years old. It was not the suitable age of marriage for Kadambari, but, as the then society of Bengal did not allow aged unmarried girls, it was the custom of Hindu samaj to arrange for an early marriage of the girl /> But, why they choose a girl who used to live inside the Tagore house of Jorasanko? It is not an enigma, but a bare fact that, they were Pirali Brahmin and none of the father of girl child in Bengal was ready to arrange marriage of his girl child with a Pirali Brahmin. The fact was bitter, but it was true. Therefore, the marriage took place on 5th July, 1868 when Kadambari was only nine. Many people believe that, one should never get married on the same date of

Holi or Dol Utsav is a festival of Kolkata since the time of Job Charnock. It was the beginning of British colonialism. A society called neo "Babu samaj" was emerging. At that time, poet Iswar Gupta wrote a poem "ক্রমেতে হোলির খেলা, নবীনা নাগরী মেলা, ছুটে মুটে যায় এক ঠাই। যার ইচ্ছা হয় যারে, আবির কুমকুম মারে, পিচকারি কেহ দেয় কায়।" Historians have written, at that time, all the persons and houses becomes red by the abir and red colour. Irrespective of castes and creeds, all the persons used to observe this Dol utsav with fun and frolic. They have energy, enthusiasm to participate in this festival by dint of their emotions and sincerity.          Balthazar Solviens has wrote in his 'Le Hindous' book about this Dol Utsav in Kolkata - "alongwith Hindus, Christians and Muslims too used to participate in this festival. The exiled Nawab of Lucknow Nawab Wajed Ali Shah with his parishad, used to participate in this Holi and penned a new song.   On this da