I happened to pass by an article by the famous writer and editor of the popular daily Hindustan Times. The article revisits his thinkings,feelings and his perspective about the culture and tradition of Kolkata. Reading this article prompted me to write a few words describing the importance and sheer hysteria that Kolkata spells on me.
Kolkata.....the name itself teleports me back in time during my school days when I would eagerly wait for my summers to begin. The first week of May meant its time to visit my native place, the place where my roots belonged. My father would arrange the reservations almost 2 months in advance but it was kept a closely guarded secret from me. It was always a week to two to the D-Day when I would come to know of the fact. Rather it were the preparations and shopping for gifts which gave me the idea initially before official confirmation by my mother.
A trip to Kolkata to me meant annual reunion with cousins,gifts and adoration from relatives,exotic food,trips on motor boats and launches on the river Ganges,a ride in the Metro Rail and Tram and last but not the least a month and half of unadulterated fun. It was something I longed for throughout the year.
There was definitely something about Kolkata that has always attracted me. The warmth and feeling of togetherness I got there was something I always lacked back here in Delhi. Though I was born and brought up here but still I always felt a sense of alienation. People ask me which place I like to be more associated with....Delhi or Kolkata. I somehow find it difficult to answer this question to my satisfaction. Delhi....the land I was born.....where since childhood I spent the most crucial years of my life and most probably will even take my last breath. This city gave me my identity....my status...everything I have or will have in near future. But still something....something just keeps eluding me.
I remember the other day I was watching a cookery show on TV. The host was doing rounds of the by lanes and streets of Kolkata and trying out some roadside stuffs like phuchkas,jhaal muri etc. Time and again the backdrop of the majestic Victoria Memorial,the imposing Howrah Bridge,the extremely holy Ganges,the epitome of faith and devotion Dakshineshwar Temple and many more such symbolic icons of Kolkata were shown. The host talked about the traditions of Kolkata,the people....their food habits....Durga Puja n so on. Every little detail he spoke about Kolkata made me feel so proud. It was a feeling that somebody was talking about and praising my land,my culture and my traditions. Maybe that's the reason why I love watching movies like Parineeta which outrightly show everything authentic about Kolkata,especially the beginning where the background voice of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan describes the Kolkata in 1960's.
Kolkata.....the name itself teleports me back in time during my school days when I would eagerly wait for my summers to begin. The first week of May meant its time to visit my native place, the place where my roots belonged. My father would arrange the reservations almost 2 months in advance but it was kept a closely guarded secret from me. It was always a week to two to the D-Day when I would come to know of the fact. Rather it were the preparations and shopping for gifts which gave me the idea initially before official confirmation by my mother.
A trip to Kolkata to me meant annual reunion with cousins,gifts and adoration from relatives,exotic food,trips on motor boats and launches on the river Ganges,a ride in the Metro Rail and Tram and last but not the least a month and half of unadulterated fun. It was something I longed for throughout the year.
There was definitely something about Kolkata that has always attracted me. The warmth and feeling of togetherness I got there was something I always lacked back here in Delhi. Though I was born and brought up here but still I always felt a sense of alienation. People ask me which place I like to be more associated with....Delhi or Kolkata. I somehow find it difficult to answer this question to my satisfaction. Delhi....the land I was born.....where since childhood I spent the most crucial years of my life and most probably will even take my last breath. This city gave me my identity....my status...everything I have or will have in near future. But still something....something just keeps eluding me.
I remember the other day I was watching a cookery show on TV. The host was doing rounds of the by lanes and streets of Kolkata and trying out some roadside stuffs like phuchkas,jhaal muri etc. Time and again the backdrop of the majestic Victoria Memorial,the imposing Howrah Bridge,the extremely holy Ganges,the epitome of faith and devotion Dakshineshwar Temple and many more such symbolic icons of Kolkata were shown. The host talked about the traditions of Kolkata,the people....their food habits....Durga Puja n so on. Every little detail he spoke about Kolkata made me feel so proud. It was a feeling that somebody was talking about and praising my land,my culture and my traditions. Maybe that's the reason why I love watching movies like Parineeta which outrightly show everything authentic about Kolkata,especially the beginning where the background voice of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan describes the Kolkata in 1960's.
