Today is Baishey Shravan, a day that no Bengali can forget

Rabindranath Tagore is a name that has become an integral part of the Bengali culture. He was born in a well-to-do family in 1861 and revealed his talents even as a child. As he grew older, he began to show his skill as not only a poet but also as a writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. In fact, his two liners said a lot in a few words. He reshaped Bengali literature and music apart from Indian art. He established an open-air college in the midst of nature and named it Shantiniketan - the abode of peace. Students came there from far corners of the country as well as from abroad. Gradually, his name spread from the confines of Bengal to far corners of the world and he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. It was for his collection of poems Gitanjali published in London in 1912. He was the first Indian to earn the honor. It gave global recognition to his literary reputation.

He left for his heavenly abode on 7 August 1941. It was Baishey Shravan (22nd day of the month of Shravan). His void left a loss in the world of Bengalis but his contribution to the cultural world will remain. Many of his short stories and novels have become hit movies in not only Bengali but in other Indian languages. Even today, his songs and dances are deemed to be the platform for children to graduate to the world of seniors. His songs are in a world of their own and labelled as Rabindrasangeet. It is a unique tribute that makes his name immortal.

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Street food in Kolkata during lunch hour

Kolkata is a unique city. People come here daily from the suburbs and distant places for work. Some of them work in offices, some in businesses. They come by local trains or cross the River Ganges in steamers or use buses or other forms of public transports. Many of them have to depend on local food outlets during lunchtime. That is when the street food vendors become active. They have a wide variety of products that include pure Bengali dishes like rice, dal, fish curry with some fries and pickles. In case someone wants to have some sweets like sandesh or rosogolla, he can get that also from another vendor.

Then there are those who love biriyani or chapatti with mutton or chicken dishes. Even bread sandwich and omelet are available. There are also demands for Chinese dishes like chow mien. All these are on offer during the lunch hour when the customers enjoy their chosen dishes amidst the rush of traffic on the road. They ignore the dangerous fumes from the exhausts that pollute the surroundings. For those who want to play safe, there are seasonal fruits available in plenty. In short, Kolkata is a vibrant city and the range of street foods is mindboggling. There is something for everyone.


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When Bollywood film stars fall in love with Kolkata

Kolkata is buzzing with news of a 70-plus Bollywood actor who has been seen on Howrah Bridge riding a scooter. He had earlier been seen in the lobbies of Writer’s Building and even in front of the red building riding the two wheeler. He had earlier ridden a bicycle in another film. And – who knows, he could now take on a rickshaw in a future film.
The hero of City of Joy, a 1992 movie directed by Roland Joffe, had in fact, driven a rickshaw. He was a rickshaw puller.

Kolkata has always been an attractive locale for films and the trend had probably been set by the movie City of Joy of the 1970s. It is natural for Bengali films to be filmed in the city but, when it comes to Bollywood movies that have a greater appeal in the national market, it means Kolkata has plenty of variety to offer.
Movies based on stories of Rabindra Nath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya have always held a special place in the hearts of people and when the actors get down to business donning period dresses, the outcome makes producers happy.
Most of these stories are love stories with boats sailing lazily in the waters and the songs touch and move your heart. And then there is the most important festival of Bengalis –the Durga Puja. Movies that have this festival interwoven in the plot makes it a sure shot box office hit.
Most of the Hindi movies shot in Kolkata have proved to be hits – and, several new faces have emerged in the movie world where non- Bengalis have proved their worth and have stolen the thunder from the Bengalis.

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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