A short Tour to Kolkata- Part-1

Statue of Rabindranath Tagore

Last month of this year my friends were came to me from Deheradun. They were came Kolkata with their families and two wishes, one is to see Durga Puja which is world famous and second one is Kolkata Tour. Their first wish was fulfilled.

Their second wish was to ‘Kolkata Darshan’( visit to Kolkata). Kolkata, this name is not very old, during the time of leftist Government ruling in West Bengal, especially at the time of Mr. Budhyadeb Bhattacharya as the Chief Minister of Bengal, he renamed this “City of Joy’ ‘Kolkata’. Earlier about 300 years it was known as ‘Calcutta’ for the world.  This is an old city which was established by the British Ruler as this city was their capital of their colonial country. In the year 1857, a history famous battle was fought between Shiraj-Ud-Doulla, Nawab of Bengal and British Army Chief, Lord Carzon at Palasi battle field of Murshidabad. That battle had changed the fate of India and the administrative baton was transferred from Desi Nawab to British Rulers. Thereafter, the British Rulers were won entire India gradually.

One of my friends of Kolkata has a car rental agency. I told him to arrange one big vehicle where 12/13 persons can be accommodated easily and also a driver who knows Kolkata properly. That friend of mine kept his word and arranged as per my requirement. 

We were started our Kolkata tour from Excide More. This is the junction, from where anybody can get transport for any part of the city.

Calcutta Club- Kolkata

Calcutta Club: This is the first Bengali club which was established in the year 1907 and the first president was Mr. Nriependra Narayan, the Maharaja of Cooch Bihar of North Bengal. Lord Minto, the Viceroy of British Government was the first white member of this club. The most noticeable matter is that, before 2007, only men were permitted for membership as per the constitution of the club; after 2007, which point was changed and women are allowed for membership. This is situated on A.J.C.B. Road, Kolkata-20.

Gagendra Nath Shilpa Pradarshanshala

Gagendra Nath Shilpa Pradarshanshala: This is an Art Gallery for Art Exhibitions. It is situated on A.J.C.B. Road, Kolkata-20 and opposite to Calcutta Club.

Sisir Mancha- Kolkata

Sisir Mancha: It is situated on A.J. Bose Road, Kolkata-20 and adjacent to Gagendra Nath Shilp Pradarshanshala. This is an auditorium which was dedicated to the famous Bengali Stage Actor Sirsir Kumar Bhaduri. This auditorium was inaugurated in the year 1978.

Nandan-Kolkata

Nandan: This is also an auditorium for Film and Cultural Programmes. It is situated beside of Sisir Mancha. This auditorium is sponsored by the West Bengal State Government. It was inaugurated on October 1985.

Rabindra Sadan- Kolkata

Rabindra Sadan: This is a famous auditorium for cultural and theatre center. This is situated beside of Nandan. It was inaugurate by the former Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the month of October 1967. This auditorium was dedicated in the name of the world famous Bengali poet, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore.

More About-Kolkata-New Edition: 01

Victoria Memorial

The name of the city- Kolkata is newly changed. Earlier the name of this city was Calcutta. It was the capital of British India. Near about 200 years, India was under the ruling of British Queen. On 15th August 1947, this country became independent.

Victoria Memorial: British Government was ruled in India in the name of Queen Victoria. Victoria Memorial was built by the Indian British ruler as the magnificent monument with the glassy white marble acquiring huge area of land. The most remarkable thing of this Memorial is that at the a revolving statue of angle with Bugle blowing. It moves automatically any of the four sides according to the wind blow. Its indicate the trend of side of wind blow.  This is the one of the attraction of this place. This Victoria Memorial is situated at the center and surrounding this monument, huge green grass covered field, gardens, big pond, etc. it can be suggested a piece of fresh breathing within the busy city. It has two parts, one is the glassy marble made Victoria Memorial Palace and next one is its beautiful gardens with pond and different types of colorful flowers. Inside of the memorial, there is a museum where various and different types mementos of British period are kept for showing to the visitors. There are so many different types of long and high trees surrounding this monument. Earlier, most of the people would come here for morning walk. Then there was no entry fee for the garden are. But now it is implemented due to control unwanted rush and keep the area of this place clean. Now the entry of common people within this area is restricted by time of entry; form garden, the time is 5.30 AM to 7.00PM and Museum entry time is 10.00AM to 6.00PM. The contact number is: +91033-2223 8109. The nearest Airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and airport is just 16 km far from the Victoria Memorial. Hotels which are nearby of this monument of Art, Grand Oberoi, Taj Bengal, these are 5 stars hotels. Other than these hotels, there are many 3 starts and ordinary hotel near this Victoria Memorial.

Elliot Park -Kolkata

Elliot Park: Elliot Park is just behind of Victoria Memorial. This is a public park. This is very beautiful place of freshness and pleasing park in the city. This park is covered by trees, decorated bushes and there is also a beautiful fountain. At the night this fountain looks very beautiful for its different color changing lighting. Here has food stalls. This place is perfect for picnic.

Musical Fountain- Mohor Kunja

Mohor Kunja Park: Earlier it was Citizen’s Park. Thereafter it’s name was change to Mohor Kunja Park. This name was kept in the honor of famous Rabindra Sangeet Singer Kanika Bandyopadhyay. It is also famous for its musical fountains and for musical open stage for singers, dramatists, etc.

Purulia-06- Dances and Songs and Crafts

Natua Dance: This is an ancient dance form of this district. Natua means Nataraj which was performed by Lord Shiva. There is a mythological believe that the Nandi & Vringi the two wel known devotees of Lord Shiva were performed this kind of dance at the time of marriage of their lord with Goddess Durga. This dance is not so easy to perform; it is very acrobatic dance form with many tricks with fire are involved in this dance form.
Bhuang: this is another dance form which performed by the tribes at the time autumn. This is a emotional piece of dance which dancers are use one kind of instrument called bhuyung which has very distinct sound.
Jhumur:  Another most famous folk music of this district. The most remarkable and originality of this song is that this form does not follow any definite form. This is also very popular and significant for its lyric and literary of ancient language among the Santali, Munda, Oraon, Kharia, Jhumur songs are different for different festivals. Mdal, Flutie, drum, etc all typical instruments are played during Jhumur songs. The specialty of Jhumur is that its expresses sorrow and joy of the common people with their lifestyle, their dreams, their dissatisfactions, etc. the characteristic of such Jhumur is love and kindness for life.
Birta Dance: This is also a traditional dance of Purulia district. Generally women who are unable to give birth of child perform this kind of dance to admire their God after fulfilling their wishes. This kind of dance is only can be performed by the women. It is belief that their children are born due to the blessing of God. So they are very thankful to their God and such dance is performed to worship to God.

Picture of Fishes- Patua Art

Picture of Goddess Manasa- Patua Art

Patua Art: Patua Art means, an art which is performed on the pot.Generally the patua artists are belonging to the villages. They learn this art generation after generation, from father to son or daughter. The Patua artists are generally picked the vital portion of epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata; not only that they also consider the local theme for their Patua art. They also consider the tribal lifestyle and Birgatha (heroic life of their surroundings. They are generally try to describe the story of their theme of art. The patua artists are generally show their art at any Mela or fair to the local and gathered public and earn some money.    Sometime this art is also performed on long cloths. At the time of showing the arts they narrate the basic story of the picture on sing format. This kind of traditional art is almost disappeared as the same has not publicity and development policy adopt by the Government. Patua artists are not getting enough income showing such art publicly; so that, the next generation is not being interested very much to carry this traditional art form. Recently,  the state and as well as Central Government of India have taken some effective step to survive such traditional and ancient art form.