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.

Visible Places of Kolkata

Rickshaw Puller

Kolkata is a most decent place to visit . Since from the British raj , Kolkata is the prime centre of discussion of the country India . It is always highlighted by the other countries of the world . Kolkata was always advanced in culture , education and sociological development since from the British raj . British administrators were very much keen on this Kolkata as it was their capital . Thus one myth was very popular with the country that "what Calcutta thinks today , India thinks tomorrow".

Kolkata- the name of the city was given very shortly , just few years ago . Earlier it was known as Calcutta . Calcutta itself has a big history that I wrote in my earlier blog , "Kolkata- the city of history".

 
In the field of Art & Culture , first of all , the name of Academy of fine Arts . It is situated at heart of the city . This is one of the oldest fine art societies in the country . It has eight galleries at its ground floor . These eight galleries provide huge space for displaying exhibition single or group of arts of the artists . On the first floor have an extensive museum where has a large collection of various types of arts done by the famous artists of the country .

Birla Academy of Arts & Culture , This is another perceptible place in Kolkata . It is also popular like Academy of fine arts . Birla academy of arts & culture is absolute treasure for arts' fans . Its' all collections of India modern arts are enough to motivate to the new artists . These collections of modern arts are like to inspire the new artists generation after generation . Rabindra Sadan , Rabindra Sadan is an auditorium situated nearby academy of fine arts . It is dedicated to famous Bengali poet , Nobel Prize winner , Sri , Rabindra Nath Tagore . This is not a general auditorium , most of the time , the selected dramas , dance dramas , etc. is taken place . Other than these many functions , group theaters , etc. are also taken place at this auditorium .

Mohar Kunja , This is an open stage for performing various cultural programs , like traditional vocal song program performs by vocal artists , band music programs.

Victoria Memorial Hall , This memorial hall is constructed by earlier British ruler in the name of their Queen Victoria . This is a museum of various portraits , and other things which were used at that time . Surrounding this Victoria Memorial Hall is having beautiful and decorated garden as the cool example of natural beauty .

Nandan is another place of attraction of culture . It is constructed mainly for showing selected , prize winner movies of India and also of the foreign countries . The area of Nandan is also very beautiful and this is divided between two parts , Namdan-1 & Nandan- 2 .

In my coming blogs I will write in brief of other important places of Kolkata .