I was always drawn to the City of Joy. Although i was not born or
brought up in Bengal, but then the city has always attracted me. I don't
know maybe it’s the bong connection or just plain romance, but Calcutta
has always been my home away from home.
Yes, I still prefer Calcutta over Kolkata. The name has its own sophisticated charm. The city is like a 50 years old wine, although older but mellower in its charm. It’s not paced like Bombay or not even historical like Delhi but has its own unique charm which draws you in.
I miss the anticipation of the trains reaching Howrah Station. I remember how I would try to squeeze my small head between the window frames of the train to see the approaching station. How suddenly my face would be wearing this huge smile as the final halt of the train would give me the sense of being at my home. The jostling of the crowd to get down the train and traverse the entire length of the platforms to be in front of the queue for Pre-paid taxis. Standing in those long queue watching the majestic Howrah Bridge would always light up my world.
Crossing underneath the majestic Howrah Bridge with the Hoogly river on both side would always keep me awestruck. Some of the taxi driver would pay a silent prayer to Goddess Kali facing towards Dakhineswar as they made their way over the bridge.
As i would enter the city, Barra Bazaar with its old tall frail buildings with overhead web of cables would catch my sight. I always dreaded going into the bazaar since I would fail to find my way back to the main road, getting lost in those labyrinth of lanes and by-lanes inside the bazaar.
The grand St. Cathedral church would always make my eyes go all round and big. I always wanted to go inside this church since it looked so beautiful from outside, but sadly haven't done so.
I miss the lawns of Victoria Memorial, watching the setting sun cross over the topmost mast of the bow carrying angel. The carriage ride in front of the road crossing Victoria. Shouting out in delight when the jockey would make the horses gallop forward with more speed.
I miss Esplanade specially Fairlawn hotel. One of the best places to have chilled beer in the company of friends and strangers alike. The long lines of shop selling branded clothes along with the hawkers selling everything and anything under the sun. I miss having the candies,popcons,Jhalmuri from the roadside hawkers of that area.
Crossing over Park Street always makes me nostalgic. This one street has given me more memories than I can count for. Those chello kababs of Peter Cat, the live piano of Moulin Rouge, the continental yummy food of Mocambo, the breakfast at Flurry's..my tongue and stomach always loved to indulge themselves while on Park Street.
How can I forget Oly Pub..one of the oldest and the best pub in Calcutta. I have lost count of the number of memories I have attached with this Pub. The ambience of this pub makes you fall in love with it over and over again. From romance to hardcore political discussion, from new lovers to extra marital affairs. You get to see and hear things from all walks of life in this pub with your favorite drink.
I love dancing and Tantra and Roxy had been my best companions in matters of dance. These two night clubs in The Park hotel are two of the best clubs the city has to offer. Those alcohol induced, electro music infused clubbing nights can never be forgotten. And for the people who loves live music, SomePlace Else is the perfect place to drop by. I have lost count of the number of songs i had sang along in this place.
Also the lobby of The Park Hotel has many memories. I can never get tired of sitting in those huge Oval shaped couches and clicking selfies..The overhead cylindrical lights keeps you enchanted.
I love South Calcutta more since my grandparents stay there. Places like Southern Avenue, Gariahat,Kasba,Ruby,South City,Tolly Metro,Kalighat bring on nostalgia. So many romances, so many addas, so many shopping, so many meeting, so many cups of tea, so many hukah sessions and the list could go on and on.
Being in Calcutta, you would always get a feeling like you belong to the place even if you are a non-Bengali. The people here are extra sweet and extra receptive in order to please you.
As I have resided in places away from Bengal, I was always thirsty to get a drop of Bengali into my ears. The language is one of the sweetest in India. So being in Calcutta would give me a chance to take a whole dip into the language.
From driving on E.M Bypass at 120kmph at night, eating at Balwant singh's dhabba, getting lost in the same looking roads of Salt Lake, having intense discussions at Nandan, Lying down on the fields of JU, being peevish at Rabindra Sarobar, bringing up bhokti and saadhna at Kalighat, buying rare books in College street, hogging on Chinese food in China town, street shopping in Gariahat, metro rides, tram rides, China whites and cafe bindaas, enjoying the sunset sitting at Maidan, checking out girls at South city mall, unlimited taxi rides , gorging on roshogulla and sandesh, the tasty lip smacking out of the world Phuchka(panipuri) of vivekanondo park...the list is countless..
Moving away from the city has only made me want to go back to it even more.
You can take a Bengali out of Kolkata..But you can't take Kolkata out of a Bengali...!!
Yes, I still prefer Calcutta over Kolkata. The name has its own sophisticated charm. The city is like a 50 years old wine, although older but mellower in its charm. It’s not paced like Bombay or not even historical like Delhi but has its own unique charm which draws you in.
I miss the anticipation of the trains reaching Howrah Station. I remember how I would try to squeeze my small head between the window frames of the train to see the approaching station. How suddenly my face would be wearing this huge smile as the final halt of the train would give me the sense of being at my home. The jostling of the crowd to get down the train and traverse the entire length of the platforms to be in front of the queue for Pre-paid taxis. Standing in those long queue watching the majestic Howrah Bridge would always light up my world.
Crossing underneath the majestic Howrah Bridge with the Hoogly river on both side would always keep me awestruck. Some of the taxi driver would pay a silent prayer to Goddess Kali facing towards Dakhineswar as they made their way over the bridge.
As i would enter the city, Barra Bazaar with its old tall frail buildings with overhead web of cables would catch my sight. I always dreaded going into the bazaar since I would fail to find my way back to the main road, getting lost in those labyrinth of lanes and by-lanes inside the bazaar.
The grand St. Cathedral church would always make my eyes go all round and big. I always wanted to go inside this church since it looked so beautiful from outside, but sadly haven't done so.
I miss the lawns of Victoria Memorial, watching the setting sun cross over the topmost mast of the bow carrying angel. The carriage ride in front of the road crossing Victoria. Shouting out in delight when the jockey would make the horses gallop forward with more speed.
I miss Esplanade specially Fairlawn hotel. One of the best places to have chilled beer in the company of friends and strangers alike. The long lines of shop selling branded clothes along with the hawkers selling everything and anything under the sun. I miss having the candies,popcons,Jhalmuri from the roadside hawkers of that area.
Crossing over Park Street always makes me nostalgic. This one street has given me more memories than I can count for. Those chello kababs of Peter Cat, the live piano of Moulin Rouge, the continental yummy food of Mocambo, the breakfast at Flurry's..my tongue and stomach always loved to indulge themselves while on Park Street.
How can I forget Oly Pub..one of the oldest and the best pub in Calcutta. I have lost count of the number of memories I have attached with this Pub. The ambience of this pub makes you fall in love with it over and over again. From romance to hardcore political discussion, from new lovers to extra marital affairs. You get to see and hear things from all walks of life in this pub with your favorite drink.
I love dancing and Tantra and Roxy had been my best companions in matters of dance. These two night clubs in The Park hotel are two of the best clubs the city has to offer. Those alcohol induced, electro music infused clubbing nights can never be forgotten. And for the people who loves live music, SomePlace Else is the perfect place to drop by. I have lost count of the number of songs i had sang along in this place.
Also the lobby of The Park Hotel has many memories. I can never get tired of sitting in those huge Oval shaped couches and clicking selfies..The overhead cylindrical lights keeps you enchanted.
I love South Calcutta more since my grandparents stay there. Places like Southern Avenue, Gariahat,Kasba,Ruby,South City,Tolly Metro,Kalighat bring on nostalgia. So many romances, so many addas, so many shopping, so many meeting, so many cups of tea, so many hukah sessions and the list could go on and on.
Being in Calcutta, you would always get a feeling like you belong to the place even if you are a non-Bengali. The people here are extra sweet and extra receptive in order to please you.
As I have resided in places away from Bengal, I was always thirsty to get a drop of Bengali into my ears. The language is one of the sweetest in India. So being in Calcutta would give me a chance to take a whole dip into the language.
From driving on E.M Bypass at 120kmph at night, eating at Balwant singh's dhabba, getting lost in the same looking roads of Salt Lake, having intense discussions at Nandan, Lying down on the fields of JU, being peevish at Rabindra Sarobar, bringing up bhokti and saadhna at Kalighat, buying rare books in College street, hogging on Chinese food in China town, street shopping in Gariahat, metro rides, tram rides, China whites and cafe bindaas, enjoying the sunset sitting at Maidan, checking out girls at South city mall, unlimited taxi rides , gorging on roshogulla and sandesh, the tasty lip smacking out of the world Phuchka(panipuri) of vivekanondo park...the list is countless..
Moving away from the city has only made me want to go back to it even more.
You can take a Bengali out of Kolkata..But you can't take Kolkata out of a Bengali...!!
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