Ballavpurer Roopkatha | MK Production : In It...

With the first success in form of Prahuti, Maniktala Kolpokatha team moved onward for their next production. After a long interval of six months, and I thought I would be good in writing my blog too... after an interval of around two months.

The second production put forward by Maniktala Kolpokatha, was supposedly the earliest brainchild of the group, but due to certain logistics problem, Prahuti pioneered the pavement. I, though being an office bearer through both the performances, would like to speak something in depth about the sweats and calories burnt out, to bring this show together.

Mind it! All the actors in this classical drama by the late play-writer, Badal Sarkar, comes from a regular background of service men and research scholars, who, as per the theme of the cultural group; tried to do something different from their own normal daily chores. And we tried our best.

A collage from the Stage Rehearsal

The journey started in August 2012. Just after the resolution of establishment of this group, several actors came and went, until it stalled into ten; who supposedly thought would take the bat along, but had to change the team just in the eleventh hour for two members had unavoidable problems at hand. But as the Great Showman of India, Raj Kapoor Saheb had mentioned, " The Show Must Go On!", the team members took every effort to bring the masterpiece with their potions of edits; which we hoped the audience of the day (May 15th, 2013) at Tapan Theatre, Kolkata, loved to applaud for.

A collage from the Day of The Show

Maniktala Kolpokatha is preparing for their third appearance on stage, by the year. I hope you all will be there to inspire us to let our gray cells work wonders in a world of smoke; to make three hours of your life, magical and memorable, every time. That is our endeavor; hope to see you in your seats the coming show.

For details, contact: kolpokathatheculturalgroup@gmail.com

Christmas Calcutta

Winter 2011, was lethargic, chilled and enjoyable; just like the way you would expect winter to be after a sweltering summer in the tropics. Calcutta is rocking in Winter and 2011 reminds me of my school days, when the chill was as bone shaking as it is today, (27.12.11; 00:07hrs). Well, it surely would come into the flavor, when I met my school-time pal as well as had a sneak peep into the night life at Park Street and associated areas after 7 long years. After 2004, that is; I have never visited Park Street in Christmas!

The carols weren't heard though, but loved the spices of "Bangali-ana", flavors of Bengal in it! Park Street, on 24th Dec, 2011 was almost inaccessible. Leaving the options of Oly, Mags or PeterCat, Arunima opted for the  Tung Fong - her family restaurant! Munching on the butter fry and tung fong chic specials and chatting over two and a half large pegs of Blender's Pride, I enjoyed my evening with Sudipto, Neel and not to mention, Arunima. Ironically, I celebrated my 10 years of friendship with her, since 2001. Old and seasoned ducks, we are!!!

Some memoirs...

Then there was 25th, December 2011. Well, the spirit was already in, literally as we well as virtually. After completing the quota of my Sunday tuition, I headed for the same place and this time, armed with my Nikon D5000, hoping to capture the moments of smiles and frolic. But Park Street literally clogged my ambition, due to the swarm of Calcutta public. Seemed more like 25000 strong battalion, marching to capture the minimal space of the street, renamed after Mother Teresa as Mother Teresa Sarani. I asked my colleague (Nandana), to board down at Maidan rather than Park Street. It seemed comparatively empty. Well, by the time the girl could arrive in her attire I took the opportunity to aim my lens towards the cultural heritage that Calcutta boasts of! Programs ranging from the tunes of Rabindranath Tagore to the modern pop like Kolaveri D! Little artists came under the spotlight with their recitations, synthesizers, hornets and claps from the masses. It was Christmas Chill in Calcutta. The mood was in and so was the light and sound. The city was vibrant and Calcutta justified her name as the Cultural Capital of India. It never deprives the intellect nor doe sit deprive the capitalists! Neon light flooded the streets announcing their presence within the neurons of the city, ready to give you kind in exchange of cash! There you have, paani-puris, which we adore in the name of fuchka, momos, santa-caps, horns, balloons, soap bubbles... name them, you have them!

And then, there was light too!

Nandana came in and thanks to her, I came across a very nice ritual, which I am not ashamed of mentioning. Lighting the candles infront of Saint Paul's Cathedral. Felt light and happy after doing so, although I have only a pic of her doing the same and a few more...

"Silent Night! Holy Night!

All is Calm, All is Bright!"

26th December, 2011. With India dominating the Boxing Day Test match, Down Under against Australia- little did I know that I will be heading for a fascinating exhibition at the Art College, beside Indian Museum in their annual cultural and art fiesta called Parampara. Its 147th year this time and my Holy Lord! The pinches of never pursuing this career started haunting me as long as I was out there. Some great photography, works of art out of scrap material, painting, knit work and then there was a skit performed on the college grounds. Loved it!

In brief, Calcutta shone and glittered amidst the footsteps of the Santa and Lord Jesus. Looking forward for a great winter ahead and also a great year! 2012, many things will change, but I wish, the winter in Calcutta (Kolkata) remains the same!

Till then... enjoy reading!

Eid Mubarak.. Life in Calcutta.

After a long time, I was working all alone and was alone in the streets of my home town...the city with inexplicable memories, each and every nook and corner. The calender earmarked it with Eid. One of the pious festivities that the Islamic world celebrates with one singular voice: "Mubarak (congrats)". This world has traveled all the lexicons from the Mecca to the Macau... Arab to Phillipines... "Mubarak..Eid Mubarak".

31/8/11. A day, that I revisited the by-lanes of city. Those, that I was regular, at a time when everything was new with the freedom of becoming a High School kid! Then college, brought in those places, vividly. Today, Eid glittered the lights through those by-lanes, bypassing the present day's chores of a PhD scholar, to a regular Bengali, loving to walk through the streets of Calcutta..

It was some nominal chores at my work place.. feeding the bacteria on some new "food beds"; spinning down the DNA; frantically finding the primers for a Gradient PCR...technicalities is so normal these days, for me. Then, I had promised a Biriyani treat for my mom; from the famous Arsalan. But then, you had to cope up standing in the queue for more than an hour to book your parcel. Wish I had Barrack with me to give me the taste of Arsalan's Biriyani on Eid MuBARRACK! ;) I retraced the pavement, and succeeded in buying the stuff from Alibaba. (It was good, but not like Arsalan's)

With the food packed in order, I boarded the auto, not knowing that my romance for this OLD CALCUTTA would change the day...still keeping pace with my mood!

The vehicle swerved through the Mullickbazar's vehicular debacle, to land up in Eliot Road. The name was common as ten years ago also, I was a common factor in these lanes,  twice a week. For my English tuition. The group that changed my outlook, happened to be formed in here and there you go; the names and faces came fluttering across my memory... (all settled in their own spheres...busy with life now).

Eid always brings in a jolt of breeze that suddenly start smelling like autumn. The genetical clock of the Bengalis start sensing time for the Pujas to arrive. The roasted meat, the biriyani, the flowers..they all intermingle with the smell of the old residential bricks that brings in the sense of belonging to the place, with your soul. This season I will miss a major chunk of the festivities... But I wish to rediscover Calcutta more...

This time, I will have my Nikon D5000 with me!