PURULIA

        Purulia unveiled a new face of Bengal before me. I've been to the hilly parts of Bankura district. But Purulia is different. It's rough & enigmatic. And believe me, this harshness is the beauty of Purulia.
        There is a large forest cover. Still the area looks nude. There are rivers & falls. But the area is arid.

         We got off at Barabhum station from where  trekker takes approx.40 minutes to reach Baghmundi, the nearest town to Ayodhya hills. When we left the station area behind we entered a whole new world of undulating land, red soil, forest, rocks & hills.

    

       AYODHYA HILLS

          Ayodhya & other hills in the western parts of West Bengal are parts of the Eastern Ghats. Ayodhya,situated in Purulia district near the border with Jharkhand is under thick forest cover & houses many wild animals. In the parts where human activities are high, density of forest & animal species is low. Other parts or peaks are out of reach the tourists.

         In 2008 was inaugurated Purulia Pumped Storage Project, a hydroelectric power plant generating 900 MW of energy. When the water rushes down from the upper to  lower reservoir, its kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy.

         The upper & lower reservoirs, popularly known as  upper & lower dam are breathtakingly beautiful.  Large water bodies on the lap of the hills provide our body, soul & mind with much needed relief in this land of hard,solid rocks! Rigidity & fluidity here lie together & create beauty.

LOWER DAM

UPPER DAM

DAM TOP ROAD ( UPPER DAM)

        

            Mayur pahar (peacock hill) is a peak of Ayodhya hills. Getting to its top is no difficult job. Mayur pahar allows the panoramic view of  Ayodhya range. 

FROM TOP OF MAYUR PAHAR

PART OF THE PANORAMIC VIEW OF AYODHYA

       Bamni is a beautiful river flowing on the hills. Rocks of various shapes & sizes try to hinder har path. But Bamni is undomitable. She makes her way through the rocks & ultimately falls off the cliff making an enigmatic falls & a lake below. Adventurous souls climb down to catch a glimpse of the falls. 

      Though rattling sound of the water, huge rocks, thick foliage & solitude give an eerie sensation, Bamni falls is a must-visit place.

BAMNI FIGHTING WITH THE ROCKS

BAMNI

BAMNI

YOUNGSTERS BEFRIENDED BAMNI

BAMNI FALLS

        Matha buru ( 'buru' means hill) is the training ground for the rock climbers. The hill is quite high & almost nude. Hats off to the people who climb up this formidable mass of rock !

MATHA BURU

        Popro kocha was suggested by the locals. According to them, this is the best spot in Ayodhya. We drove past the tribal villages. Their houses are fine examples of artistry!
     
       The tribal people don't have any formal training in painting. But that doesn't deter them from embellishing their humble mud houses with beautiful designs. The sketch, colour combination, everything is impeccable.

A TRIBAL HOUSE

        When we reached Popro kocha, we all went  'WOW!'  In front of our eyes was a huge lake surrounded by hills. On the backdrop was a hill with two peaks standing like two bodyguards in 'alert' position. Near the lake was a plain field.  Maybe Nature was tired of making plateaus & hills & for a change crafted this small piece of plain land!

POPRO KOCHA

THE PLAIN  LAND

        CHORIDA

        Chorida is 3 km. away from Baghmundi. This can be called 'village of masks' because Chorida produces masks used by the chhau dancers. Also,the smaller masks used as showpiece are made here.

        People of all age groups in the village are engaged in the business. The village looks like a workshop. You'll find masks being dried out roadside, little boys preparing the headgears, seniors doing eyes,lips etc. of MAA DURGA. The masks are made without using mould.

       Chhau dance depends heavily on MAA DURGA. This power packed dance form depicts the tale of GODDESS DURGA killing the dreadful demon MAHISHASUR.  So, the masks of MAA DURGA, GANESHA, ASURA dominate the market.

       

         Bengalis love simplicity. They have the ability to create extraordinary with the help of ordinary. To believe this you have to see how the masks are made using paper mash, soil,plastic beads, iron wire etc.

JAYRAMBATI

       SRI SRI MAA SARADA DEBI, divine consort of  SRI RAMKRISHNA PARAMHANSA DEB was born to Ramchandra Mukherjee & Shyama sundari Debi in the year of 1853 in the village of Jayrambati in Bankura district.  Like other Indian villages in 19th century Jayrambati was handicapped by poverty,ignorance,superstition & exploitation.

      Some people are like stars. They keep emitting light & illuminate everything even when they are no more. SARADA MAA is one of them. She was born in Jayrambati,that's why the place has become a pilgrim centre & a seat for the worldwide Ramkrishna movement.


      Get off at the bus stop known as Maa-er ghat  It's named so because there's a large water body by the road which is related to SARADA MAA. When SHE was in her childhood,SHE used to collect herbs for cattle from the pond. The little girl fearlessly walked through the water infested by snake,leech etc. to make sure the domestic animals were well-fed! Motherhood knows no boundaries.

MAA-ER GHAT

      To reach the temple cross the road & walk down the lane lined by shops selling terracotta items,conch shells etc.There's a makeshift shop run by a lady who sells must-have chops.  The lane before taking a right turn leads you to the outlet of Ramkrishna Mission which sells various items like t-shirts,bed covers, bags,wallets etc. made by local people. They are trained in handicrafts as a part of RKM's rural development programme. The products bear the testimony of  expertise of the rural people, especially women.


     Beside the outlet is Bhanu pisir bhite ( house of aunt Bhanu). Bhanu pisi was a child-widow living with her parents in Jayrambati. Though there was no blood relation, Maa called her pisi (aunt). While all the villagers took Ramkrishna Deb for mentally challenged, Bhanu pisi didn't mistake. She recognized HIS supernal character.  Pisi's house is no more. Her family members handed over the plot to RKM. Now there stands a slab with engraved forms of MAA & Bhanu pisi.

BHANU PISIR BHITE

     Next to Pisi's bhite (house) is Matri Mandir (Temple of the Mother).

        MATRI MANDIR

         In the temple premises there are two houses of  MAA, MAA-er kulo debatar mandir (the guardian deity of MAA's family), a guest house, dining hall, kitchen, office, book shop, a police outpost & the temple of MAA ( MATRI MANDIR).

         The two houses are known as old & new house of MAA ( MAA-er purono ar notun bari). But the old house is not the original house. Temple of the MOTHER was built on the spot where original house of Mukherjees was situated. Maa was born in that house. The antur ghar or the room where pregnant women would be in child-bed was where the sanctum sanctorum is situated now.Later, Ramchandra moved in a the house he built on  a new plot. This is known as Old House. His sister-in-law (bhai-er bou)  used to live in one corner of the original house with her daughter. MAA's brothers used the vacant portions of the original house to store the paddy-straw. maa's aunt (kakima) happily handed over her portion  to RKM. MAA's three brothers after a lot of persuasion agreed to sell their portion & charged Rs. 300. Construction started in 1921 & the temple was inaugurated on 19th April,1923.

         Then The temple was much smaller. The natmandir ( room for dancing & musical performances) was added later. In the sanctum there was a photograph of MAA. The marble statue was installed in 1954 & the photograph was shifted to the room behind.

         THE OLD HOUSE ( PURONO BARI)

         The house was built when MAA was 9-year-old. SHE lived here till 1916 when a new house was built by Sharat Maharaj. The house still retains its original form & charm. The room where MAA is worshiped now was HER bedroom. Adjacent room was HER thakur ghar ( room for worship & prayer). Now it is used for the same purpose by the monks only. There are rooms of Shyama sundari Debi & pagli mami ( mad aunt - MAA's youngest sister-in-law), kitchen & drawing room.

        All were served food on the veranda of this house.sed When they were done, MAA used to cleanse the place herself! 100 years ago it was unthinkable as casteism was rampant in the society. One day niece Nalini revolted : aunt, what's this? You are cleaning the scraps of meals irrespective of caste n creed! MAA smilingly replied, what caste n creed! All are mine. (sab je amar)

       Old house witnessed MAA's battle against casteism,bigotry,superstition & exploitation. This house in Jayrambati became a centre of the spiritual movement that SRI RAMKRISHNA DEB initiated in Dakshineswar. The old house was actually an abode of new.

THE OLD HOUSE

        THE NEW HOUSE (NOTUN BARI)

        Number of devotees was increasing. To call on MAA people would go to Jayrambati from far-off places like Barishal,Coochbihar etc. MAA used to live in the old house with HER big family consisting of brothers, sisters-in-law, nephew, niece, sons-in-law & grandchildren. Some monks also were there. The house became too small to accommodate all.

       Sharat maharaj planned a new house for MAA. The land near Punyi pukur was purchased & under the supervision of Rasbehari maharaj the house was constructed. In 1916 MAA moved in HER notun bari (new house) alongwith Radhu & Nalini.

     Here the rooms were not attached to each other. MAA used to live in the room where SHE is worshiped now. The room is divided into two floors. here were rooms for Radhu di & Nalini di also. Radhu di would live with her baby boy. Her husband would visit frequently. Jagaddhatri puja  used to be held in this house. Now it has been shifted to the lawn of the temple.

NEW HOUSE

        Adjacent to the house is a large water body, punyi pukur. At hat time the pond was filled with  herbs & filth. RKM bought this pond & the monk, Gyan maharaj cleaned it. The pond is used by the Mission as well as the local people.

PUNYI PUKUR

       In front of the old house lives the family of Bhudeb Mukherjee, nephew of MAA. They worship a statuette of GOPAL (little KRISHNA) which SHE gave to HER nephew. This is the room where Jagaddhatri puja was held for four years before it was shifted to the new house.


       On the northern side Jayrambati was bordered by a river called Amodor. It was fed by the mighty Kangsaboti. Since MAA was fond of the Ganga, She called it 'the Ganga of Jayrambati'. SHE loved to bathe in that river. Ramchandra Mukherjee, MAA's father used to meditate on the bank of Amodor. RKM  has discovered that spot & converted it into a beautiful garden of both terrestrial & aquatic plants.

GARDEN ON THE BANK OF AMODOR

        Now Amodor is in rudimentary stage. It remains dry if water is not pumped in. But the picture was different in the past. People needed boats to cross it. Some wrote in their memoirs that they have seen crocodiles in Amodor. Now RKM takes care of the river.

AMODOR

       MAA was deeply pained  because Jayrambati was deprived of modern healthcare, education & safe drinking water.   A well was dug up on HER  instruction. It was used only for drinking & cooking by HER family, Mission & the neighbours. SHE established a free school & a charitable dispensary. These were the seeds which later germinated into high school, junior basic school, vocational training school, library, coaching centre, homoeopathic-cum-allopathic dispensary & mobile medical unit.


      There are tourist lodges, shops & a continuous flow of tourists in Jayrambati. Vehicles of all shapes n sizes ply on the road. In spite of all these Jayrambati is surprisingly tranquil.  You'll feel pacified, rejuvenated. It's the magic of Mother's touch.


       

        

BENGALI FOOD

        Bengalis are made of fish , rice & sweetmeats. They are obsessed with mutton & chicken. They hold vegetable in high regard. They never shy away from trying out exotic cuisine. They cannot spend the evenings without gorging on junk food. In a word, Bengalis are passionate about food. They love to cook, eat & feed.


        There are only three categories of Bengali women : good cook, better cook & best cook. They are never below 'good'. Cooking is in their genes & they excel with fish, meat, vegetable,sweets, maybe everything on earth. Bengali women's another passion is feeding their near & dear ones. Even in a financially backward family a homemaker serves  a beautiful spread before everyone ,everyday. How can she manage to do so is  ... a magic!

        FISH

        Freshwater,marine ; bony,cartilaginous ; scaly,without scale ; big,small; Benaglis love all types of fish. Their passion for ilish (hilsa) is  ' you-have-to-see-to-believe' kind of. In monsoon they forget about water logging, getting marooned, late marks in office,dampened floor, leaking roof etc. if there is abundant hilsa in the market. Bengali men returning home from work with an ilish machh (hilsa) in his bag is a common sight in the rain-washed evenings.  

       Fish is part of our life. To rest of the country Bengalis are known as 'fish loving community'. They wonder how do Bengali women remove the stubborn smell of fish ! This aquatic crop has found its place in Bengali literature,music & cinema. Even in Bengal it is offered to God also. This is unbelievable in other parts of India.

      Sorshe ilish, bhapa ilish, chitol machher muitha, tel koi, chingrir malaikari ( Bengalis consider chingri/prwan as fish) are some of the preparations which are no less than artworks.  Even ordinary fish curry with vegetable is surprisingly delicious.

ILISH  BHAJA (FRIED HILSA)

BHAPA ILISH ( STEAMED HILSA)

        SWEETMEAT (MISHTI)

        Bengalis are famous for their sweet tooth.  It's true they eat sweets on all occasion. It's also true they need no occasion for eating sweets. Just check out the fridge of any Bengali household anytime, you'll find some sweets there! 

        Expertise of Bengali confectioners is unparalleled. They have invented some items which are out-of-the-world. Others have tried to create the same magic but failed. Rasogolla tops the list. These are white,medium-sized spheres of cottage cheese with a hollow core. Rasogolla is the darling of the nation. Visit to West Bengal remains incomplete if Rasogolla is not experienced. Bongaon & Basirhat are two places famous for rasogolla.

RASOGOLLA

      Bengal's another gift is Mishti doi (sweet curd). Milk is fermented & sweetened to produce this wonderful substance of firm consistency.  Doi is usually white in colour. In Nabadwip, a special type of mishti doi is prepared which is reddish. This is known as Chandrachur doi / lal doi & a must-have in Nabadwip.  

      There's jol-bhora-sandesh. It's core is filled with syrup while the outer surface is completely dry. How the leakage is prevented is a mystery! 

      There're so many preparations which made Bengal stand out. Mihidana-sitabhog of Burdwan, Moa from Joynagar, Lyangcha of Shaktigarh, Kacha golla of Bongaon are some of them.

      In West Bengal, sweetmeats are of two categories. Those mentioned above are sold in the market. There are some which are prepared in the household kitchen & usually not found in the shops. Bengali women give the confectioners tough competition.  They use ingredients like rice,milk,coconut etc. to prepare desserts. Payes, pitha, naru are some of  out-of-the-world delicacies which are Bengali women's forte.

NARU

           VEGETABLE

            Bengalis are graceful omnivores. They eat all parts of plant body. mocha (flower of banana), echor (young jackfruit), mankochu (Alocasia), kochur mukhi (Colocasia), thor (stem of banana), alu bhaja (fried potato), begun bhaja (fried brinjal), posto (poppy seed),shak (edible herbs) etc. are what Bengalis can't live without.  kumro ful (flower of pumpkin) & bok ful (Sesbania) are used to make chops which even the most health-conscious people love to gorge on.

BOK FUL

       
         In Bengali cuisine vegetable is paired off with fish so impeccably that these two become an integrity. begun diye ilish machh ( hilsa with brinjal), kochu shak diye ilisher matha (head of hilsa with Alocasia), mulo diye shol (fish with radish), lau diye chingri ( shrimp with gourd) fulkopi diye koi machh ( fish with cauliflower) are some of the fish-veggie combinations to die for.

        Bengali cuisine reveals the creative & adventurous nature of Bengalis.

MAA DURGA & DURGAPUJA

        MAA DURGA

        Maa Chandi or Maa Durga is the Supreme Power. Utilising Her enormous energy She created the universe & protects it from all sorts of danger. Usually the Goddess is formless. She is present in all living & non-living objects on earth. When Her creation is in danger, She takes forms & rescues it.

        The image Bengalis worship is known as Dashobhuja ( Goddess with ten arms).  There are weapons & other objects like conch shell, lotus, snake in the ten arms of Maa Durga. She kills the notorious Mahishashur ( buffalo demon) piercing his chest with a trident. She rides a lion which also attacks the demon. Beneath lies the corpse of the buffalo into which the demon hid. The image Of Maa Durga depicts violence to the fullest. Still we are not scared of Her!

      Hinduism uses symbolism bigtime. Here the tales, rituals have an outer & an inner meaning. Symbols  make the lessons interesting & comprehensible.

 Maa Durga symbolises the power of good & the demons are vices of human beings viz. lust,anger,greed,infatuation,vanity & envy. These must be killed,at times ruthlessly, to keep our lives beautiful.Ten arms indicate the Goddess protects us from ten directions. She takes care of our body, mind & soul. Lion is the symbol of power & determination. We should try to control these as Maa Durga controls the mighty lion.   The weapons also have significance.  

     The trident symbolises sattva (inactivity),rajo (activity)  & tama (non-activity).

      Conch shell indicates OM , the most primitive sound of the world.

      Chakra or the discus rotates around the index finger the Goddess without touching it. It indicates Maa Durga controls the universe, rotation of planets, satellites etc.

      Bow & arrow symbolises the potential (bow) & kinetic energy(arrow). We should have control over these as Maa Durga has.

      Lotus is the symbol of success & beauty. The flower is born in mud but free from filth & moves towards the sun. Likewise, we should try to shed our vices & move towards the beauty.

      

MAA DURGA

12th CENTURY AD IMAGE OF MAA DURGA (THE LION IS MISSING)

     

        DURGAPUJA

        Bengalis consider Maa Durga as their daughter. They even created a full-fledged family for Her. To the Bengalis Durgapuja is homecoming of their daughter. The Goddess,accompanied with Her four children & husband comes to spend four days with Her parents. In Durgapuja Maa Durga is worshiped reverentially  as well as showered with parental affection! This is a unique relationship between God & desciple. On the last day of the pujas ladies bid adieu to Maa Durga with teary eyes. It's like saying goodbye to a daughter. In Bengali households daughters & Maa Durga have been merged.

THE ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY OF MAA DURGA

        Durgapuja is held across the world. West Bengal stands out thanks to its people. They work round the year for Durgapuja. In Kolkata it's a grand affair.  Pandal, idol, lighting, theme bear the testimony of Bengal's creative skill & good taste.  In the narrow lane,park or on a small plot between two houses is created excellent artwork. After four days it is demolished & a new set of artworks is created in the following year.Durgapuja reminds us creation & destruction go hand in hand.

THE PANDAL IS IN THE FORM OF CHINAROSE !

CHANDELLIER

HERE THE BATTLE IS OVER & MAA DURGA HAS FORGIVEN THE DEMON

HERE THE THEME IS RAJASTHAN. THIS PANDAL IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF MERGER OF TWO DIFFERENT CULTURES.

HANDICRAFTS OF BENGAL AS THE EMBELLISHMENT OF PANDAL

THE CITY WELCOMES THE GODDESS TO SUCH BEAUTIFUL PANDALS

       In rural Bengal autumn plays the main artist. Deep blue sky, beautiful blooms both on land & in water & lush green in the fields contribute to the grandeur.

STHAL PADMA , AVAILABLE  IN CITY AS WELL

       Here it must be stated that spirit of Durgapuja is not dependent on  grandeur or climate. The joy comes from within. That's why poor villagers in remote corners celebrate Durgapuja; people brave the rain & go out for pandal hopping;  Bengalis living abroad fly down to Kolkata to buy the idol of Maa Durga from Kumartuli & perform  puja on exotic soil over the weekends !


      Durgapuja has other dimensions as well. It is used as the platform for promoting serious issues  like  women empowerment, female education, Bangal's handicrafts, battle against environmental pollution etc.  Several puja committees, NGOs, media houses gift the street children new clothes, accompany the senior citizens from old age homes for pandalhopping etc.

HERE THE THEME IS  'AFFORESTATION'

     Like all mothers Maa Durga  is a teacher who teaches us to fight against the wrong, work selflessly & make others happy. Durgapuja is Her teaching aid.



     Durgapuja is the festival of power, joy & harmony. Kalna, a town in Burdwan district is going to set an example in this regard. A puja committee in the town has selected a muslim girl for Kumari puja where she will be worshiped as the embodiment of Maa Durga. Kumari puja, the ritual of worshiping  under-12 Hindu girl reveres women power & reminds the society of the fact that equality of men & women is inevitable for its progress.

KUMARI PUJA IN RANI RASMONI'S HOUSE

DARJEELING

     Darjeeling was justifiably named 'the Queen of Hills' by the British. For ages, Bengalis have been singing laudatory hymn for its beauty & getting awestruck with its opulence. Green Himalayas,the Kanchenjunga,iconic sunrise,rare species of wildlife,world's best tea garden, toy train -- Darjeeling has what not.  It'll start mesmerizing you even when you are in Shiliguri, about 80 km.s away!  The city offers glimpses of The Himalayas & ignites the wanderlust.


     National Highway 31 offers a beautiful journey. One gets busy with scenic beauty & suddenly discovers self on the lap of the Himalayas.  From Sevoke surroundings get changed completely. On left, stands tall the Himalayas & on right, flows the Teesta in the profound depth. The slope is stabilised by plants like bamboo,banana etc. Get off the car at any point, take a few careful steps & crane your neck.You'll be treated to a breathtakingly beautiful view of Teesta.


     Those who are on their first visit get bewildered. ' am-in-Darjeeling' thought takes time to sink in. Those who visited earlier get nostalgic. I belonged to the first category. After dumping the luggage in hotel room, I rushed to the receptionist & asked him the inevitable question : Kanchenjunga kotha theke dekha jabe? ( wherefrom can I see the Kanchenjunga?)  The man smiled & politely reminded me that monsoon had reached the hills & the mighty Kanchenjunga had given in to the thick clouds.

TEESTA

VILLAGE ON THE LAP OF THE HIMALAYAS

   
 

       THE MALL  

       Mall is like a big, round courtyard with an observatory hill at the centre. Here people shop,chat,sing, strum guitar,read,hold meetings. Some have  a seat in a corner & immerse themselves in the beautyof the Himalayas. I was trying to find out the house of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. When i sought help from a man from the hills, he asked me, aap Kolkata mein rehte hain?  ( Do you live in Kolkata?). When I nodded, came the second question : Kolkata mein pasina hota hain? ( Does it sweat in Kolkata?)  I felt he didn't believe something as wonderful as sweating could happen on earth !

HORSE RIDE AT THE MALL

      On the right hand side of the Mall a path descended that led to Chittaranjan Das' house. I couldn't enter as it was getting renovated then. I came back to Mall. Next destination was National history museum. It's a must-visit place for zoology students.  It houses stuffed specimens, tusks,insects etc.


     When came back to Mall from the museum, my family members & friends joined me. All of the gang but my parents & me went to a nearby park. We chose to walk down the dhupi-lined Mall road. This species of plant was brought from Japan. It adapted to Indian climate so well that it became one of the dominant members of Darjeeling's vegetation. Dhupi plays major role in soil conservation.

DHUPI & MALL ROAD

        We went past the Raj Bhawan & halted at Kanchenjunga view point. We three occupied a bench & kept looking on the thick blanket of clouds. We knew what we awaited was not going to happen. Still we enjoyed sitting there. It was like staring at  a veiled beauty.

FROM KANCHENJUNGA VIEW POINT

      

       TIGER HILL

        Next morning my parents did what the parents all over the world do to their children : they woke us up early. Early means at 4 in the cloudy morning in a hill station ! We were like "not now ... plz!" But, deep inside someone was telling us, "wake up. It's Tiger hill."

        Kanchenjunga is visible from many places in West Bengal & Sikkim. But Tiger hill offers you the best view of the mountain & most beautiful sunrise in West Bengal. First rays of the sun paint the the five peaks of Kanchenjunga brick red. Then it's riot of colours. The peaks turn red, orange,golden & at last, pristine white. Bengalis grow up with such descriptions of Tiger hill & these didn't let us remain under the blanket.

       The doze still remaining in us was washed away by the adrenalin-rush during the journey. The spiral road takes so many sharp bends known as hairpin loop. When the car moves from one arm of the pin to other, it takes almost a V-turn & the centrifugal force acts on you to the fullest !  Before you regain your disposition, comes the next hairpin.

       At last, we reached Tiger hill crowded with heartbroken people like us. There were clouds all over. We waited,in vain. The sun was visible when it rose high above the peaks.  

THIS IS WHAT TIGER HILL TREATED US TO

        On our way back to town we visited Batasia loop & Ghum monastery. Batasia is a park where the track of Toy train enters & forms a loop that looks like  number 8. There is a War memorial to pay homage to the Gorkha soldiers of the country. Batasia treats us to the view of both Kanchenjunga & Darjeeling town.

ORCHID & DARJEELING

         Ghum monastery is pensive in the lush green of eastern Himalayas. The architecture & the larger-than-life statues of Lord Buddha & other deities are awe-inspiring. Young lamas are trained in the monastery.

GHUM MONASTERY

 

        At around 10 we went to Mahakal mandir atop the observatory hill in the Mall. This is the highest-altitude temple in West Bengal. This is situated at the height of approx. 7000 ft from sea level.  At this place was a monastery which had been relocated & the temple of Lord Shiva came up. There are still influences of Buddhism. Mahakal temple furnishes the example of peaceful co-existence of religions.

ENTRANCE , MAHAKAL TEMPLE

       In the afternoon we went to Darjeeling zoo garden which is named after Ms. Padmaja Naidu. The zoo garden is meant for conservation of Himalayan wild life.  Red panda was the biggest attraction. This mammalian species with reddish fur  looks cute. At present their existence is in danger due to massive deforestation. The herbivore animal's staple food is bamboo leaves. There was Indian Salamander.  This Amphibian species is too shy to come out in noisy environment. Darjeeling is the only place in India where Indian Salamander is found.

RED PANDA

        Next morning we left Darjeeling. We were regretting because so many things remained unseen. The hurricane tour has become memorable for a number of reasons. For the first time I touched cloud.  I witnessed a different West Bengal. And, realised the importance of proper planning for a tour ...

TEA GARDEN

BENGALI TELEVISION

         Bengali television started its journey in 1975. Bengali serials arrived in the eighties & culural & social life of Bengalis changed.They started spending their evenings sitting in front of TV.Television set was on the top of their wishlist. Kolkata skyline was looking different for a new addition, TV antenna.


         When The Govt. of India decided to present the viewers a new programme, that is, serial, Kolkata came forward. A few Kolkatans took up the offer & plunged into a new format of filmmaking. They  had to face lots of difficulties because they were pioneers. They were pioneers because they could overcome those difficulties. Then people had no idea about TV serial. So the film producers didn't back them.   There was no reference book. Those filmmakers had nothing to fall back on if required. Dedication & creativity helped them. Those filmmakers were the representatives of the Bengalis who put  everything at stake to chase their dream.


        Jochhon Dastidar was one of the pioneers. His Tero Parbon made history. This single serial gave birth to a number of stalwarts of Bengali film industry. There are people in Kolkata who still recollect the story of Gora & Tina. Tero Parbon's success inspired others to work for small screen. Television soon  became an  industry.


       Bengali serial has come a long way. Bengali television dealt with subjects like same-sex relationship & unwed motherhood while national TV was playing safe with family drama. Now Bangla serials are shot abroad. Weeklies are replaced with daily soaps. Big screen depends heavily on small screen.

       Bengali television is a high-TRP episode of our life because it tells our success story.


       

BENGALI CINEMA

        Bengalis take food for their stomach as well as brain. Cinema belongs to the second category of food. It runs in the veins & arteries of Bengalis.

        Bengali or Bangla cinema started its journey in 1919 with the  release of Bilwamangal. In 1931 released Jamai Sashthi, the first Bengali talkie.  Noted writers, musicians, singers started working in Bangla cinema. Rabindranath Tagore filmed Notir Puja.  Cinema received huge support from Bengali literature. With the help of Bengali intelligentsia Kolkata became the capital of  cinema. The city catered to the movie-lovers of Bengal as well as undivided India. Pramathesh Baruah,Pankaj Mallik, Kanan Devi, Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Soumitra Chatterjee, Satyajit Ray are some of the legends Bangla cinema gave birth to.  

      Kanan Debi in her childhood was looked down upon as she was born to unwed mother.  She went on to become a superstar of Indian cinema &  represent the elite class of the society.  Uttam Kumar & Suchitra Sen set the standard of onscreen pairing so high that no other actors in the country to date could scale that. Uttam-Suchitra has been synonymous with romance. According to some,even Hollywood hadn't experienced such a magic of an onscreen romantic pair.  The first Indian who won Best Actress award in global arena was a Bengali, our own Suchitra Sen.  Uttam Kumar was an actor who bagged  the National Award for best actor for his performance in two movies in the same year ! Satyajit Ray established Bangla cinema in the durbar of world cinema. Bengali film industry teaches us to march towards excellence.

   

    Bengali filmmakers are famous for depicting various forms of life. Refugees,flat chested woman, dwarf people, a woman feeding on live animals have become protagonists of our films. Same-sex relationship has been dealt with such a sensitivity that whole nation was moved.

   Bengali viewers' love for cinema has no match.  Advance booking would open before one month of the release date of any Uttam-Suchitra starrer. Police posting was a must. During  film festivals, people of all ages queue up for tickets at 9 in the morning !  A commoner can analyze a  movie as a critic does. In Bengal, married heroines rule the industry which is unthinkable even today in other parts of  country.  Bengali viewers are both crazy & sensible.  This  happens when there's deep love. 

     

KANAN DEBI - PRAMATHESH BARUAH IN MUKTI (1937)

ROMANCE PERSONIFIED

THEY DIDN'T WORK TOGETHER , WE'RE DEPRIVED OF A MASTERPIECE

THE SCENE  WHERE DEBASREE ROY EATS LIVE ANIMALS HAS TO BE SEEN TO BELIEVE