70 reasons to stay in Kolkata
70 reasons to stay in Kolkata
1. Phulkopir Shingara:
samosas don't stand a chance against these.
2. Phuchka: gol-gappas aren't a patch on phuchkas.
Try Bengal Lamp/Dakshinapan.
Karaishutir Kochuri: a seasonal favourite, have it with "alur dam".
3. Luchi: puri and phulkas - no comparison.
4. Alurdom: the world's best. Try the offering at Vivekananda Park.
5. Jhalmuri: a unique concoction, with nothing to equal it.
6. Telebhaaja: these and jhalmuri are like 'made for each other'.
7. Chanachur: many have tried unsuccesfully to steal the formula, MNCs included!
8. Alukabli: where will you get something like this?
9. Ghugni: again, chana is not the same at all.
10. Radhaballavi: try it with alurdom or cholar daal.
11. Chanmp: even Pakistani cricketers have sampled these, in Chitpur.
12. Rezala: out of this world, just out of this world!
13. Paradiser Sharbat: there is one which is green, and another, pink.
No college student from Presidency or the University has failed to sample these!
14. Lere Biscut: needed to make the batter for chop-katlet.
15. Chicken Kabiraji: an unbelievable variation on the chicken cutlet.
16. Moton Afghani: an equally innovative presentation of the mutton cutlet.
17. Dimer Kalia: again, where do you get something like this?
18. Kasha mangsho: it has become an institution now.
19. Roll: the ubiquitous mutton, chicken or egg roll.
Unquestionably superior to any variants (Frankies 4 that matter) in any other city of the
world. And also....
20. Coffee houser coffee ar adda: try the float with ice cream.
21. Bharer chaa: on the Maidan, from shining brass vessels on a rainy day.
And not to be missed in all this,
22. Pan unmatched, even in Benaras or Lucknow. Honestly!
The sweeter side......
23. Roshomalai: a creamy, mouth-watering delight!
24. Jilipi: smaller than the jalebis and tastes quite different.
25. Lal doi: is an experience by itself!
26. Sada Doi: have it @ the shop, "Mithai"
27. Kamala bhog: a pale yellow orb, delicately sweetened.
28. Notun gurer sondesh: a winter speciality available in no other city.
29. Rosogolla: simply needs no introduction.
30. Natun gurer Rosogolla: the latest innovation.
There are many, many more traditional favourites.
and also...
31. Shitabhog: pure white, sweetened to just the right extent.
32. Mihi Dana: golden yellow, saffron scented.
33. Maalpoa: rich brown pancakes, dripping in sugar syrup.
34. Ranga alur pithey: another traditional favourite in winter.
Up fashion street......
35. Fashions keep changing. But the dhuti-panjabi and tangail look never
becomes out-dated.
36. Dhuti with extra broad borders: the finest and most elegant available here.
37. Dhutis in red or black! The latest sensation in Calcutta.
38. Giley kara Panjabi: those with the improbably crinkled sleeves.
39. Tangail Sari: the best in these all-time favourites can be found here.
and the other marks of distinction are...
40. Bidy asagari choti: you still get them here.
41. Kabuli Chappal: another old favourite.
42. Garader Sari: ideal with pujo bari, shankher awaaj.
Sights and sounds.....
One wakes up in the morning and hears their voices drifting through the air.
So typically do they say their bit...that it is difficult to forget....and even more so ...
to imitate...
43. Shil katowala: they chip the stone slabs which grind masalas.
44. Chhuri Kanchhi Shaanwala: sharpens knives, scissors and anything with an edge.
45. Lep Shelaiwala: they make those cotton quilts which warm you up in winter.
And early in the morning, before Durga Pujo, who can forget the strains of.....
46. Mahalayar mahishashuromardini
Other things, quaint and very special.....
48. Chinese Food in China Town: an early morning breakfast here is an experience.
49. Metro Rail: spick and span, and the trains are dot on time.
50. Maidan: the ideal p lace to be on a sleepy, winter morning.
51. College Streeter Boipara: bookworms buzz around this place morning, noon and night.
52. All Night Music Conference: you won't find a minute to yawn.
53. Circular Rail: see the river all along as you travel on the train.
54. Ganga te nouko bihar: either in a country boat or a steamer or on hover craft!
55. Dolphins in the Ganga: if it's your lucky day, you might catch a
glimpse of a frolicking shoal.
56. Morning tram to the Maidan: see how green and fresh the city looks.
57. East Calcu tta Wetlands: our very own eco-system regulator - just on the outskirts.
Travel in style.....
58. Rickshaw: still the preferred form of transportation for some,
especially children and the elderly.
59. School van: it's to be seen to be believed.
60. Tram: if you have time on hand, you can see the city glide by.
Calcutta's passion......
61. Roker adda: Calcuttans are an adda baaj lot.
Mohan Bagan & East Bengal: prices of ilish or chingri go up,
depending on who wins the day.
62. Jatra: who says it is all melodrama?
63. Durga pujo: the pomp and pageantry, reserved each year for the 'mother of all festivals'.
64. Little magazine: you still find devotees of this publishing wonder.
65. Book Fair: when the fair is on, you are there - whether you love books or not.
66. Cricket match at the Eden: cricketers and cricket lovers the world over
treasure the experience.
City's own.....
67. Hydrant: there's a move by the CMC to revive the practice of ashing the streets
with Ganga water from the hydrants
68. Italian Saloon: road side barber joints, where you sit on a piece of brick (it).
69. Chinese dry cleaners: do a very clean job, indeed.
70. Darjees of Metiabruz: are a cut above the rest. Even if they cut corners at times!
(My sister forwarded this mail to me, I share it with you)
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mabaker posted 4 hrs ago
1. Phulkopir Shingara:
samosas don't stand a chance against these.
2. Phuchka: gol-gappas aren't a patch on phuchkas.
Try Bengal Lamp/Dakshinapan.
Karaishutir Kochuri: a seasonal favourite, have it with "alur dam".
3. Luchi: puri and phulkas - no comparison.
4. Alurdom: the world's best. Try the offering at Vivekananda Park.
5. Jhalmuri: a unique concoction, with nothing to equal it.
6. Telebhaaja: these and jhalmuri are like 'made for each other'.
7. Chanachur: many have tried unsuccesfully to steal the formula, MNCs included!
8. Alukabli: where will you get something like this?
9. Ghugni: again, chana is not the same at all.
10. Radhaballavi: try it with alurdom or cholar daal.
11. Chanmp: even Pakistani cricketers have sampled these, in Chitpur.
12. Rezala: out of this world, just out of this world!
13. Paradiser Sharbat: there is one which is green, and another, pink.
No college student from Presidency or the University has failed to sample these!
14. Lere Biscut: needed to make the batter for chop-katlet.
15. Chicken Kabiraji: an unbelievable variation on the chicken cutlet.
16. Moton Afghani: an equally innovative presentation of the mutton cutlet.
17. Dimer Kalia: again, where do you get something like this?
18. Kasha mangsho: it has become an institution now.
19. Roll: the ubiquitous mutton, chicken or egg roll.
Unquestionably superior to any variants (Frankies 4 that matter) in any other city of the
world. And also....
20. Coffee houser coffee ar adda: try the float with ice cream.
21. Bharer chaa: on the Maidan, from shining brass vessels on a rainy day.
And not to be missed in all this,
22. Pan unmatched, even in Benaras or Lucknow. Honestly!
The sweeter side......
23. Roshomalai: a creamy, mouth-watering delight!
24. Jilipi: smaller than the jalebis and tastes quite different.
25. Lal doi: is an experience by itself!
26. Sada Doi: have it @ the shop, "Mithai"
27. Kamala bhog: a pale yellow orb, delicately sweetened.
28. Notun gurer sondesh: a winter speciality available in no other city.
29. Rosogolla: simply needs no introduction.
30. Natun gurer Rosogolla: the latest innovation.
There are many, many more traditional favourites.
and also...
31. Shitabhog: pure white, sweetened to just the right extent.
32. Mihi Dana: golden yellow, saffron scented.
33. Maalpoa: rich brown pancakes, dripping in sugar syrup.
34. Ranga alur pithey: another traditional favourite in winter.
Up fashion street......
35. Fashions keep changing. But the dhuti-panjabi and tangail look never
becomes out-dated.
36. Dhuti with extra broad borders: the finest and most elegant available here.
37. Dhutis in red or black! The latest sensation in Calcutta.
38. Giley kara Panjabi: those with the improbably crinkled sleeves.
39. Tangail Sari: the best in these all-time favourites can be found here.
and the other marks of distinction are...
40. Bidy asagari choti: you still get them here.
41. Kabuli Chappal: another old favourite.
42. Garader Sari: ideal with pujo bari, shankher awaaj.
Sights and sounds.....
One wakes up in the morning and hears their voices drifting through the air.
So typically do they say their bit...that it is difficult to forget....and even more so ...
to imitate...
43. Shil katowala: they chip the stone slabs which grind masalas.
44. Chhuri Kanchhi Shaanwala: sharpens knives, scissors and anything with an edge.
45. Lep Shelaiwala: they make those cotton quilts which warm you up in winter.
And early in the morning, before Durga Pujo, who can forget the strains of.....
46. Mahalayar mahishashuromardini
Other things, quaint and very special.....
48. Chinese Food in China Town: an early morning breakfast here is an experience.
49. Metro Rail: spick and span, and the trains are dot on time.
50. Maidan: the ideal p lace to be on a sleepy, winter morning.
51. College Streeter Boipara: bookworms buzz around this place morning, noon and night.
52. All Night Music Conference: you won't find a minute to yawn.
53. Circular Rail: see the river all along as you travel on the train.
54. Ganga te nouko bihar: either in a country boat or a steamer or on hover craft!
55. Dolphins in the Ganga: if it's your lucky day, you might catch a
glimpse of a frolicking shoal.
56. Morning tram to the Maidan: see how green and fresh the city looks.
57. East Calcu tta Wetlands: our very own eco-system regulator - just on the outskirts.
Travel in style.....
58. Rickshaw: still the preferred form of transportation for some,
especially children and the elderly.
59. School van: it's to be seen to be believed.
60. Tram: if you have time on hand, you can see the city glide by.
Calcutta's passion......
61. Roker adda: Calcuttans are an adda baaj lot.
Mohan Bagan & East Bengal: prices of ilish or chingri go up,
depending on who wins the day.
62. Jatra: who says it is all melodrama?
63. Durga pujo: the pomp and pageantry, reserved each year for the 'mother of all festivals'.
64. Little magazine: you still find devotees of this publishing wonder.
65. Book Fair: when the fair is on, you are there - whether you love books or not.
66. Cricket match at the Eden: cricketers and cricket lovers the world over
treasure the experience.
City's own.....
67. Hydrant: there's a move by the CMC to revive the practice of ashing the streets
with Ganga water from the hydrants
68. Italian Saloon: road side barber joints, where you sit on a piece of brick (it).
69. Chinese dry cleaners: do a very clean job, indeed.
70. Darjees of Metiabruz: are a cut above the rest. Even if they cut corners at times!
(My sister forwarded this mail to me, I share it with you)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
mabaker posted 4 hrs ago
What about Anadi's Moghlai..i love that..by the way the cheese omlette in T3 on park street is awesome..somehow you left out the club culture of Bengal..either you have para club or you have those Babu clubs like Tolly,RCGC,Calcutta,Saturday club etc..now of course DKS has become the Calcutta Club of middle class..good post..cheers
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ashishdimriwrites posted 5 hrs ago
- eyes of a bangla woman
- story tellers
- Dhak( its magical impact!)
- manners
(Ashish mentioned six things in his comment, I add four of my favourites here)
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Mrs Muffet posted 13 hrs ago
Shamoli , How can you do that .....My nostalgia has gone haywire . But you have inspired me. May I add some more ?
1. Kolkata...kolkata........of Usha Uthup ...don't worry kolkata !
2.Eateries of Baker's lane. (Esplanade ).
3. The sun downer bash at OLYPUB .
4. Rabindraa Jayanti ( 25 shey boisakh ) function at Nandan.
5.Daab chingri at Oh, Calcutta.
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DSampath posted 12 hrs ago
----------------------take a trip
in those padas
and dakishineshwar
and see bhav tharini and
have ---------------------------you took to my loving place cal....
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Aditi Ray posted 4 hrs ago
Watching bangla group Theatre at Academy.
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