So am back after a short hiatus- my weeklong trip to Kolkata was ridden with contrasts; while it stirred some familiar memories, it also evoked some new emotions…
So it was back to good old Kolkata as I know it… same old Park Street (complete with Chinese at Waldorf), St. Xaviers College, Lake Gardens, Nandan and Bengal Club. But also the new face of Kolkata- City Centre and South City malls and multiplexes and flyovers…
Same old struggle through the crowded metro, buses and autos. But also getting my license renewed and vain attempts at driving (reverse gear and parking had me stumped)…
Same old routine of getting up at 5 a.m. and going to bed at 9 p.m. But also more freedom, late night gossiping and chatting…
Same old jokes and ideas. But big promises and bigger plans marred by middle class morality...
Same old friends and relatives (the previous generation just looks older, and the younger generation seems to have grown up beyond recognition). But discovering new friends too…
Same old cheap roadside coffee. But sinful and sinfully expensive desserts at The Park too…
Same old cheapness and penny pinching. But brushes with opulence as well…
Same old love for the sleepy city: not the kind of seductive love of Mumbai but the kind of love that grows with time and age and ugliness…
4 comments:
misleading article! That title is completely unjustified..Its about time you did justice to all the freebies that you get out of the "grandest celebration on campus"
Love that grows through time and age and ugliness... I think it's a brilliant line... and nothing can describe Calcutta, better than that line...
And I think NEEV is right :)
hey...long time..awaiting ur next blog..
@neev
the title was intended to publicize the event... be hppy wid watvr free publicity u get n do learn to be a lil more appreciative
@prachetash
do u still think neev is rite? :)
n yeah, i love the line too but it's the concept that counts...
@my space-my thoughts
:) thats a first for me
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