If
India was the crown jewel of the colonial British Empire, then Kolkata
was its most glittering gem. The capital of the pre independent India,
the seat of Bengal Renaissance and home to some of the most acclaimed
writers, thinkers, philosophers and scientists in the world- Kolkata has
not been given its just due in the modern world. After the capital was
shifted to New Delhi, Kolkata was rendered a forgotten historical city,
charming but insignificant. It is regarded as one of the major metro
cities of India, but not high on the list of places that people die to
see. It lacks the obvious glamour of Mumbai, the ruthless power of Delhi
and the newness of Bangalore.
What kolkata is, is an unique jumble of charm, history, intellect,
decadence, culture, modernity and that inherently obscure nonentity that
is so hard to put into words put palpable even to the stranger who puts
his foot for the first time in the city. Step into Kolkata to be
engulfed into old world charm juxtaposed with modern encumbrances of pop
culture and joviality. The list here is not exactly a definitive
tourist guide to Kolkata. It tells you to check out places that will get
you the real Kolkata experience. To start off, first take a…
10.
Tram Ride
Kolkata was the first city in India to have constructed the subway,
way back in the seventies. Even today it is the only city in which the
subway is underground. All other metros who have caught on to the trend
have constructed them above ground, more along the lines of a local
train. It is thus especially surprising to learn that a city which
embraced modernity long before it was so in vogue has fiercely held on
to the oldest form of rail transportation in the country, even the
subcontinent- the Tram. These ancient vehicles travel in the slowest
speed imaginable, hold up traffic and in general cause a lot of
inconvenience. Despite all the negatives, the Kolkatans have loyally
held on to this reminder of the late nineteenth early twentieth century
marvel.
That is why the number ten item on this list is not a specific
destination but rather an all-encompassing tram ride. Hop onto one and
be sure to get a window seat. Look out the window as you trudge along to
get a glimpse into the heart of this marvellous city. This is the best
way to embark on your exploration. You will see colonial British
buildings and monuments jostling for space with classic Mughal
architecture and Zamindari bungalows being elbowed out by offending
skyscrapers. Hand pulled rickshaws and luxury cars travelling on the
same road, breathtakingly beautiful parks adjacent to littered streets
and sewages, centuries old standalone shops selling the most authentic
regalia with sweeping shopping malls across the street- the mystery of
the city lies in its odd pairings. Take them all in while you sip cool
coconut water inside a tram that has been going down this very road for
the past hundred and fifty years.
9.
Priya Cinema
Priya Cinema is an iconic movie theatre that has become synonymous
with the city to those who frequent it. In a world where personality
barren multiplexes have taken over the movie watching experience, this
theatre is all about showing off the love of cinema. Located at the
heart of the city, this theatre is also a favourite of Bengali cinema
celebs who come here for the same reason the regular people do- to have a
quality movie watching time. The ground floor walls are decked with
pictures of famous people from around the world who have stopped in on
this theatre during a journey to the city, as well as the local crème de
la crème of society. There is a 1920’s vintage car on display as movie
goers enter the theatre. The first and second floor walls are covered
with montaged tributes to the immortal greats of Bengal cinema,
especially Satyajit Ray. Original posters of Ray’s movies are
immaculately framed. The throne that was used in the sets of “Heerak
Rajar Deshe” is lovingly displayed. Above the movie screen is the
longest model of the Kolkata skyline. If these attractions weren’t
enough, the place has the best popcorn in town. Plonk yourself down a
soft cushioned sofa in the dress circle with a tub of butter chat
popcorn to have the ultimate old school movie watching experience.
8.
College Street
It is a well-known, and often parodied fact, that Kolkatans love
their literature. For centuries, the city has produced works of
international importance and is home to great writers of the past and
present. When you visit College Street you’ll understand the level of
this obsession. College Street is called Boi Para locally which means
Book Street. It remains very literal to its nomenclature. Piles and
piles of books line the streets, as far as the eye can see. Hawkers put
their wares on the footpath while shopkeepers keep stock of their
shelves which house every single book ever written. My aunt, a
mathematics professor at Rani Birla College, had found a rare old
manuscript while hunting for some theorem books at an old hawker’s
stall. The book was later valued to worth millions and is now housed in
the college’s library. She had acquired it for twenty rupees, less than
half an American dollar. The street is also home to the prestigious
Presidency College, the first institution of higher education in the
country. That apart it has the Indian Coffee House, India’s oldest café.
The waiters still dress in their regal uniform from days of the Raj and
food here is ridiculously cheap and delicious. Drop in here in the
afternoon and you will find groups of college students passionately and
voraciously engaged in intellectual debates. They are always happy to
include more members if you want to wholeheartedly experience the
Kolkata student culture.
7.
Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens, the second largest cricket stadium in the world, is
also home to the Bengal Cricket team and the Kolkata Knight Riders. This
iconic stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the country and is
commonly proclaimed to be to Cricket what Colosseum is to Rome. The
stadium was established in 1864 and hosted its first test match in
January 1934. It has a seating capacity of a massive 90,000 people.
Several World Cups have been played at Eden and some of the most
legendary games in the sport of cricket have made history right here.
6.
Victoria Memorial
Anyone remotely familiar with the city of Kolkata has hear about
Victoria Memorial. The foundation stone of this stunning monument was
laid in 1906, but it was finally completed in 1921. As the name
suggests, it was created to serve as a fitting memorial to the then
Empress of the British Empire, Queen Victoria. Upon Victoria’s death in
1901 Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of the country, set the project in motion.
The President of the British Institute of Architects Sir William
Emerson then set about designing and creating the building. Set in a
beautiful garden area of 64 acres, Victoria Memorial is an aesthetic
delight to the eyes. The inside is a museum that houses some very rare
paintings, statues and manuscripts from across the world. Standing in
the centre of the building and looking up at the classical dome high
beyond imagination is an awe inspiring experience. Spend enough time
exploring the gardens at length as well. They rival the monument in
their beauty and splendour. Right across the street from Victoria
Memorial is Maidan. Literally translated it means field, but don’t be
deceived by the common christening. Built by resident the resident
British to be like London’s Hyde Park, Maidan is a majestic but simple
place to sit and observe the sights and sounds of the city.
5.
National Library
Having read the College Street expo, you wouldn’t be really surprised
to know that Kolkata is home to the National Library of India. Founded
in 1836, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore was its first proprietor. Books were
very expensive in those days so poor students had free use of the
library facilities. Much hasn’t changed today, since everyone can access
the vast and rare collection of the library for very little money.
Though the collection of the books here are impressive to say the least,
the rare book collections are out of this world. Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee
had donated his personal library of 80,000 books to the National
Library before his death. The library has its fair share of intrigue as
well. In 2010 a hidden chamber was discovered in the basement of the
main building and given rise to much speculation about the torture
methods of Warren Hastings and other British generals who might have
been based here. Several haunted legends also do the rounds as people
have sworn to have witnessed ghosts on several occasions. There are
famous stories to back these sightings as well. The main library is
housed in a beautiful 200 year old heritage bungalow while newer
collections are housed in swanky state of the art buildings. The place
is surrounded by gardens and greenery that will urge you to lose
yourself to nature and simply relax.
4.
Belur Math
Belur Math is a religious epicentre whose focus is more on
spirituality rather than pedestrian notions of religion. If you have
stumbled into India a la Elizabeth Gilbert, then this is the best place
you can find to pray. It was founded by Swami Vivekananda who built it
on the principles of philosophy taught imparted to him by his guru
Ramkrishna Paramhamsa. The temple architecture infuses symbols of
Hinduism, Christianity and Islam to portray the importance of unity and
equality. Set along the banks of the serene Ganga, the atmosphere of the
place will touch your soul. After you are done praying, hire a boat for
a few hundred rupees and sail down the mystic river in a haze of
contemplations. You will experience peace like never before.
3.
Science City
In case you get the impression that Kolkata is only about the arts
and literature please visit Science City to dispel the notion.
Conceptualized in 1997, Science City is the largest science centre in
the subcontinent. You’ll need to devote an entire day to grasp all the
carefully researched marvels of the place. Whether or not you are a
science buff, this place promises intelligent entertainment. The
Maritime Centre is not for nautical enthusiasts alone. For truly knee
jerking fun visit the Space Odyssey and have a go at the Time Machine.
The 3-D Vision Theatre and The Magic Mirrors are special attractions
too. Finish up your tour with games played at the Dynamotion Hall, Earth
Exploration Hall and The Evolution Park. The lifelike graphics and
miracles of science will hold you spellbound for sure.
2.
New Market
Kolkata is a premier shopping destination and if you had enough time
to only visit one place for all your shopping needs, let it be New
Market. Formally Christened Sir Stuart Hogg Market, New Market is a huge
spread of everything that you could possibly dream of buying. A
dazzling combination of flea market and high street, the shops sell
colonial antiques, rare coins, unusual jewellery, arts, crafts, music, a
variety of clothes, lip smacking food and so on. Specially check out
the array of small shops selling burnished silver jewellery,
semi-precious stone pieces and pearls. The prices are cheap beyond
measure. Chamba Lama, run by a loveable Tibetan matriarch, will leave
you spellbound. Gilded mirrors, burnished antiques, olden hookahs, mind
boggling jewellery and art deco pieces are in galore here. This shop is a
favourite of the locals too. It is a guarantee that whatever you pick
up in New Market will be unique only to this corner of the world.
Splurge on something special and let it be a sweet reminder of the
wonderfully charming city you once visited.
1.
Rabindranath Tagore’s House
Rabindranath Tagore, the poet Laureate of India, holds a special
place in the hearts of the people of Bengal because he was one of their
own. Though he is famous worldwide for Gitanjali, the book that made him
the first non-European to win a Nobel Prize, there is so much more to
the life and works of the Bard that tourists can glean from a visit to
the great man’s childhood home. Rabindranath Tagore was not the only
genius to be born into that distinguished family. It boasted of great
men and women whose achievements have made significant impact in the
shaping of modern Indian culture and economy. The house where they all
lived and worked is a present day testimony to all this. It is a place
of pride for Kolkatans who are inspired by the poet and his philosophies
of life. Built in eighteenth century, the house is now a heritage
museum and part of the estate of the World University that Tagore had
set up in his lifetime. Be assured, the visit to this sacred place of
culture will be your experience of a lifetime.
