North Kolkata Calling !!

Like many other shows-Jatras too are waiting for the final nail in the coffin.It was once patronized by the Rajbaris of North Calcutta & elsewhere and gained popularity among the towns and villages of Bengal. The Chitpur Jatra para in North Calcutta have seen better days. Later artists like Shanti Gopal & other extremely bright personalities made the Natta Companies prosper & reach a certain peak. The big placards and buzz in that area seems to be diminishing and with it -we are fast losing a long cherished tradition.The Natta Co- mpanies figure came down from 140 to around 30 within ten years !

Bengali films took a backseat for a long time. However men like Rituparno Ghosh &Othrs have somewhat brought back its lost glory. Got a sudden opportunity to watch a film by Anik Dutta in a not- too- good North Calcutta cinema hall. The very first impression was that (maybe the sound system) it  was a test to ears. In fact it was quite difficult to follow what the characters were saying. The story which unfolded- in the midst of confusion- was not very unusual -although Mr.Dutta sincerely tried  to thrust his points-which  somehow came through ! The Rag To Riches ( within a short span) and its frustration was impressive. In between-the fast changing language  problem too was a point to be noted ! Mr. Dutta however was successful in saying whatever he had to say !!

Shastriya Sangeet / Hidustani Sangeet or Indian Classical Music was previously patronized by  Maharajas ,Rajas & Zamindars. Artists came from far and wide to perform and those who showed excellence in their fields were fabulously rewarded.With the advent of time things have now changed and we are aware of the present state of affairs.                            Roshan Kumari performs at Chatu Babu Latu Babu's Thakurbari with Samta Prashad (Tabla) Fakir Mohammed (Pakwaj). On stage : Bade Gulam Ali Khan,Vilayet & Imrat Khan. On front row: Ali Akbar Khan, Karamutallah Khan,Amanath & Fathe Ali.                                                      The tradition continues at Chatu Babu Latu Babu's Thakurbari !                                     http://ocms.jimdo.com/

The 233 years old puja began by Ramdulal De (Deb) still continues !