North Kolkata Calling !!

We have all heard of pigeon flying in Old Calcutta. In fact it was a prestige fight between renowned Zamindars who took much pains to collect pigeons from various sources. Chatu Babu's pigeons were perhaps the best among others who also took special care to bring skilled and even foreign pigeons.Who has not heard of those fights over pigeons between Deb Babus & Mullick Babu's of Old Calcutta. North Calcutta has still been able to maintain this old tradition. Perhaps the oldest Pigeon Racing Club still exists in Maniktalla, North Calcutta.

Traditional Chicken Hotch Potch vs present day various experiments. There was a time when chicken was chicken & not hen or cock. But days have changed and now few knows the difference between a chicken or a hen or maybe a cock. On any given day one could find a new item in chicken being shown in some TV Channel & given some new name, perhaps to make it popular. The reason , of course , is related to some commercial gain ! There is probably no harm in experimenting and by doing so make a name or a fortune , if one can !! But it takes time to kill a Tradition-isn't it ? Besides what is the harm in keeping Chicken Hotch Potch in your menu ?

Someone (probably) in a website is claiming that one Brajendranath De & one Baidyanath De belongs to the same branch of family to which Ramdulal De (Deb) belonged ! Would somebody enlighten ?

DON'T ASK FOR MONEY, PLEASE !

Cloth distribution at more than 230 years old Kali Puja at Chatu Babu Latu Babu's Thakurbati.

Ever heard of any election candidate catching people's ears for vote. Tadagathi, a 102 years old lady contesting for Panchyat Election,did exactly that. Throughout her long life she had done a great job by midwifing nearly 1000 babies most of whome( also their parents) were voters from that village. She used a new technic by catching people by their ears while telling them to vote for her. Strangely she won the election. This is what love and true service to the society can do !

Imagine what can happen if your bank acount or credit card number or password is exposed to some unknown person ! This is usually done through phishing. It comes in various forms-a Facebook Message a fake mail or a log in page of a bank/credit card site.It can even be a Facebook or a Google site. You try to log in and thereby give away your username, password etc. To gaurd against this one must keep the Adress Bar visible. This can help you to know that you are on the right webmail page.

Pigeons resting at a North Calcutta Rooftop. Have been flying for a long time !

Sutanuti Parishad organizes various programs- especially- to create awareness to the unaware present & older generation about the rich histories created by our forefathers.After watching some of their programs one could not help but say that "We are proud of our past but ashamed of our present in various important fields." Be it in Trade Commerce or Culture !                             SUTANUTI  PARISHAD'S  - PROGRAMES                                                                                               By: Saibal Kr. Deb. Sutanuti Parishad(SD) AGM to be held on 13th Nov2011-6.30PM at Chatu Babu Latu Babu's Thakurbari. Sutanuti Parishad's Prog...

Hallmark was first introduced in the year 1721 at Goldsmith Hall in London.It became necessary due to most laymen's poor understanding of the precious metals. Unfortunately this mark seems to be fast loosing its importance. The watchdog Bureau Of Indian Standard is at a loss to to find that the mark is being misused to deceive customers. Probably the involvement of private players and derth of proper vigilance -responsible for such a situation !

Asutosh Deb(Chatu Babu)was well known for his love for Dhrupad & Tappa Music. In fact he was a musician himself and renowned artists from the country were invited to perform at his Beadon Street Sabhaghar.He encouraged artists from Bishnupur for their deep understanding of Dhrupad Music. One among them was Ram Keshab Bhattacharya who later became his Sabhagayak. Famous Bai's & Dancers too performed at Chatu Babu's Nachghar. He himself was a sitarist-infact the first Bengali Sitarist !

It is true that we are sometime nothing but the plaything of circumstance.Playing a meaningless part in a shaky stage to a hostile audience.But to think that we are weaklings in the hand of destiny will most certainly undermine our wills and sap our initiatives. However, if we could master the art of "Living each second fully" then seldom will there be time for regrets and useless fretting over our dreams that remained unfulfilled.

The Beehive seems to be growing at an alarming rate.Since it is just ahead of the main gate of a School there is enough reason to be concerned. Wonder if it could be removed before the School reopens after the Puja Vacation ! The School is near Latoo Babu Lane !

Eon,the new car by Hyundai,was launched in Calcutta on 18th Oct 2011 by Mr.R.Sethuraman.It is possible that the present labour unrest at Maruti would be a God sent opp- ortunity to Hyundai.Maruti Suzuki's Alto is perhaps the largest selling car in India.Hence there is every possi- bility that the low priced Eon could make a record sale. Who knows it might help the Company to increase its over- all market share to around twenty per cent within a year or two. Windfall gains?

There had already been a lot of controversies regarding the identity of William Shakespeare.Questions like-how could an almost illiterate person have penned such Classics like Hamlet Julius Caesar etc along with various Sonnets - still prevails. Recently a film has been made (Anonymous)which will be released in Britain soon-contradicts our belief once again.It is possibly trying to throw some hints that the actual author of these master- pieces was the 17th Earl of Oxford-Edward de vere ! Just another controversy or marketing histry ?

When trams were first introduced in Calcutta they had only one coach. The 2nd coach was attached in or around the year 1900.While the 1st coach seats were cushioned the 2nd had wooden ones.Conductors usually showed more respect to the 1st class passengers.Calcutta Tramways was British owned but later it was nationalized in 1978.1st class coaches has ceiling fans & with different kind of seating arrangements which the 2nd class doesn't. It seems that the Govt. now plans to end this distinction and grant equal facilities to both the classes.Some new trams introduced on 2007 ofcourse already enjoys these facilities !

Thora grihe cholo priye Bahire thekona ar 11 Grohon somoy oti nikot hoilo hero 1 Tobo mukh subimol Jodi here rahu khol 1 Grash koribe sukho indu Tyaji purno sosodhar 11 Raga; Jhinjhit Tala: Ara tetala

As like now -during 18th century money acted as the great equalizer to build and rebuild the Caste System. Kaliprasad Dutta belonged to a wealthy Kayastha family. It is said that he married a muslim lady. For this and for many other reasons he was ostrasized by the upper Hindu elites. Ramdulal helped him out by placating a large number of important Brahmins with gifts & money. Thus Kaliprasad Dutta once again got back his position in the upper Kayastha society. In fact Ramdulal is said to have mentioned among his friends " I keep caste in my coffers."

Wonder never seems to take a pause. But there are wonder of wonders that keeps us awestricken ! Who knows what the deep sea might reveal-especially when one suddenly stumbles upon such titanic discovery. Yes we are dumbfounded to know about the recent discovery by Sea Explorers near Alantic.The British ship Mantola which was bound for Calcutta with Captain David James Chivas ( nephew of Chivas Brothers,manufacturer of Chivas Regal Brand of Scotch Wiskey) at the helm was hit by a German torpedo in the year 1917. She went under the Atlantic and along with her went 18 passengers , 165 crew members and around 20 tonnes of silver-worth about $18 million at todays price. She was finally located with the help of a tethered robot. What a catch !!!

Is humanity really doomed? The very thought saps the power of endurance which every individual needs desperately. Is Man just a base creature seeking a kind of perfection and balance while all the time distrusting himself? How to conquer this hesitation and replace it with faith and fiery courage?

Have been trying to add the tracking code but not lucky yet. Hope this time it works !!

Yes, it was an attraction not only for most Calcuttans but also for many foreigners visiting the city. It was a Kali Puja celebration still missed by many. People still enquires if that Tradition could be revived. It was known throughout Old Calcutta as Chatu Babu Bazar's Bazi or Chatu Babuder Barir Baji. As far as Mr.Blog knows, AND Trust along with Chatu Babu Bazar Associates, organised this " Excellent Fireworks" and it stopped not due to fund .Getting No-Objection certificates from various authorities was the main spoilsport !! What does Various Tourism Dept. says ?

This Traditional Puja was first started by Ramdoolal De ( Deb). The Puja is still held by maintaining every rituals strictly. This house , known as Chatu Babu Latu Babu's house, has been able to maintain every events begun by their forefathers, till now ! Hense Durga Puja, Charak Puja, Jaggadhatri Puja, Saraswati Pujas are still maintained , as it was maitained in early days. Another important feature of this house is " Classical Music " Eminent Artists were sought out to perform before Chatu Babu who was a musician himself &helped every talented musicians to come to limelight. This too is maintained till day. Classical Music programmes are still held during important Pujas of this house. Be it in Benaras or Calcutta where the house still possess goodwill. During Durga Puja Saibal & Mausam Deb of this family, organises Music Adda, where Classical Music takes an important place ! At their Beadon Street House !!