North Kolkata Calling !!

It was the first Congress President Umesh Ch. Banerjee who  gifted the Piano to his daughter Janaki Devi .The maker was the famous 'John Broadwood & Sons' of London.It reached  her in-laws house at Islampur and stayed there. The owners (Mazumdar)  sold the ancestral  house and moved to Kalyani. The piano,however, was left behind.At present it is owned by one Narayan Das. Prabir Krishna Mazumdar (grandson of Janaki Devi ) believes that The National Congress Party should take initiative to preserve it ! ( Source-ABP report dt.30/12/12) 

By Saibal Kr. Deb.         Email: allbengalmusic34@yahoo.com All Bengal Musical Conference's first session was held at Calcutta University Senate Hall in the year 1934 in the presence of Rabindra Nath Tagore.It was patronized by Nabab Bahadur of Murshidabad, Maharaja of Kashimbazar, Maharaja of Burdawan, Maharaja of Natore, Gouripur Raj & Birla family members etc. Legendary artists who performed :- (Vocal).Alladiya Khan, Abdul Karim Khan,Faiyaz Khan,Mustak Hussain Khan,Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Kesribai,Girija Shankar Chakraborty, Bhismadev Chattopadhay,Sachin  Dev Burman,Tarapada Chakraborty, Amir Khan etc. (Nritya).Uday Shankar, Gopi Krishna, Birju Maharaj, Roshan Kumari, Damayanti Joshi,Shambu Maharaj, Jay Kumari etc. (Sangat: Tabla & Sarangi).Abid Hussain, Ahmad Jan Thirakwa,Kanthe  Maharaj, Parvat Singh,Hiru Ganguly, Anokhelal Misra,Samta Prashad, Alla Raka,Keramut Alla Khan,Kishan Maharaj, ...

While listening casually to a sarod recital broadcasting from Kolkata Radio  Station ( Puria Kallyan) today at 9pm-little did I think it was the legendary  Radhika Mohon Maitra ! After the announcement I was a little taken aback. Frankly -I never thought that it was he !! Why is this happening ?

Anjan Dutta successfully related his story-all the while- keeping the audience informed about the social and political unrest of the '70s.That environment of breaking  away from joint family, atmosphere of a bonedi bari, that particular strata of society with that 'english air' with piano, violin,guitar, whisky,St.Paul's Darjeeling etc-Wonder how many viewers could identify themselves with such life style during that period.Growing up in such background and going  against long standing family values was,indeed , a challenge!  A father's wish to see his son as barrister was not unusual.  The son's view of becoming an actor(especially from such  background) was indeed unusual !     

There was a time, when lovers of Indian Classical Music were too serious. In fact they chalked out their plans & programs and did their every homework preciously ! Such was a person named Anil Mitra, who lived at Balaram Ghosh Lane (Shyampukur).   He attended each and every  conferences that was held in Calcutta during those days. As far as the author could remember -Pdt. Ravishankar was quite amazed to find him before him at Manmothonath Ghosh's House at Pathuriaghata Street. Panditji remarked," Just now I found you listening me attentively at Chatu Babu Latu Babu's Thakurbari-And now you are here too? How did you attend two programs so quickly?" Pandt. Ravishankar at Chatu Babu Latu Babu's Thakurbari.

It was a clear winter morning when Mr.X left hotel.He found  a nearby stall  and ordered for a cup of tea.Soon he found the owner, strangely occupied in an unusual task. Every now and then he would remove the cap of a container,inspect for a while and put it back. Unable to control his curiosity Mr.X asked,  "Is there anything special there?" "Only sugar,Sir-doctor's advice to check it regularly !"  

He was quite upset and weariness overpowered him. He felt no interest in life and was a regular prey to depression. His health, his work at office, his appetite -all suffered. Finally he decided to consult a doctor.The doctor,after listening patiently for a while,got busy prescribing 2 sleeping pills per day.   "Sorry doctor, I can't take 2 pills per day-you know I have work to do !"  "That's for your wife !" said the doctor.

Mothers become ferocious beasts whenever their children  encounters the slightest of discomfiture.Fathers-as mentioned by Chetan Bhagat in 2 States -prefers to play an unknown and unimportant(even repulsive) role in such affairs.Children from  their very childhood understands the predicament and quickly take side with their mother. This reminds me of a joke I have recently heard-here it is :- A friend meets a friend after a long time. "So you are married and leading a happy family life?" "Sorry, not yet." Fact was ,that his mother rejected all the girls he introduced. The friend advised him to place a girl who resembled his mother in several ways. After few months- "So how is life? Hope my advice worked?" "Yes." "So happy and at the top of the world ?" "Not exactly..ahmm ..my father doesn't like my wife !"

Walmart's Rs125 crore spent for Lobbying US Lawmakers is perhaps a healthy and a normal practice there. The result, however,could be far fetched-inclusive of providing larger  access for  investment in Indian Market ! But the same act will be considered as 'Corruption' in India. If true-why the difference? 

This time it will be Dr.Graham's Homes turn to welcome the arrival of Christmas to our city-Calcutta. Wonder how many Calcuttans would miss the opportunity  to witness the performance of 65 Homes students at La Martiniere for Boys & St.Paul's Cathedral this weekend ! 

Did anything like this happen before ? Eden Gardens is well known  for its large gatherings-supporting the home team.Who could forget how Tony Lewis reacted during his presence at Eden Gardens. This time however a reverse picture was noticed during the India- England Match. Home team supporters outnumbered by the visiting team's supporters ! Becky Fairlie-Clark, Nicky Cane(surgeon & flag worshipper),Jean Ashcroft(enthusiastic score recorder),Billy Cooper & Deco Hewitt  (Barmy Army foot soldiers) etc trumpeted all through - giving strong support to their team. Hence who could stop England from winning ?

Tiger tiger everywhere but none to be seen! In fact Suderban  is their area and it would be better if they are left in peace. A recent verdict by Supreme Court would perhaps allow tourists to enter the very core area which was probably marked for them. However, as Pranabesh Sanyal, said in a radio interview- that area too has been minimized to around 20% of the declared core area ! Wonder what will be the consequence !! Better to raise tigers at zoo and later released at forest. Difficult? Of course it is !!!  But not impossible.