North Kolkata Calling !!

What would be our feelings when we suddenly see a   a renowned film actress of our time -aged and walking with the support of a walking stick ? Am sorry for such a beginning but the aftershock effect of such an experience compelled me to react in the fashion that I did. On my second thought I justified the situation as quite normal. In fact she was doing the correct thing and should get adequate appreciation for the same. When there was time she utilized it completely in her favor and became a much sort after heroin. Popular actors of her time like Uttam Kumar , Soumitra Chatterjee etc were heroes while she was the heroin. She was the favorite heroines of Directors like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and others ! Yes she is Madhabi Mukherjee- the Evergreen Bengali Film Actress !

"Sir please give me two rupees. "  As usual I was taking a stroll around our locality when I heard the above request. It didn't have any effect upon me as I thought it was a beggar asking for alms. As I moved on I heard the same request being made to other passersby. But I was surprised when someone casually asked him the reason the beggar replied "I want to buy a Newspaper. " I couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked him what would he do with such a thing like a Newspaper. Here is the story that he said :-   He was around 45 years old and the owner of a house which he rented out -keeping a room or two for his own use. He was a Gov. Contractor by profession and married. His only daughter left him while studying Madhyamik. I am not sure whether his wife was with him or not.    He was cheated by someone to the tune of 12 lakh after which he left business. I have no reason to disbelieve him although he looked like a beggar...

It is quite cold in Kolkata and people are generally sorting out sunny places to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Hence I too took the opportunity to find such a place  to sunbath for an hour or so. A young college girl whom I knew was doing the same. We picked up a conversation while enjoying the sun. In the mid of our chitchat the young girl   changed her topic and suddenly said "Girls are very selfish while the boys are more magnanimous." Surprised -I asked the reason for such statement. She spoke of her college friends (she is in a morning College near Amherst Street) and said that they never share Notes while the boys obliged immediately! She went on  and on on the subject just to prove her point.   We didn't proceed any further as I was getting late for my lunch.  But nevertheless- I thought what would a college boy say to that !

Once upon a time there were Rajas and Zamindars in India.  They were usually considered as Royals since they belonged to these particular class. Of course after India's Independence they lost their power & wealth and lived like commoners. In North Kolkata one could still hear or meet their descendants though most have vanished into the thin air. I met one of them today belonging to the Darjeepara Mitra's whom we usually know as Chanduda from our childhood. While having a bit of chitchat our topic rested upon Jamawars. Chanduda used to work at British Airways many many years ago. He is at present about 84/85 years old and still fit. We have often seen him during his younger age -A smart man with a pipe hanging from his mouth. He was a very stylish  and a handsome looking man. However coming back to Jamawar story - he recollected an incident where he had to attend a party in Calcutta Club. He was quite at ease with his english style dress...

                How happy is the family that loves music. The above photo tells a lot about that. I personally believe it and have myself experienced moments of joy & pleasure!  Like any other person I too have faced the usual hum drums of life but music often gave me the strength to overcome them ! Mausam's Tabla is there while he is busy with the camera and Surela Deb (Ghosh) and my wife enjoys the music !

Being in Hyderabad for quite sometime we were missing Bengali Movies .However after coming back we took the very first opportunity to watch Sanjhbati by Saibal Banerjee and Leena Gangopadhyay.  The story of the film circulated around the prevailing situation faced by two generations.    An old lady whose son was settled abroad lived alone at their house in Salt Lake. She had two helpers or caretakers who took good care of her. A relation of of faith and understanding developed between them. She also had close relation with an old friend and a lady advocate. However a local goon (promoter's agent) was after the prime property. Her son and daughter-in -law repeatedly asked their mother to come and stay with them.  But the lady depending upon her husband's pension & friend decided to stay back . Sweet memories of her husband & growing up child etc. chained her . She found their touches in every corners of the house. ...

Anger is a much used weapon against making changes.  It maybe for good or for worst - depending upon the idea or ideology.  Youths are suscsusceptible to  protest at the drop of a hat-and I agree- it's a very natural phenomenon.  That's the way it has been and perhaps that will be the only way always.  But the question remains : Should the seniors get involved in such a predicament ?