Parboni - 2024 Pujo Edition

Pujo Edition | 2024

LETTER FROMTHE EDIT TEAM

Intoday’scomplexglobal environment,it’smoreimportant thanevertofocusonthevalues thatuniteus.Whilegeopolitical tensionsmayshapetheworld aroundus,asacommunity,we mustcontinuefostering cooperation,inclusivity,and resilience.TheIndianandBengali diasporastandsasabeaconof culturalprideandcontribution, maintainingadeepconnectionwith ourrootswhileplayingavitalrole inthegloballandscape.

Thisyear,theincidentatKolkata’s RGKarMedicalCollegehasbeena starkreminderofthechallengeswe continuetofaceinensuringsafety andrespectintheworkplace.The violentincidentshockedusall,and westandinfullsolidaritywith Abhaya.Itisatragicreminderthat women’ssafety,dignity,and professionalrightsmustbe protectedatallcosts.Asa community,wearecommittedto raisingawareness,advocatingfor

change,andensuringthatsuch incidentsarenotrepeated.Justas Durgasymbolizesthestrength andprotectionofthevulnerable, wetoomusttakeonthisrolein oursociety

Oursolidaritygoesbeyondwords. Wearedeeplycommittedto supportingprobonoinitiatives andcharitablework,bothherein theUKandinIndia.Whetherit’s localcommunityeffortsorhelping thoseinneedbackhome,our focusremainsongivingback, drivenbytheprinciplesofservice andcompassion.DurgaPuja,as muchasitisacelebrationof tradition,isalsoatimefor reflectionandaction.Aswecome togethertocelebrate,wemust alsorenewourdedicationtothese causes,ensuringthatthespiritof DurgaPujaextendsintorealworldimpact

DurgaPujaismorethana religiousfestival itisapowerful

reminderofthetriumphofgood overevil,ofresilienceinthefaceof adversity,andofthestrengthwe findinunity.Eventhoughweare farfromBengal,thecelebrationsin theUKbridgethatdistance, bringingtogetherthecommunityto honoroursharedheritage.Letus drawinspirationfromthis,and worktowardsbuildingasafer, moreinclusive,andcompassionate society

Wishingeveryoneajoyousand blessedDurgaPuja2024

Sourav Niyogi

Subham Pal Joydeep Pal

Sambrita Das Amit Guha

িবসজন থেক

NewBeginnings

OUR COVER

This year’s Parboni cover art is titled ‘িবসজন থেক ' or 'New Beginnings' The painting of Durga captures the complex emotions of anger, despair and pain in a way rarely seen in traditional depictions. This artwork breaks from the usual imagery of Durga and portrays her almost overwhelmed by the growing evils of the world Her eyes burn with rage, her mouth is contorted in disbelief. Emotions that we, too, share as we witness the horrors around us in global tragedies of wars, crimes, and human loss

OUR COVER ARTIST

Tamojit Bhattacharya is a Kolkatabased multi-media artist whose art explores the bonds between human emotions, stories, and nature

But more poignantly, it reminds us of a recent heinous crime in Kolkata that shook our collective conscience. The brutal incident involving a medical student has cast a dark shadow, evoking widespread outrage and sorrow. Her gruesome death has deeply shocked and pained us all. It is a grim reminder of our failure to protect a daughter in her professional space

The painting compels viewers to confront the painful reality of a world in turmoil. Yet, amidst the darkness, there is a hint of hope The storm of emotions swirling within Durga’s face reflects resilience As we step into the Pujo this year, the image compels us all to invoke our inner Durga, to rise against injustice and to ensure the victory of good over evil The battle against evil is ongoing, but the presence of Durga reassures us that light will prevail, even in the darkest of times. The glimmers of light in the painting serve as a promise that, through unity, compassion and action, we can still rise

INTHIS EDITION

INTHIS EDITION

FROMTHE BHF&LSU PRESIDENT’S DESK

Som

AsDurgaPuja2024approaches,it isafittingmomenttoreflectonthe journeyofBengalHeritage Foundation(BHF)thisyear Our commitmenttopreservingand promotingBengalicultureinthe UKandEuropehasseennumerous activitiesthatbroughttogetherour communityandcelebratedour heritageinuniqueways

Kickingofftheyearwitha celebrationofRabindraJayantiat theNehruCentre,wasatruly inspiringeventhighlighting Tagore’stimelessinfluence, bringingtogetherBengalisfromall walksoflifetocelebratehisliterary andphilosophicalcontributions.

OurBHFSummerofBengali Cinemawasoneofourmost

memorablefilmeventstodate,with SumanGhosh’sKabuliwalaand SrijitMukherjee’sOtiUttam.A retrospectiveofAparnaSen’sfilms TheJapaneseWife,36 ChowringheeLane,andParomitar EkDin wasaspecialtributetoher remarkablestorytellingand cinematicvision,drawingin audiencesfromacrossthe community.

Ourcommitmenttocommunitybuildingextendedintosportswith theIndianSuperfan’sLeague a communityfootballtournament. TeamsrepresentingfansofEast Bengal,MohunBagan,MumbaiFC, FCGoa,KeralaBlasters,andeven theIndianHighCommissioninthe UKcametogetherinthespiritof friendlycompetition,strengthening thebondswithinourdiaspora.

CollaboratingwiththeBengal ChamberofCommerceand IndustryandtheBritishCouncil, BHFcommemoratedtheBirth AnniversaryofDwarkanathTagore inKolkata,underscoringthe significanceofTagore’s contributionsandourongoing effortstoconnectwithculturaland industryinbothBengalandtheUK.

Themostanticipatedevent, however,isourflagshipLondon SharadUtsav,thelargestDurga PujainEurope.

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON

Thisyear’stheme,BisorjonTheke Shuru,reflectsMaDurga’sinternal struggleandangstamidstthe turmoilaroundtheworldandin Kolkata Itresonatesdeeplywith currentevents,andwehopeit sparksreflectionasmuchas celebration

Forthefirsttimeinourhistory,we areventuringtoholdthePuja entirelyoutdoors:achallengingbut excitingdevelopment.Designedto evokenostalgiaforthe“parkpujas” ofKolkata,fromMaddoxSquareto MohammadAliPark,wehopeit willprovideourmembersand supportersanopportunityto reconnectwiththesecherished memoriesandcreatenew experiences.

Asweenterthefestiveperiod,I sincerelyhopethatMaDurgawill guideustowardsthetriumphof goodoverevil,lightoverdarkness, andhopeoverdespair.Wearetruly gratefulforyourunwavering support,whichempowersusto continuepreservingourcultural heritageinthishomeawayfrom home,forourselvesandforfuture generations

JoyMaDurga!

Suranjan

GRATEFULFORTHE GOODWISHES

GRATEFULFORTHE GOODWISHES

FROMTHEUKPRIME MINISTER’SOFFICE

FROMTHEHIGH COMMISSIONER OFINDIA,LONDON

PERSPECTIVES

KOLKATA, MY ANCESTORS, ANDME

AuthorWilliamDalrymple hasvisitedtheIndiancityof Kolkata,wherehebrought backsomestrikingphotos fromandconnectedwithhis Bengaliroots.

William Dalrymple Writer and Historian

A SPECIALIST IDOL MAKER SLEEPS AMONG DOZENS OF HALF-FINISHED STATUES OF THE GODDESS

"Calcutta",

wrotethe BritishcolonialgeneralClive,"isone ofthemostwickedplacesinthe Universe...Rapaciousand Luxuriousbeyondconception"

Inthelate18thCentury,theBritish bridgeheadinBengalwastheCity ofPalaces,litteredwithmagnificent Palladianmansions,andalreadythe jewelamongEngland'soverseas

tradingstations.Itwasacitywhere greatwealthcouldbeaccumulated inamatterofmonths,thenlostin minutesinawageroratthewhist table.

Death,fromdiseaseorexcess,was commonplace,andtheconstant presenceofmortalitymademen callous:theywouldmournbriefly forsomeperishedfriend,thenbid drunkenlyforhiseffects.

LikemanyScotstryingtomake endsmeetinthepastcoupleof centuries,generationsofmyfamily wereborn,livedanddiedinwhat wasthenCalcutta(nowKolkata), andtheirhousesandgravesstilllie scatteredallacrossthecity.

ThefirstoutwasStairDalrymple, whodiedintheBlackHolein1756 andwhosenamecanbefoundon theMemorialinStJohn'sChurch.

MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WALTER WAS BORN THERE AS RECENTLY AS A CENTURY AGO, AND WAS - SO I'VE NOW DISCOVERED - PART-BENGALI

THE IDOLS ARE SCULPTED FROM MUD AND STRAW

Nooneinmyfamilyseemedto knowaboutthis,thoughitshould nothavebeenasurprise:wehadall heardthestoriesofhowour beautiful,dark-eyed,Calcutta-born great-great-grandmother,Sophia Pattle,withwhomthepainterSir EdwardBurne-Joneshadfallenin love,usedtospeakBengaliwithher sistersandwaspaintedbyFrederick Wattswitharakhi-aHindusacred thread-tiedaroundherwrist.

ButitwasonlywhenIpoked aroundinthearchivesthatI discoveredthatsheandWalter weredescendedfromaHindu

A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKE THE DEITY FOR IMMERSION

Bengaliwomanfrom Chandernagore(nowspelledas Chandannagar),whohadconverted toCatholicism,takenthename MarieMonicaandmarrieda Frenchofficer.

IrecentlyreturnedtoCalcuttato seeDurgaPuja-thegreatannual festivalofthecityinhonourofthe greatGoddesswhoisworshipped onthisoccasionasasymbolof familiallove.

IwatchedstatuesoftheGoddessbe sculptedfrommudandstrawby specialistidolmakers,thenbrought

BRINGING THE DEITY TO THE RIVER

intoworshipforaweek,before finallybeingimmersedinthe Ganges.

"Itbreaksmyhearttotakethis wonderfulstatuetotheriverand dropitin,"saidAbhoy Bhattacharjee,whowasorganising oneofthepujas. "Itisamoment beyondtears.Durgaisourmother. Theverydayaftertheimmersion webegincountingagainuntilthe nextDurgaPuja."

ButIalsowenttorediscoversome ofmylostBengaliroots.

IMMERSING THE DEITY

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA

OverthecourseoftheDurgaPuja week,Itouredwhatremainedof thegraves,monumentsandhouses andpalacesthatmyancestorsmust haveknown,rangingfromthegreat MarblePalaceoftheMullickfamily innorthCalcutta,throughthe NationalLibrary,oncethecentreof theadministrationofWarren Hastings,toSouthParkStreet Cemetery,StJohn'sChurchwhere mygreatgrandfatherwasbaptised, andthecrumblingmansionsof GardenReachwherehewas broughtup.

BothworldscametogetherwhenI sawimagesoftheGoddess immersedatPrinsepGhat,which wasnamedaftermyOrientalist greatuncle,JamesPrinsep,who unlockedthesecretsofKharoshti andAshokaBrahmi,thescriptof theAshokaPillars,sorediscovering awholenewchapterofforgotten ancientIndianhistory.

Theeffortcosthimhislife:he developed"anaffectationofthe brain,andbythetimehewas bundledaboardtheHerefordshire tobesenthome,"hismindwas addled".

OnthewallofStJohn'sChurch thereIfoundamemorialtomy favouriteCalcuttaancestor,James Pattle,mygreatgreatgrandfather

Pattlebecamefamousas"the biggestliarinIndia"afterhe

allegedlyclaimedtohaverowed acrosstheAtlanticinahencoop.

Accordingtothememoirof anotherofhisgreat-grandchildren, VirginiaWoolf-whoalsoshares mytrickleofBengaliblood-Pattle eventuallydrankhimselftodeath andwasputinacasketofrumto preservehimduringthevoyage backtoEngland.

Hiswifehadthecaskplacedoutside herbedroomdoor.Inthemiddleof thenighttherewasaviolent explosion,andwhenthewidow rushedoutintothepassage,she foundthecontainerhadburstand herhusbandhalfin,halfoutofthe barrel.

"Theshocksentheroffherhead thenandthere,poorthing,andshe diedraving…"Buttheworstwas yettocome Thecaskwasnailed downandputonboardtheship.

Sometimeaftertheboathadsetoff, thesailorsguesseditwasfullof liquor,boredaholeintothesideof itandbegantogetdrunk.Therum continuedtorunout,caughtfire andsettheshipablaze.

Whilethedrunkensailorswere tryingtoextinguishtheflames,the shipranontoarockandblewup. SoitwasthatPattlewascremated ratherthanburiedinBritain,ashe hadwished.

William Dalrymple is a writer and historian. He is the author of several award-winning books on India including: White Mughals, The Last Mughal, Nine Lives, The Anarchy, and The Age of Kali His most recent book is The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World This article has been reprinted here, with permission from the author, from a 2016 article written for BBC India

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY once the Governor General's Lodge

THE SOUTH PARK STREET CEMETERY

AN OLD MANSION in Bhanderhati

THE GREAT MARBLE PALACE of the Mullick family in north Calcutta

NOSTALGIA: A MASTERCLASS WITHMY MENTORS

AmartyaSen&SoumitraChatterjee

AuthorSumanGhoshgoes downthememorylaneto provideafascinatinginsight intohisinteractionswiththe actorSoumitraChatterjee andeconomistAmartyaSen.

By Suman Ghosh

Film director and professor

Duringthequestion-answersession followingthescreeningofmy documentaryfilm,The ArgumentativeIndian,atthe Nandanauditoriumoneafternoon in2018,SoumitraChatterjeewas seatedtomyleftandAmartyaSen tomyright.Itwasamassive gatheringofpeoplefromthemedia andtheintelligentsia.Beforethe functioncommenced,Ifeltit necessarytoclarifyacertainpoint. SoumitraChatterjeeistwoyears youngerthanAmartyaSen.Yet,I addresshimasKaku(uncle)and AmartyaSenasDa(shortforDada, elderbrother).

Thisisanacademictradition–this

addressingofseniorBengali academiciansasDa,beheaNobel laureateorevenfortyyearssenior toone.Unlessthisisclarified,one mayconsideritanaudacityonthe partofthespeaker

Interestingly,immediatelyafterthis, Amartya-datookthemicrophone andsaid,“Followingthe Santiniketantradition,thisDamay evenmeanDadamashai[grandpa].” Theaudienceburstoutinapplause andlaughteratthishumorous responsefromhim.Ifeltit necessarytorefertothisbefore writingthepiecelestIamdeemed audaciousorimpudent.

Iconsidermyselffortunatethatin bothmyprofessions–asan economistandasafilm-maker–I hadtheopportunityofcomingin closecontactwiththesetwogreat personalities Ihavelearnedalot frombeingwiththem,observing them.Soumitra-kakuoftenspoketo meofhisvenerationforthework donebyAmartya-da.

Once,inaninterviewhewas referredtoas‘greatestliving Bengali’.AnexasperatedSoumitrakakuprotested,“Ifeelvery embarrassedtobedescribedthus whenanotherBengalilikeAmartya Senisstillaround.”

SOUMITRA CHATTERJEE (R), SUMAN GHOSH (M) AND AMARTYA SEN (L) AT THE SCREENING OF “THE ARGUMENTATIVE INDIAN” AT NANDAN SHARODIYA

IhadinvitedSoumitra-kakuforthe screeningatNandan “The organizerswantyoutobethechief guest,”Itoldhimonthephone.

Hereplied,“Suman,willIbe requiredtospeakontheoccasion? Itwillbeimpossibleformetosay anythinginhispresence.”

Isaid,smilingtomyself,“Wewill seeaboutthat.Youjustcome.”

Atthesametime,wheneverIspoke toAmartya-daaboutSoumitrakaku,Isensedthatbesideshis respectforKakuasathespian,he alsonurturedabrotherlyfeelingfor Kaku.Whenthetwometatthe function,Soumitra-kakuwaslikean obedientstudentinfrontof Amartya-da.Amartya-daalso lookedverypleasedatmeetinghim. Hisfirstquestionwas,“Howis Sambit?”

SambitwasSoumitra-kaku’selder brother Idiscoveredthatheand Amartya-dahadstudiedtogetherin PresidencyCollege.Togetherthey alsousedtoeditajournal Thus, Soumitra-kakuwaslikeayounger brothertoAmartya-da.Onlynow didIrealizethereasonforthe brotherlyfeelingImentioned above.

Butthispersonallinkaloneisnot enoughtounderstandtheentire gamutoftheirrelationship.There wassomethingspecialabouttheir bonding.Ihaveoftenwonderedat theunusualsimilaritiesbetween thesetwoBengalis

First,bothofthemweresteepedin whatIcanonlycall‘Rabindraconsciousness’.Itwon’tbean exaggerationtosaythattheywere thetrue,worthyinheritorsof RabindranathTagore’slegacy.

ThoroughlyinfluencedbyTagore’s philosophy,thoughtsandworldview.Second,bothofthemhave passedthroughthesamehistory.I amawareofatleasttwosuch incidentsfromthehistoryofBengal thatinfluencedthemenormously: thegreatfamineof1943andthe Bengalriotsof1946.

Amartya-daspecificallyreferredto thesecondinhisNobellecture:“As achild,Iwaswitnesstoafew scenesofthatmercilesscruelty. OneafternooninDhakaaman enteredourhousethroughthe maingate,screaming,bleeding profusely Itwasheart-rending Thatwoundedman,KaderMian, stabbedintheback,wasaMuslim dailywager Hehadcomeforsome casualworkatoneofour neighbours’placetoearnafew rupees Somecommunalmiscreants inourHindu-dominatedareahad

SOUMITRA CHATTERJEE AND APARNA SEN IN SUMAN GHOSH’S BOSU PORIBAR

SHARODIYA

stabbedhim…theexperience shatteredme.Italsomademeaware ofthedangersinherentinthedivisive mentalityengenderedbypolitics arisingoutanarrowcommunaland individualidentity”Soumitra-kaku hadalsotimeandagainnarrated storiesofthe‘Calcuttakillings’of 1946 Theincidentshadtroubledhim deeply.Thewoundwassodeepthat intheirlaterlifeitwastheirprime concerntoraisetheirvoiceagainst communalism,totakeastandagainst theevilsofcommunalism.

AndabouttheBengalfamine, Amartya-dawrites:“IntheBengal famineof1943aroundtwotothree millionpeopledied.Iwasthenat Santiniketan.Thatmemorystill poundsmyheart.Itsutterlyclassbasedcharacterastonishedmeeven then.”Soumitra-kakutoldmehow thecryof‘Maa,ektufyandibi,fyan’ –thepitiableentreatyforalittlerice gruel–tormentedhimallhislife. Yearslater,Amartya-dawrotethe book,PovertyandFamines,creating asensationwithitsresearchonthe preventionoffamines.

Atthesametime,considerSatyajit Ray’sfilmAshaniSanket,which createdasensationwithitsstark depictionoftheBengalfamine,and wentontowintheGoldenBearat theBerlinFilmFestival Whata nuancedperformancebySoumitra

Chatterjeeithad.Workingintwo differentfields,thesetwoseemtobe oneintheirideologiesandtheway theylookattheworld.Wefindthem epitomizingaculture–the conscienceandintellectuality–of whichBengaliswereatthevanguard.

ItisforthisreasonthatIfeelit necessarytothinkofthesetwo peopleatthismoment.Whenpeople areplayingfastandloosewithicons ofBengalihistory,itistimeto rememberthatperhapsthesetwoare amongthemostimportant contemporaryiconsofBengal.If therearestillanyBengaliswhocan makeadifferenceattheinternational levelthroughtheirwork,itistheduo ofAmartyaSenandtherecently deceasedSoumitraChatterjee.Letus notforgetthemessagetheyhave givenusthroughtheirwork.

Ghosh is a National Award winning Indian film director He is also a sor of economics, blending his academic expertise with his cinematic vision to meaningful films that explore complex issues. from- ‘Soumitra Chatterjee: A Filmmaker Remembers’ by Suman Ghosh (Om Books International)

AMARTYA SEN

SUMAN GHOSH

SHARODIYA PARBONI

সুয়াামায় িশহরণ

মসাও হািকােম ট কের

পেড়

DURGAPUJA: THROUGHTHE EYESOFAN ARTIST

Atête-à-têtewithMirAfsarAli

THE VERSATILE ARTIST, MIR AFSAR ALI

When

I hung up, what should I say? I can't say boots, I'll say I hung up my radio microphones and headphones and stopped working on radio.

YouhavebeenanRJ,DJ,anchor,actor,andcomedian Howhas yourjourneybeeninthelast25-30years?

Exactly,30yearsIstartedmyjourneyin1994 Thatwasmyfirst yearincollegeandthat'swhenIbeganworkingasaradiojockey, justasFMwastakingoffinKolkata.Itwasn'tjustajob;itwas whereIfoundmypassion Iworkedonsomeamazingprojects andmetincrediblepeople.Andthenafterthatforthenext28 years,Ihavebeenassociatedwithradiotill2022,whenIhungup, whatshouldIsay?Ican'tsayboots,I'llsayIhungupmyradio microphonesandheadphonesandstoppedworkingonradio. ThoughIsubsequentlymigratedtotelevision,didmyownshows andthenseveralotheractivitiesinthefieldofentertainment EventhoughIhungupmyheadphonesafewyearsago,radiowill alwaysholdaspecialplaceinmyheart.WheneverItravel,Itune intolocalstationstoreconnectwiththatmagic It'smorethanjust entertainment;it'sawaytoconnectwiththepulseofaplace.

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 -

Back then, I loved traveling home on a "Coo-Jhik Jhik" train during puja. The sound of the steam engine still makes me nostalgic.

Ofallyourroles whetherasan anchororactor probablyradio hasbeenclosesttoyourheart, right?

Yes,Radiohasalwaysbeenmyfirst love.Iffacedwiththeimpossible choiceofchoosingjustonecareer, Iwouldhavestayedwithradiountil theveryend.It’safieldthatI’m deeplyconnectedtoandwould havecontinuedpursuingnomatter what

HowhasyourKolkataupbringing influencedyourcareerchoicesand senseofhumour?

Istartedmyjourneyin1994,atime beforemobilephonesanddigital music.Kolkata'sliberalatmosphere greatlyinfluencedme.It'salways beenacityofintellectualsand artisticexpression Peoplelooked uptoKolkata,andtheystilldo The city'sopennessandsupporthave allowedmyarttoflourish

BeingatrueKolkatan,canyou shareyourmostcherishedDurga Pujamemoriesfromyour childhood?

ImissthesimplejoysofDurgaPuja frommychildhood.Backthen,I lovedtravelinghomeona"Coo-Jhik Jhik"trainduringpuja Thesound ofthesteamenginestillmakesme nostalgic Imissenjoyingthegames andridesatthefestivalgrounds.

Thingswerecarefreeandwithout anycompetition Nowadays,many ofthosegroundsaregone. However,Istillcherishthe Pujobarshikisandtravelstoriesand thatthenewspaperadsstill promotetravelduringpujaholidays. TheneighbourhoodPujoscontinue toholdtheirold-schoolcharm-it'sa timeforcommunity,goodfood, andmakinggreatmemories.

HowdoyouseeDurgaPuja evolvingwithtime,especiallywith eventshappeninginternationally likeinLondon?Whatareyour thoughtsonthisglobalcelebration ofculture?

DurgaPujahasalwaysbeena landmarkeventinourlives.It's morethanjustafestival;it'san eventthatdrawspeoplefromfar andwide

Thephrase"Pujoiebaraschistoh" hasbeenatemptinginvitationfor Bengalisworldwide.

WhilePujoshavebecomemore glamorousandcompetitive,the corevaluesofcamaraderie, bonhomie,andwelcomingnature remainunchanged.Thisspirithas inspiredBengalicommunitiesacross theglobetocelebrateDurgaPujaas aregularlandmarkeventontheir calendar

SHARODIYA

Celebrate the message that Durga Puja comes with-

“The evil is vanquished, the evil is defeated, and the truth stands forward”.

Doyouhaveanyspecialritualsor traditionsduringDurgaPujathat younevermiss,despiteyourbusy schedule?

EventhoughI'moftenbusy performingduringDurgaPuja, AshtamiAnjaliisasomethingwhich Ilookforwardtoandnevermiss. Asanartist,I'musuallybookedfor shows,butIalwaysmaketimefor thisspecialritual.Evenonbusy morningshostingmyradioshow, I'dfindawaytoofferAnjaliata nearbypandal.It'sacherished familytraditionandwithmy Brahminwifeandourrelatives,all gettogether.Ourdiversefamily backgroundmakesthesemoments evenmoremeaningful.This traditionissoingrainedinmethatI knowwhenAshtamiiscoming,no matterhowbusyIam,I’llplanmy dayaccordingly.

Whatroledoyouthinkartistsand entertainerslikeyourselfplayin preservingculturalheritage, especiallyduringfestivalslikeDurga Puja?

IthinkduringDurgaPuja,crossculturalexchangetakesthecenter stage.Artistsfromvarious backgroundscometogetherto sharetheirtalentsandconnectwith audiences.Thisuniqueevent amplifiesourvoicesandallowsus toreachawideraudiencethanever before.Specialperformancesand liveeventsaretelevisedand showcasedonline.It'sapowerful platformforusartiststobondwith theircommunityandpeoplearound theglobeinthesefourdays.

Whatexcitingprojectsareyou workingoncurrentlythatyou’dlike tosharewithourreaders?

Thisyear,Ihavegotmyownstudio andofficeafterworkingover30 yearsforsomeoneelse.Thisis wherealltherecordingsand operationsof “GoppoMir” happens.Metaphorically,thispujoI havegotmypersonaltemple

Lastly,aspecialmessageforthe BengalidiasporainLondon celebratingDurgaPujafarfrom home!

Overthelastmonthorso,the anticipationforDurgaPujahas beendampened.Thecityfeelsless vibrantthanusual,andmany preparationsarelagging.Despite thesechallenges,weremain committedtocelebratingthespirit ofthefestivalandnottheassociated pomposity.

CelebratethemessagethatDurga Pujacomeswith“Theevilis vanquished,theevilisdefeated,and thetruthstandsforward” WehopeourBengalifriendsin Londonwillstandwithusintheir thoughtsandprayersaswestriveto overcometheseobstaclesand celebratethetriumphofgoodover evil

Mir Afsar Ali is a renowned Indian media personality known for his work as a radio jockey, TV host, anchor and actor. He is celebrated for his wit, charm and versatility in the Bengali entertainment industry

SHARODIYA PARBONI

THE FORGOTTEN MANSIONOF KOLKATA

BasuBatiBagbazar

AuthorDeepanjanGhosh

putsupspotlighton

Basubati,ahiddengemin NorthKolkata,asaunique architecturalmarvelwitha richhistory.

Deepanjan Ghosh

History Buff and Photographer

"Basu Bati",

onBagbazar StreetinNorthCalcutta(Kolkata) deservestobeknownasoneofthe mostuniqueheritagebuildingsin theentirecity Itsarchitectureisin astylethatisnotseenanywhere elseanditshistoryisrichand eventful Butwhilefewhave steppedintoitshallowedportals, fewerstillknowitsfullstory.

THESTORYOFTHEBASU FAMILY

ThescionsofBasuBati,NandaLal andPasupatiBasu,weresonsof MadhavChandraBasuand grandsonsofJagatChandraBasu, ofthedistinguishedBasufamilyof KantapukurinShyambazar

MadhavChandradiedinJune1859, survivedbythreesons–Mahendra Nath,NandaLalandPasupatiNath. Around1874,MahendraNath’s unclepassedawayandheinherited alargezamindariinGayafromhim, whichhehelpedextricatefrom legalcomplications Becauseofthe lavishincomefromthezamindari, thefamilywasabletoacquirethe landinBagbazar,onwhichBasu Batistandstoday.Thefoundation stonewaslaidinOctoberof1876 andthefamilymovedintwoyears later.

Asarchitectoftheirfamilyseatin thecity,theBasusselectedNilmani Mitra,whoalsohappenedtobethe firstBengalitoqualifyasacivil engineer Mitrahadbeenthe

AssistantEngineerinthePresidency Division,butquitgovernment serviceoveradifferenceofopinion. Inadditiontoanumberofpalatial buildingsinCalcutta,Mitraalso designedtheChariotofJagannath templeofMaheshinSerampore.

BASU BATI BAGBAZAR

THE THAKURDALAN

THE ANDAR-MAHAL COURTYARD

THEARCHITECTUREOFBASU BATI

Thetwo-storeyedbuildingfacesthe south,andfromthatside,one entersalargecourtyard.Thereare roomsonthesouthern,easternand westernsideofthiscourtyard, whilethenorthernsideisoccupied byamagnificentthakurdalan,of doubleheight Thechambersfacing southonthe1stfloorwereknown asthebaithak-khana.Thisformed thebahirmahalorouterhouse The buildingextendsfurthernorth, whichdefinedtheandarmahalor innerhouse Thisparticularsection containsanothersmallercourtyard.

ThereasonBasuBatilooksso differentfromanyotherbuilding fromthisperiodisbecauseNilmani MitrachoseIslamicandHindu influencesforthebuilding,as opposedtothemoreconventional Europeanstyles.Onthesouthern sidearetwosetsoffourmassive columnssupportingtwoprojecting porticos.Thecapitalsofthe columns,insteadofthecommonly seenfloralmotifs,containacircleof lionheadsinrelief.Eachis connectedtotheotherbyadouble rowofbeads.Scallopedarchways,

intheIslamicstyle,leadintothe groundfloorcourtyard Colonnadedverandasrunthe lengthofthethreeothersides, openingontovariousrooms On thegroundfloor,thecolumnsare octagonalinshape,withplain capitals Butonthefirstfloorlevel, theybecomecircular,withmore conventionalfloralcapitals.

Thethakurdalanitselfisintricately decoratedandcantakequitea whiletoabsorbitssplendours Threerowsofcolumnsare featured.Althoughthoseonthe outsideareofamoretraditional Europeanstyleandofdouble height,theircapitalsaredistinctly Hindu,bearingfloralmotifs Beyondaretwomorerowsofsix columns,whichareshorterand moresquatandbearsome resemblancetoHindutemple pillars.Thesesupportaseriesof scallopedarchesofthepatternone commonlyseesinthakurdalansin largeBengalimansions.Theinterior isrichlydecoratedaswell.Above thearchesareanumberofstucco medallionscontainingHindu religiousandmythologicalfigures. Therearwallcontainsaseriesof mysteriousfemalefaceswhoseeyes

areclosed.

Theroomstotheeastofthemain courtyard,inthenorthernsection, ie,theandarmahal,arepresently occupiedbytheRamakrishnaDay StudentsHome,whichprovidesa library,severalreadingroomsanda canteentocollegestudentsata nominalcost.Thearchitecturehere issomewhatdifferentthanthe majorityoftheBari.Thearches, althoughsmaller,arenevertheless morefanciful Octagonalcolumns onthegroundfloorhaveplain capitals,whilethoseonthefirst floorhavecapitalswithfoliage patternshalfwayup,andcircular fauxcolumnswithfloralcapitals emergeabovethem

BASUBATI:FROMREGALITYTO RUIN

MahendraNathdiedon16th August,1874,beforeBasuBatihad beencompleted.Theproperty passedontoNandaLaland PasupatiNath.NandaLalhadfive sons:BinodBehari,BipinBehari, BankuBehari,BonoBehariand BotoBehari.PasupatiNath’stwo sonsfromhisfirstmarriage, AmarnathandAmulyanathdiedin

SHIVASHIS BOSE'S DRAWING

THAKURDALAN LOTUS CAPITALS

their30’s Theyoungestsonfrom his2ndmarriage,AnanthnathBasu wouldcontinueresidinginthe house,alongwithNandaLal’s descendants,untilaround Independence.Propertydisputes hadalreadycausedapartitionofthe houseby1898,butthefinalblow wouldcomealmost60yearslater.

AnanthnathBasuwasaflamboyant man.Hewasmarriedtothe daughterofNirmalChandra Chunder,awealthysolicitorand oneofthe“bigfive”oftheIndian NationalCongressinBengal. AccordingtosourcesintheBasu family,intheperiodimmediately afterIndependence,Chunderhad managedtorunuphugedebts In anattempttopayoffhisfather-inlaw’sdebts,Ananthnathdecidedto selloffhishalfofthehouse JournalistGautamBasuMallick contendsthatAnanthnathmayhave hadtosellhishousebecauseofhis ownextravagances.BasuBatiwas splitdownthemiddlein1956,with thegovernmentofWestBengal purchasingtheeasternhalfofthe maincourtyardandthenorthern andarmahal,withthewesternhalf remaininginpossessionofNanda Lal’sdescendants.

AnanthnathBasu,alongwithhis family,i.e.,PasupatiNath’s descendants,movedtoSintheein North24parganas,afterthesale Meanwhile,inBasuBati,with NandaLal’ssonsgettingmarried andstartingfamiliesoftheirown, thehousewasnolongeradequate fortheirneeds.NandaLal’s2nd son,BipinBehariBasuwould eventuallymovebackintothe originalhouseofhisancestors. BinodBehariwouldmoveoutand buildhimselfanotherhousetothe northwestcornerofBasuBati,on landwherethestablesoncestood. ThatleftBankuBehari,BonoBehari andBotoBehariinpossessionof BasuBati.

OfBotoBehari’s3sons,Shibendra Nathhadnochildren.Shailendra Nathhadasonandadaughter But itwouldbeSatyendraNath’ssons, AmitandAlokBasuwhowould remaininthehousetilltheend AfterAlok’sdeathin2005,Amit wouldapproachthefamily membersonbehalfof HarshvardhanNeotia’sAmbuja Realty,whohadaplantodevelop BasuBatiintoaheritagehotel Detailsoftheplanwerediscussed withfamilymembersandAmit

managedtogetallmembersofthe familyonboard.AmbujaNeotia wouldtakepossessionofthe thakurdalanin2007andthe southwesternandwesternportions ofthehousethefollowingyear.But notmuchactualworkhashappened inthepastdecade.Awell-placed sourceinAmbujaplacestheblame forthissquarelyonthestate government.“ThisisaGradeI heritagebuilding,whichmeanswe cannotsomuchashammeranail intoawallwithoutgovernment permission.Wehavesharedour planswiththegovernment,butthat permissionhasnotbeengranted”. Stuckinlimboandlacking necessarymaintenance,BasuBati’s conditionhasworsenedfurther Theroofhassprungleaksinseveral placesandweedshavetakenrootall overthestructure Plasterand mortarchunksfallingofftheceiling arecommonoccurrences.

Tomakemattersworse,thesource says,BasuBaticannot,orshould notberepairedusingmodern methodsandmaterials,andonlya smallnumberofcraftsmenpossess theskillsneededtocarryout repairs.Itisalsounclearwhythe DepartmentofHigherEducation,

DRAWINGS

whoseannualbudgetfor2013-14 wasmorethanRs.2487crores,has refusedtomaintainthepartofthe buildingtheyoccupy

BASUBATI:WITNESSTO HISTORY

entirelyofbrass,withasetof marblesteps.

GRANDFATHER CLOCK

OvertimeNandaLalandPasupati Basuacquiredaspectacular collectionofpaintings,manyinthe Kalighatpawtstylewhichadorned BasuBati.Therewerealsopaintings byBamapadaBanerjee,afamous artistin19thcenturyBengal,whose worksinfluencedJaminiRoy,who issaidtohavebeenafrequent visitortoBasuBati.BasuBatiisalso saidtohavehadagoodcollection ofTanjorepaintings,characterised by“rich,flatandvividcolors, simpleiconiccomposition,glittering goldfoilsoverlaidondelicatebut extensivegessoworkandinlayof glassbeadsandpiecesorveryrarely preciousandsemi-preciousgems” Suchpaintings,alongwithmany otherpricelessartefacts,hadbeen soldbeforetheBasusvacatedthe house.AmongthemwasNanda Lal’smagnificentbed,made

TheBasuswerealsonotedfortheir enthusiasmandsupportforthe theatre.In1891,whenadispute arosebetweentheStarTheatreand thefatheroftheBengalistage, GirishGhosh,theBasusmadetheir houseavailableforactorswholeft TheStarandbeganperforming underthename“CityTheatre”. BasuBatiwasalsooneoftheonly Bengalihomestohavebeenvisited byNawabWajidAliShah,thelast KingofOudh,whowasinexilein GardenReach WajidAliShah’s visittoBasuBatiwasinorderto watchaperformanceoftheplay entitled,“TheVictoryofthe Pandavas”.

InJulyof1905,GeorgeNathaniel Curzon,theViceroyofBritish India,announcedthepartitionof theprovinceofBengalon communallines.Onthe16thof October,thedaythepartitionwas effected,amassiveprocessionwas ledfromFederationHallonA.P.C. RoadtoBasuBatiinBagbazarby FEATURED

RabindranathTagore The processionendedwitharakhitying ceremonyinBasuBati,where BengaliHindusandMuslimstied thesacredthreadoneachother’s wriststosymbolisetheirunity. Alongsidetheceremony,therewas ameetingthatestablishedanational fundtohelpreviveIndian–based industry,markingthebeginningof the“Swadeshi”movement.The fundwouldcollectRs.50,000that day,whichwouldbealmost doubledwithinafewmoredays Thefollowingyear,Bengal’sfirst exhibitionofkhadiorhomespun cloth,tochallengetheproduceof themillsofLancashire,washeldin BasuBati.

CONCLUSION

BasuBati'slocationbehindlarger buildingsandrestrictedentryhave contributedtoitsobscurity.Despite itsuseasafilminglocationin movieslikeBaishey Shrabon,the buildingfacesanuncertainfuture. Urgentactionisneededtoprevent itscollapseandpreservethis valuablepieceofKolkata'shistory.

Deepanjan Ghosh, popularly known as Mirchi Deep, is a Kolkata favourite. He has won various national awards as a Radio Jockey His programmes Bumper to Bumper, Kolkata Express, and Club Mirchi have been very popular and the show Sunday Suspense on the station has also attracted audiences thanks to his amazing vocal prowess. Apart from this, he is also a history buff, a landscape and architecture photographer and a blogger

ASANCTUARY INTHE CLOUDS

RashtrapatiNiwas,Mashobra

AuthorKumarSamresh introducesustothehidden charmsofthepresidential retreatintheshadowsofthe Himalayas.

By Kumar Samresh

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Nestledontheverdantslopesof HimachalPradesh,farabovethe swelteringheatandclamourofthe plains,standsRashtrapatiNiwas, Mashobra Cradledbythecool embraceofoak,cedarandpine,this sereneestatewhisperstalesofa bygoneera,itswindsstirringwith theechoesofhistoryandthe timelessbeautyofnature.

AstheBritishRajexpanded,Shimla wasdeclaredthesummercapitalof BritishIndiaby1864,atownwhere thesunneverscorchedandthe mountainaircarriedafaintpromise ofEngland Amidtheopulenceof

theViceregalLodgeShimla (currentlyIIAS),theViceroysought adeeperescapeatTheRetreat,asit wasthenknown,findingsolitude awayfromthedemandsofcolonial governance.

LeasedfromtheRanaofKotiinthe 19thcentury,theestateprovided notjustrespitebutrenewal.Days werespentwanderingthrough forestedpathsandenjoyingpicnics ongrassyknolls,makingdecisions thatshapedthecourseofhistory itself.

TheannualSipiFairinthenearby

villagefusedBritishformalitywith Himachalitradition Grandpicnics wereheldunderoaksdrapedin autumnhues,theairfilledwith laughterandwarmbanter,creating vibrantmemories.

ThearchitectureofRashtrapati Niwasreflectsitspurpose:simple, unassuming,andharmonious withitssurroundings Builtusing thetraditionaldhajjiconstruction method timber-framedwallsfilled withstoneandbrick itexudes warmthandcomfort,acontrastto thegrandresidencessymbolizing Britishpower

THE RASHTRAPATI NIWAS, MASHOBRA

Post-independence,Rashtrapati NiwassymbolizesIndia'senduring spiritratherthanempire.Itnow servesasanofficialsummerretreat ofthePresidentofIndia,offering profoundstillnessandareminder ofIndia’srichnaturalheritage,with itsrarecopperbirchtrees symbolizingitsuniquecharm.

Thesurroundingforeststeemwith life,housingvibrantbutterfliesand melodiousbirds.Arecentsurvey documentednearly50butterfly species,includingtherare HimalayanSergeantandthedeath’s headhawkmoth,contributingto theestate’sthrivingecosystem.

Today,RashtrapatiNiwasstandsas atestamenttothepassageoftime, hostinggatheringsofIndianleaders whereonceBritisharistocrats picnicked.Thelaughterofchildren stillringsthroughthetreesand butterfliescontinuetheirmorning dance.

VisitorstoRashtrapatiNiwasare greetedbyvibrantappleorchards andtulipbeds,whilethehistoric sundialclockmarksthepassageof time.Opentothepublic,this tranquilretreatisanessentialstop ontheroutefromShimlatoKufri andNarkanda.Forapeaceful

escapefromthehustleofdailylife, andtosoakinthegrandeurof RashtrapatiNiwas,amidstthe landscapesofMashobraandnearby Chharabra,visitorscanbooktheir visitthroughtheofficialwebsite: https://visitrashtrapatibhavangovi n/visit/rashtrapati-niwas-mashobrashimla/vm.

IntheshadowoftheHimalayas, RashtrapatiNiwasatMashobra endures asilentsentinelofIndia’s past,presentandfuture,itsbeauty andtranquilityuntouchedbythe marchoftime

Kumar Samresh is the Public Relations Officer(Museum), Visitors Facilitation Cell (VFC), President’s Secretariat

Disclaimer: The views expressed are personal opinions of the author and do not represent that of the organisation.

THE ESTATE DURING THE 19TH CENTURY

THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF MASHOBRA

BEAUTIFUL

BENGALI FOOTPRINTS INLONDON

Ray,Chuckerbutty,andTagore

AuthorSarbajitMitra delvesintosurprisingties betweenKolkataand Londonthroughthelivesof threeeminentBengali personalities.

By Sarbajit Mitra Historian and Academic

SukumarRayandthe RoyalPhotographic Society

atedadjacenttotheSchoolof entalandAfricanStudies,this ding,nowpartoftheUniversity ondon'sSenateHouse,hasan iguingconnectiontoacultural nfromCalcutta.Thebuilding vedastheofficeoftheRoyal tographicSocietyfrom1909to 0.TheRoyalPhotographic iety,foundedin1853in ponsetothegrowinginterestin tographyfollowingtheGreat ibitionof1851,istheworld's estcontinuouslyactive tographicorganization.Initially iatedwiththeRoyalSocietyof s,theSocietyrelocatedseveral esbeforeestablishingits dquartersinBathin1979.

umarRay,whowasstudying ntingandphotoengravingin donfrom1912to1913, ameamemberoftheRoyal tographicSociety.After duatinginPhysicsand emistryfromPresidencyCollege, SukumarRaytravelledtoEngland on'GuruprasannaScholarship’

HeinitiallyenrolledintheLondon SchoolofPhotoEngravingand Lithography(nowtheLondon CollegeofCommunication)to studycollotypeandlithographybut latertransferredtotheManchester MunicipalSchoolofTechnology, wherehecompletedhisdegree SukumarwasalsoelectedaFellow oftheRoyalPhotographicSocietyin 1921,theyearbeforehispassing He wasonlythesecondIndianto receivethishonour,thefirstbeing PrasannaCoomarTagore

35, RUSSELL SQUARE

OLD OFFICE OF THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

SUKUMAR RAY’S NAME IN THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY’S MEMBERSHIP LIST.

SoorjoCommar GoodeveChuckerbutty andtheKensalGreen Cemetery

KensalGreenCemetery,oneofthe 'MagnificentSeven,'isprimarily knowninBengalasthefinalresting placeofDwarkanathTagore.The cemeteryalsoservesastheeternal abodeforthemortalremainsof severaldistinguishedindividuals associatedwithCalcuttaandIndia, includingHoraceHaymanWilson, WilliamMakepeaceThackeray, ThomasandWilliamDaniell, AlexanderCunningham,andJames RanaldMartin.Inthisshortpost, however,Iwillfocusonaless

celebratedfigurewithperhapsthe mostcompellingstory

SurjoCoomarGoodeve Chuckerbuttywasoneoftheearly medicalstudentsofthenewly establishedCalcuttaMedical Collegeandwasamongthefour studentssponsoredbyDwarkanath Tagoreforfurtherstudiesin England Chuckerbuttybecamethe firstIndiantoholdteaching positionsathisalmamater,CMC, andthefirstIndiantobeadmitted

totheIndianMedicalService.He madesignificantcontributionsto contemporarymedicalresearchand wroteregularlyforleadingjournals ofthetime Chuckerbutty,who foundpatronsandsupportersfrom boththeEuropeanandIndian communities,servedasacultural intermediary.Hetragically succumbedtoillnessattheuntimely ageof48whileonanextended leavetotheUnitedKingdomin 1874.

SURJO COOMAR GOODEVE CHUCKERBUTTY’S ETERNAL ABODE AT KENSAL GREEN CEMETERY

"Heisdeadofhavingdesiredtolive toofast.Theburiallastedthewhole day:TheQueenandtheCabinet hadsentcarriages.Allthehighclass initsentiretywasthere,andtoeach participantweredonatedveilsof blacksilkwhichtheyretained Thesearekindsofscarveswhich becamepartofeveryone’sdress duringtheceremony Becauseof thereligionoftheBaboohisbody hasnotbeentakencareofbyany church Hehasbeenburiedinthe generalcemeterywhichisgoingto becomeasortofPèreLachaise..."

ExcerptsfromaletterbyComte FeuilletdeConchestohiswife, Courtesy-DwarkanathTagore,a forgottenpioneer:Alife,Krishna Kripalani.

PrinceDwarkanathTagore andtheKensalGreen Cemetery

OnAugust1,1846,thecityof Londonwasstruckbyasevere storm;itwasalsotheday DwarkanathTagorepassedawayin ahotelnearPiccadillyCircus.Three dayslater,hewaslaid torestattheKensalGreen Cemetery.

DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER TO KOLKATA PAYING TRIBUTE

PRINCE DWARKANATH TAGORE’S ETERNAL ABODE AT THE KENSAL GREEN CEMETERY

Sarbajit Mitra completed his PhD from the Department of History at SOAS in 2023 Sarbajit’s doctoral research focuses on the socio-medical history of intoxicants in colonial Bengal in the nineteenth century. Currently, he is a faculty member at the Department of History at St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta His interests lie in the histories of colonial cities, cultures of the body and visual culture.

DR ANDREW FLEMING, BRITISH

HODGE থেক

AuthorSouravNiyogi exploreswhetherthestories ofHodgethecatservedas aninspirationforSukumar Ray’screationofthe fantasticalworldofHaJaBa RaLa.

By Sourav Niyogi Cultural Heritage Connoisseur

"Ha Ja Ba Ra La",

isachildren'snovellabySukumar Ray,widelyregardedasoneofthe finestexamplesofnonsense literatureinBengali.Frequently comparedto*AliceinWonderland* tohighlightitsgenre,artisticmerit andplayfulstyle,Ray’sworkissaid tobeinfluencedbyCarroll’s.Yet, bothstoriesstandapart,each craftingitsownfantasticaluniverse, unboundbylogicandfilledwith marvelsandabsurdities

Oneafternoon,havingfinished workearlyinHolborn,mymind begantodriftwithaswirlof whimsicalthoughts.Suddenly,Iwas remindedofSukumarRayandhis timeinLondon,particularlythe schoolheattended.

RayarrivedintheUKinOctober 1911tostudyprinting.Initially,he stayedattheNorthbrookSociety,a divisionoftheNationalIndian Association(NIA),foundedby MaryCarpenterwithsupportfrom KeshubChandraSen The NorthbrookSocietyshared premiseswiththeNIAandthe BureauforInformationforIndian Studentsat21CromwellRoad, SouthKensington abuildingthat todayhousestheFrenchConsulate TheSocietyprovidedtemporary lodgingforIndianstudentsand visitors,includingRay

WhileinLondon,SukumarRay studiedattheLondonSchoolof PhotoEngravingandLithography, locatedatBoltCourt,underthe

SUKUMAR RAY’S "HA JA BA RA LA” | DR JOHNSON WITH HODGE (INSET)

THE FRENCH EMBASSY TODAY AT 21 CROMWELL ROAD, WHERE SUKUMAR RAY STAYED IN 1911.

auspicesoftheLondonCounty Council.

THE BUILDING THAT HOUSED THE LONDON SCHOOL OF PHOTO ENGRAVING AND LITHOGRAPHY, LOCATED AT BOLT COURT.

Theschoolat6BoltCourtisnextto GoughSquare,hometoDrSamuel Johnson’shouse.AsIwandered around,myattentionwasdrawnto astatueofJohnson’sbelovedcat, Hodge,inthesquare.Aneighbour ofDrJohnsononcefondly remarkedaboutHodge: "Who,byhismasterwhencaressed, warmlyhisgratitudeexpressed,and neverfailedhisthankstopurr, whene'erhestrokedhissablefurr [sic]"

Sittingwithapintatnearbydimlylit andatmosphericYeOldeCheshire Cheese,apubrebuiltin1667after theGreatFire,mythoughtsdrifted further.ItstruckmethatSukumar Ray,livingsoclosetoGough Squarein1911,musthavevisitedDr Johnson’shouse.Couldhehave heardtalesofHodgeandtheother catsthatlivedwithDrJohnson?Did thesestoriesofHodgesomehow inspirethefanciful,feline-filled worldofHaJaBaRaLa?

Postscript: Laterthatyear,SukumarRay movedtoManchestertostudyat theManchesterSchoolof Technology HewasinLondon whenRabindranathTagorevisited in1912.

Ray,whowasgoodfriendswith Tagore’sson,Rathindranath,was alsoanactivememberoftheIndia Society.In1922,SukumarRaywas madeaFellowoftheRoyal PhotographicSociety.

Sourav Niyogi is a Trustee of the Bengal Heritage Foundation and a connoisseur of travel, cuisines and heritage His deep knowledge of cultural heritage, paired with his passion for culinary exploration and travel, positions him as a unique and insightful voice on emerging cultural trends.

DR SAMUEL JOHNSON’S HOUSE

HODGE’S STATUE WITH OYSTERS AND SITTING ATOP DR JOHNSON’S DICTIONARY

ASILK ROUTE ODYSSEY

UnravelingGeorgiaandCaucasus

AuthorJoydeepPaltraces thefootstepsoftheSilk Routetradersthroughthe breathtakinglandscapesof theCaucasusinGeorgia.

By Joydeep Pal Cultural Explorer

nestledinthe CaucasusMountains,offersa uniqueblendofancienthistory, stunninglandscapes,andrich culturalheritage.Onceavitallink alongtheSilkRoute,currentlythe GeorgianMilitaryHighwayoffersa captivatingglimpseintothe erstwhilehistorictraderouteand theancientworld.Thisancient pathway,connectingEuropeand Asia,playedapivotalroleinthe exchangeofgoods,ideas,and culturesforcenturies.Ourjourney alongtheSilkRouteandGeorgian MilitaryHighwayfromTbilisito Kazbegiwasatestamenttothis.

ZhinvaliReservoir,aserenelake surroundedbylushgreenery,was onceabustlingtradingpostonthe SilkRoute.Merchantsandtravellers wouldhavepassedthroughthis area,theircaravansladenwith preciouscommodities.

TheAnanuriFortress,amagnificent 17th-centuryfortificationperched onthebanksoftheAragviRiver, likelyservedasastrategicoutpost alongthisvitaltraderoute.

AsweascendedtheJvariPass,the

DOUBLE RAINBOW SIGHTING WITH MOUNT KAZBEGI AS BACKDROP FROM THE GERGETI HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

ZHINVALI RESERVOIR ANANURI FORTRESS

Georgia,

THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN FRIENDSHIP MONUMENT

highestpointontheGeorgian MilitaryHighway,wecouldn'thelp butimaginethecaravansthatwould havetraversedthischallenging terrain.TheRussian-Georgian FriendshipMonumentalsostands asatestamenttothehistorical significanceofthisregion.

Ourculinaryjourneybeganinthe charmingvillageofBibliani.Here, weindulgedinthelocaldelicacy, Khinkali,asavorydumplingfilled withmeat,cheese,orpotatoes.The w

AsweapproachedKazbegi,the journeybecameevenmore exhilarating.TheGeorgianMilitary Highwaytransformedintoa serpentineroad,windingthrough breathtakinglandscapes.The GergetiHolyTrinityChurch, perchedonahilltopwithMount Kazbegiasitsbackdrop,offereda trulyawe-inspiringsight.The church,asymbolofGeorgian spirituality,hasstoodthetestof time,witnessingcenturiesof history

Oneofthemostmemorable momentsofourjourneywasour encounterwiththeGergetiGlacier, amassiveiceformationthat descendsfromtheslopesofMount Kazbegi.Theglacier'sicybluehues andimposingpresencecreateda senseofaweandwonder Aswe hikedclosertotheglacier,wecould hearthedistantrumbleofice crackingandshifting

Ourjourneyculminatedinadouble rainbowsightingatMountKazbegi. Thevibrantcolorsagainstthe backdropofthesnow-cappedpeak createdamagicalandunforgettable moment Aswereflectedonour journey,werealizedthatGeorgia's beautyliesnotonlyinitsstunning landscapesbutalsoinitsrich history,warmhospitality,and enduringspirit.

Readytoretracethefootstepsof ancienttraders?

Joydeep Pal, a member of the Bengal Heritage Foundation, is a passionate entrepreneur and an avid globetrotter with a deep-rooted love for exploring cultures around the world. His travels have taken him to countless destinations, where he has immersed himself in local traditions, foods and customs.

KHINKALI, A LOCAL SAVOURY

MOUNT KAZBEGI

SHARODIYA

THEGREAT MARKET WAR

NewMarket'sDramaticHistory

AuthorSujaanMukherjee exploresNewMarket Kolkata'shistorical significance,fromitsorigins asHogg'sMarkettoits portrayalintheplays 'TheGreatMarketWar.'

By Sujaan Mukherjee Historian and Curator

There are those who will call it “Hogg Saheb-er market” before checking themselves (rather deliberately) and settling for “Jakey tomra New Market bolo”...

Havingturnedahundredandfifty earlierthisyear,theNewMarketis nowofficiallyold Manyfeelthat theplacehaslostsomeofitsformer charm;othersstillswearbyits cosmopolitanism,despitethe mushroomingofshoppingmallsin thecity.Thentherearethosewho willcallit“HoggSaheb-ermarket” beforecheckingthemselves(rather deliberately)andsettlingfor“Jakey tomraNewMarketbolo”,eagerto impressuponusthelengthoftheir associationwithCalcutta.It’sallin goodhumourbecause,loveitor avoidit,theaffectionitinspiresis easytoappreciate.

Afewyearsback,Ihadbeen commissionedtocreateahistory walkwithinareasonableradiusof theIndianMuseum.Thiswaspart

ofDAG’s(formerlyDelhiArt Gallery)“MarchtoFreedom” exhibition,andIwassupposedto reflectuponbuildings,parksand otherplacesthatweresitesof contestationincolonialorpostcolonialtimes.TheNewMarket wastobeourlastportofcall because,whiletrawlingtheBritish Librarycollectionsometimeback,I hadchancedupontwoplaysin Bangla SurenChandra Bandyopadhyay’sGreatMarket War(1874)andSisirKumar Ghosh’sBajarerLorai(c 1874) whichdramatizedtheconflictsand controversiessurroundingthe establishmentofthemarket

Sincethe18thcentury,therewere lawsinplacetoensurethatnew bazarsdidnotpopupinthevicinity

ofexistingones.Theminimum distancebetweentwobazarswas usuallytakentobefourtosixmiles butthemoreinterestingmeasureof thefairradius(BoardofRevenue, 1790)wasbythesoundofdrums ifyoucanhearthebeatsfromthe existingbazar,youaretooclosefor comfort Understandably,whenthe Municipality,empoweredin1871to

TUCKS POSTCARD FEATURING THE NEW MARKET (C. EARLY-20TH CENTURY)

AndwhenoneoftheRatePayers begshimtoreducetheirtax,hehas hisdarwansummarilyremovethem fromthescene:“Nahi,nahi,kuch kameganahi,jao,abhijao.” (AnyoneelseremindedofCapt RussellfromLagaan?)The playwrightfurthervilifiesHogg’s characterbyshowinghimas disdainfulofBengalisashe dismissesBanglalanguageprimers likeBarnaParichayandShishu Shikshaas“obscenetexts.”

constructmarkets,identifiedaplot oflandneartheoldFenwick’s bazar,HeeraLalSeal,theownerof thenearbyDharmatalabazar, startedfeelingjittery.Hisbazarhad beenattheJustices’crosshairsfora longtime.Asearlyas1818,the CommitteeforImprovingtheTown ofCalcutta,wasflaggingitasa “grievousnuisance”foritslackof hygiene.

SurenChandraBandyopadhyay’s GreatMarketWarisathree“act” (abhinaya)play Thefirsttwoacts setup,withacharminglackof subtlety,starkcontrastsbetween thebenevolentpatriarch,HeeraLal Seal,andtheshrewdandheartless StuartHogg.OveratDharamtala Bazar,hawkersandwholesalersbeg forSeal’sprotectionfromthe minionsofHogg,whoaretryingto preventthemfromreachingtheir placeofwork Sealpromisesthem protectionandofferstopersonally interveneinthematter.Hogg,on theotherhand,isinhiscounting house,countingouthismoney.

Aplayofsuperiorcraftsmanship, Ghosh’sBajarerLoraistagesa directconfrontationbetweenHogg andSealtogreatcomiceffect In thefirstact,bothmengetupona tableandturntheirpocketsinside outtoprovethesourcesoftheir wealth,andinthesecondact,we haveaperfectlyinfantilegameof shadowingwhereSealfrustrates Hoggbyrepeatingeverythinghe says.AlthoughGhoshdoesnothold backfrommakingalaughingstock ofbothprotagonists,theplayends,

NEW BUST OF SIR STUART

rathercuriously,withahearingat theTownHall,whichresultsina humiliatingdefeatforHogg Itis hardtotellwhenexactlythisplay waswrittenorwhoitsaudience was Perhaps,unlikeGreatMarket War,itwasnotintendedas propagandatheatreandGhosh, intentonwritingacomedypicked theNewMarketconflictashis subject,ormaybeitwaswrittenata juncturewhenHoggseemedtobe fightingalosingbattle.Afterall,the allegationsagainstHoggofmisuse ofpublicfundsandofarm-twisting wereseeminglyquitevalid.

Whileresearchingtheguidedwalk, Istumbleduponsomething intriguingthaturgedmeto reconsidertheconvenientpostcolonialnarrativeIwasthinkingof weavingaroundthesetexts.Infront oftheNewMarket(facingLindsay Street),wespottedafaux-bronze bustofStuartHogg,“Founderof NewMarket.”Shopkeeperschange thegarlandaroundhisneckat regularintervalsandrefreshthetika onhisforehead.Atatimewhen thereissomuchdiscussionaround removalofcolonialstatues,one wonderswhattoreallymakeofa gesturelikethis Coulditbethatfor theworkers,whohaveconducted businessthereforgenerations,the market’sidentityistracedina continuouslinebacktoitsfounder, side-steppingtheissueofIndia’s freedomstruggle?Asalways, Kolkataposesmorequestionsthan answers.

Sujaan Mukherjee is the senior curator at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata Both his doctoral and post-doctoral research focus on urban history, although his interests are fairly eclectic. Sujaan moonlights as a translator and enjoys cycling in the less crowded parts of his hometown, Kolkata.

F B SOLVYNS, ‘HINDOO BAZAR’ FROM LES HINDOUS, VOL 3 (1811)

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | A BHF INITIATIVE

HOGG

THE SACRED CANVAS

Alpana:Bengal'sSacredArt

AuthorPoulamiBasu explorestheunderratedart ofAlpana,avitalyet understatedelementof DurgaPujatraditions.

By Poulami Basu Art Aficionado

Ifoneweretoreadahandbookon DurgaPujaitwouldprobably containadetailedaccountofits mythologicalorigin,holistic scripturesandamyriadofstoriesof itspractitioners Whatwould probablybeafootnoteordareIsay meritapassingmentionisthe humbleartoffingerpaintingthat wecallAlpana.Itsunderstated presenceisoftenoverlookedyetit issuchanintegralpartofour ritualisticpractice;itssignificance cannotandmoreimportantly shouldnotbeundermined

Thischerishedtraditionisa symbolichomagetoourbeloved deities Theageoldpatternsdepict flowers,birds,animalsandplants, thevariousaspectsofnaturethat symbolizesthecycleoflife Bengal wasprimarilyanagrariansociety andtheoriginofAlpanais undoubtablyagrestic Thusitisonly naturalthatthecoreingredients usedforthisartformwerethose thatwerereadilyavailableie rice orpaddy.Ricegrainsweresoaked andgroundtoafinepastecalled “pithuli” Hereinalsoliesthesource ofthedesignsdistinctivewhite colour.Conventionally,these paintingswerecreatedbydipping onesfingerintothepithuliandthen tracingthepattern.Butastime passed,thedesignsandthe techniquesbecamemoreelaborate andevolved.Nowadayscottonballs, piecesofclothorpaintbrushes havereplacedthefingerandthe ricepowderhasgivenplaceto acrylicorplasticpaint.Thedesigns havebeenrefinedyetthebasics remainthesame.

Alpanasareusuallysymmetricaland repetitiveinnature.Themotifsbear asilenttestimonytoitscreators’ imagination.Thewomenwho adornedthethresholdoftheir householdwiththeseintricate patternsindulgedtheirartistic fantasies Iwouldliketoimagine thatthesepaintingswerean expressionoftheirindomitable desireforsurvival,loveandpiety.

So,dearreaders,asyouspendyour daysduringPujavisitingthe mandapsandprayingtothe Goddess,besuretopayattentionto thewonderfulandsubtleartform oftheAlpanas.These embellishmentsstillforman integralpartofthefestivitiesand maintainanindeliblelinktoour pastandourheritage

Poulami Basu, a member of the Bengal Heritage Foundation, is an Art Aficionado and shares her deep understanding of Bengali heritage with others. She is more than a closet writer and not surprisingly, a voracious reader.

N B The beautiful alpona pictures are collected from the internet

CORBETT'S HERITAGEAND WILDLIFE

AuthorKamalBanerjeepens downhisexperienceatthe CorbettNationalParkand theheritagepropertiesof ForestRestHouses.

By Kamal Banerjee Heritage Researcher

“Here the rule is simple, If there is no electricity, sleep when the sun goes down and get up when it rises”- Sher Khan, Mahoot, Bijrani Zone

CorbettNationalParkisthefirst nationalparkoftheIndian subcontinent,establishedin1935 calledHaileyNationalPark.The meanderingRamganga,thestately salforests,thegrasslandteeming withwildlifeandthedensely woodedhillsgivethereserveits enchantingbeauty Corbettis situatedintheShivalik-Teraibiotic provinceabuttingtheHimalayas, whichhasresultedinthisgreat habitatdiversity.

JimCorbettlobbiedforthecreation ofanationalpark,throughhis writingsandbyusinghisinfluence

withthegovernment.After independence,thenamewas changedfromHaileyNationalPark toCorbettNationalParkin1955.

AvastnetworkofForestRest Houses(FRHs)weremadeduring theBritishperiodtomarktheirall roundpresenceinthearea A surprisingfeatureofmostFRHis theabsenceofanykindof communicationfacility Beforethe introductionoftheon-line reservationsystem,reservationslips wereforwardedbyhandfromthe nearestrangeoffice.StillTelevision andmobileareanabsoluteNO.

NightsarethebesttimeintheFRH, whenthejunglecomesaliveandthe skybringsdownthestars,withthe risingmoonatarm’slength.

Overtheyearssomechangeshave happened.MostFRHsnowhave solarlightsandhavesolarfencing forprotection “Heretheruleis simple,Ifthereisnoelectricity, sleepwhenthesungoesdownand getupwhenitrises”saidSher Khan,Mahoot,Bijranizone.Early morningsareverybeautifulwith sombresoundsofthenightbeing replacedbychirpingbirds.

DHIKALA FOREST REST HOUSE (FRH) AT JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK DURING SUNSET

SHARODIYA

HERITAGEFORESTREST HOUSES(FRH)INCORBETT TIGERRESERVE

Dhikalarenownedforitspanoramic landscape,islocatedattheedgeof thePatliDunvalley,alongthe RamgangawiththeKandaridgeasa backdrop.Theheritagebuildingof theoldFRH,builtin1889,isthe firstaccommodationtobe constructedinsidethereserve.The groundfloorwasusedastheDFO officeandthetopfloorfor accommodationoftheforest officers Ithastheunique distinctionofbeingthevenuefor thelaunchofthe"ProjectTiger". Thoughitwasthefirsttobe constructedinsidethepark,staff didnotliveheretill1963sinceit

wasinfestedwithmalaria. Subsequentlyafter1975,Dhikala wasformallyopenedand accommodationincreaseddueto boostintourism

Thecomplexitselfisacomplete entitywithrestaurants,jeepsafaris, amphitheatre,awellstocked library,andabeautifulwalking trackinsidethesafezonewhichis protectedbyelectricityatlow voltage.Earlier,aseasonalpost officewasavailabletoshare experiencefromtheparkwith letterssealedwithanimalpictures. Anexcellentallweatherviewpoint istheretoprovidepanoramicview oftheentireRamgangariverbed andtheChaurs.Ifluckpermits, withalmostnotroubleonecan viewthetigermovementfromthis

platform.

KhinanauliFRHwasbuiltin1974in themiddleoftheKhinanaulichaur andisconnectedbythesambar roadtoDhikala.Theverandah,in frontoftheFRH,providesa majesticviewoftheKhinanauli chaur,wheretigermaybeseen crossingtheroadtowardsthe Ramganga Thekilometreslong sylvancanopyoftreesisvisitors’ delight.Duringthemonthsoffalls, theroadtakesamysticlookwith thecarpetladenwithfallenleaves. ThisFRHisthemostexpensive FRHintheCorbettNationalPark circuit.ThisFRHwasprimarily madetoaccommodateVVIPsand headsofstatesincludingthe PresidentsofIndia.

A TYPICAL FOREST REST HOUSE ARCHITECT’S VIEW

BijraniFRH,builtin1928,islocated ninekmfromRamnagarReception Centreandcanbereachedfromthe AmdandagateofCorbettNational Park.Thereisalargenetworkof roadsbetweenBijraniandMalani; andtigersightingisverycommontill recenttimes Tillrecently,elephant ridewasaisoavailable.Theelevated platformisstillcarryingitsmajestic legacy.AdriveontheChitalroad, throughtheSemalChaurtoreach theFRH,isarewardingexperience forwildlifesighting.Awatchtower, locatedinsidetheFRH,isanideal placeforpanoramicviewandwildlife sightingjustoutsidethefencing This areaisalsopopularformedicinal plantsandbirddiversity.

Malani,locatedattheedgeofthe corezoneoftheCorbettNational Park,isalsoanotherFRHbuilt around1930.Itisalmostcloseto touchcenturymark.Locationwiseit isclosetoBijrani Drivingthrough theMachaanchaur,thestretchis exceedinglybeautiful.Visitorsmay sightdeer,bearornilgai,which oughttobethrilling.ThissmallFRH, namedaftertheMalanisot(stream), offersoneofthemostpicturesque surroundingsandcompletesolitude.

DhelaFRH,builtin1908,hasa sprawlingcampuswhichservesasa goodlocationfornaturecampsand trainingclasses.Butterflycampisa recentadditiontomakeitmore attractive Itislocatedinthebuffer

areaofCorbettNationalParkand addedintheyear1991 Nowitisa populardestinationfordaytripfrom Ramnagar.

JhirnaFRH,builtin1899,islocated onthesouthernboundaryofthe CorbettNationalParkandmaybe approachedfromtheKalagarhentry gate.Vegetationhereisdrierand mostlyshrubs Thenearbyterrain consistsofnumeroussotsand narrowgorges,runningthrough typicallyaShivaliklandscape. Interestingly,itwasafarmingareatill thevillages,neartheFRH,were relocatedin1994underProjectTiger. Nowitisalmostunbelievablethatthis road,throughthecorearea,wasa popularbusrouteconnecting Ramnagarfewyearsago Thearea hadvastecologicalrecoverysincethe rehabilitationofthevillages.

PhantoFRHcanbereachedboth fromPhantoorJaspur-PatrampurPhantoroad.ThePhatozoneisthe densestzoneintheCorbettNational Park.TheFRHwasbuiltin1912and severalwildanimalscanbesightedat night,nearthereservoir,justoutside theFRH.Phatoistherecentaddition intheCorbettTigerReserve.Itis nowapopulardestinationfornature loversandwildlifeenthusiasts There aregoodnumberofmigratorybirds visitingPhatoinwinters.

Soplanforyournexttrip

Kamal Banerjee is an independent heritage researcher and visiting faculty in Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark. His recent capacity building activities on ‘Unprotected built heritage of Bengal districts‘ have inspired many local people and enthusiasts to save and protect the fading built heritage of the districts.

FESTIVESPIRIT OR SPIRITOF SPORTS?

AuthorAmitSengupta highlightshowsportscanbe apowerfultoolforfostering connectionsbetween countriesandpromoting culturalexchange.

By Amit Sengupta British Deputy High Commission Kolkata

TheManchesterCityTrophyjust kissedthesoilofKolkata Itwasa soggyeveningwithbarelyacouple ofweeksawayfromthecity’s biggestfestival–DurgaPuja

Footballandfestival–itdoesbind BritainandBengal Afterall,both theseplaceshaveanunrelenting passionforfootballandfestival.

SportsDiplomacyisakeytoolweat theBritishHighCommissionin Indiausetodeepenconnections betweenourtwocountries. Football,cricket,rugby,hockey–ourofficeisworkingwith stakeholderstoincreaseawareness ofoursharedloveforsports.It’s alsogoodtoseetheHigh CommissionofIndiainLondon doingsportsoutreachwiththe diaspora.

Sportsalsogiveusasuitablehook topromotebusinessasusual relationshipsbetweenourtwo countries.Ourcollaborationwith GlobalWales,WalesinIndiaonthe ‘WeekofWales’campaignduring theFIHMen’sHockeyWorldCup 2023inBhubaneswar,Odishastole thelimelightinthePIEoneer AwardshostedinLondonunderthe ‘MarketingCampaignoftheYear’ category.Thecampaignwashighly commendedbythejury.

Thecampaignhelpedustofurther boosteducation,technology, innovationandbusinessbetween WalesandOdisha

TheIndo-BritishHeritageCupis onesuchexample Wehaveheld foureditionsofthisannualfixture sofar.Fortheuninitiated,it’s

playedbetweenacombinedteamof BritishDeputyHighCommission KolkataandBritishCouncilvsa combinedteamofBengalHeritage FoundationandIndo-Britsh Scholars’Association.Ithashelped usfurthercementourrelationship withthediasporaintheUKandalso useittopromoteentrepreneurship andbusinesstiesbetweenBritain andBengal

Wehavealsousedsportsto promoteinclusion.Duringthe England-India4thTestmatchin Ranchiin2024,wecollaborated withChildRightsandYou(CRY)to engagewiththeEnglandMen’s team.TheentireMen’steam encouragedyoungboysandgirls fromdisadvantagedcommunitiesin Ranchi.Wepersuadedthe JharkhandStateCricketAssociation

INDO-BRITISH HERITAGE CUP 2023 AT EDEN GARDENS, KOLKATA

SHARODIYA

DR ANDREW FLEMING, BRITISH

DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER TO KOLKATA, DURING THE ENGLANDPAKISTAN MATCH AT THE EDEN GARDENS, KOLKATA

toissuefreeticketsforthese childrengrouptowatchonedayof theTestmatch.Seeingtheir sportingiconsperformwiththeir owneyeswasadreamcometrue forthesechildren.Itwasamazing howsportsempoweryoung childrentorealisetheirown potentialandhelpencouragethem tofollowtheirdreams

Sportsisalsoawayoflifeformany ofusinouroffice Iamfortunateto havesomanysportsloving colleagues.Afewofthemplayin ourhomecricketteam(andhave playedinEdenGardensduringour Indo-BritishHeritageCup).Oneof usispassionateabouthockeyand

AMIT SENGUPTA

DURING THE INDO-BRITISH HERITAGE CUP 2023 AT THE EDEN GARDENS, KOLKATA

footballandisaregularfaceat variouscorporatetournaments. Thereareotherswhoplaysnooker andtabletennisinourBritishClub Someofthelessfitarestill passionatespectators.

OnthetopicoftheBritishClub,itis nowwearingasportinglook.The placeisalldeckeduptogiveaslice ofEnglishsportingculture.We haveafootball,rugby,F1and cricketcornerintheClubnow We alsocelebratedWimbledonwitha specialweekoffoodandactivityin theClub

AstheleadofourSports& Recreationcommittee,Iam

DR ANDREW FLEMING, AND THE ENGLAND MEN’S TEAM IN RANCHI ENGAGING WITH THE CHILDREN GROUP OF CRY workingwithcolleaguesto encouragesportsandembracing sportsasawayoflife.Itnotjust helpsinourwell-beingand resiliencebutstrengthensour bondingbetweencolleagues. DavidBeckhamhadoncesaid:“I don’thavetimeforhobbies.Atthe endoftheday,Itreatmyjobasa hobby It’ssomethingIlovedoing” Sportsbuildsresilience,increases communitycohesionandboosts motivationtopursueourpassion andprofession.Ibelieve,nomatter whichprofessionyouarein,you cancontinuetopursueyourpassion forsports.

Onthatnote,Iwishyoualla sportingfestiveseasonahead!

Amit Sengupta is Head of Press and Communications, British Deputy High Commission Kolkata.

PHOTOGRAPHER’S CORNER

SambritaDas

SupratimGuha

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | A BHF INITIATIVE

SudiptaMondal

AmitGuha

DEB

SubhamPal

KIDSAND GENNEXT

BHF KIDS

Hiaan (3 yrs)

Saanvi (3 yrs)

Riyanshi (7 yrs)

Evaanshi (6 yrs)

Ira (3 yrs)

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | A BHF INITIATIVE

Aurelia (7 yrs)

BHF KIDS

Sayuri (12 yrs)

BHF KIDS

Sun, Sand and Seagulls

As soon as I stepped on that Hawaiian beach, I was shocked. The water was crystal clear unlike the beaches in England and there were so many people. You could find so many colours of sand like red, white and black. There were also beach parks for families.

There were so many people at the beach. The coastline was perfect; I could see children running around, people reading and people sunbathing. In beaches in England, there would barely be any people. The water was always dark and grey, and it was always so cloudy. There are big differences between Hawaiian beaches and English ones. For example, you couldn’t find any space to sunbathe as there would always be seagulls chasing after you. You couldn’t even bring any food as the gulls would always smell it and watch you like a hawk.

The sand was the gentlest hue of gold. A chorus of sun-warm grains sang the melody of the beaches right into my core. There are seaweeds as deeply green as any high summer foliage. Of course, I can’t forget about the majestic sunset. The light changes dramatically as you can see a whole range of colours. They blew a horn as soon as the sun was about to set. The first note was blown when the sun touched the water The last note was blown as the sun disappeared.

As soon as the sun set, everyone started to leave until I and three others were left. There was no sign of anyone except the ones packing up and leaving. I stayed a little longer until I too decided to pack up and leave.

Anika (10 yrs)

BHF GEN NEXT

Samadrita (13 yrs) Tanishq (12 yrs)

Siya (15 yrs)

SHARODIYA PARBONI

BENGAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION

LONDON SHARADUTSAV

GRACEDBYDIGNITARIES

theUKinKolkata

NickLow,formerDeputyHighCommissionerof theUKinKolkata

Dasgupta

CULTURAL "EMBRACINGDIVERSITY:HARMONY,

TRADITION,ANDLEGACY"

TheBengalHeritageFoundation washonoredtobeinvitedbythe HighCommissionofIndiaLondon tocelebratethestatefoundation daysofWestBengalandTelangana Theeventwasaspecialoccasionto honortherichculturesand traditionsofbothstates,whichare knownfortheirdiverselanguages, music,dance,andcuisine.Bengal HeritageFoundationisproudto contributetopreservingheritage throughitswork.

TheBengalHeritageFoundation,in collaborationwiththeHigh CommissionofIndia,London, commemoratedthe163rdbirth anniversaryofNobellaureate RabindranathTagorewithavibrant celebrationofRabindraJayantiat TheNehruCentreinLondonon May9.Theevent,richincultural performances,wasattendedby prominentmembersofboththe IndianandBangladeshi communities,highlightingTagore’s enduringlegacyacrossnationaland culturalboundaries

SOASUniversityofLondon,in collaborationwiththeBengal HeritageFoundationandThe TagoreCentre,hostedanevent, titled"RabindranathTagore’s Vision:FreedomThroughSong, Poetry,andPainting."Theevent featuredmusicalperformancesand readingstoexploreTagore'sartistic expressionoffreedomthroughhis paintingsandpoetry.Theevent aimedtoconnectTagore'slegacy withtoday'saudienceandhighlight therelevanceofhishumanistic philosophyintoday'spolitics

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV |

STATE FOUNDATION DAY | LONDON | JUL 2024

RABINDRA JAYANTI | THE NEHRU CENTRE | MAY 2024

SOAS UNIVERSITY | LONDON JUN 2024

CULTURAL "EMBRACINGDIVERSITY:HARMONY,

TRADITION,ANDLEGACY"

TheDurgaPujacelebrationwasa vibrantaffair,filledwithadiverse arrayofculturalprograms Key highlightsincludedBengaliand Hindisongnights,wheretalented singerstookthestageandbelted outpopularBengaliandBollywood tunes.Theaudiencewascaptivated bytheirperformances,andthe atmospherewasfilledwithjoyand celebration.Thesongnightswerea testamenttotherichmusical heritageofBengalandIndia,and theyleftalastingimpressiononall whoattended

Anotherpopulareventwasthe dhaakdhunuchinaach,atraditional dancethatoriginatedinBengal Dancers,bothyoungandold, participatedinthisrhythmic performance,holdingclaypots filledwithburningincense.Asthe dancersmovedtothebeatofthe drums,thefragrantsmokerose intotheair,creatingamesmerizing spectacle.Thisbelovedtraditionhas beenbeautifullycarriedoutacross generations,symbolizingtherich culturalheritageofBengal.

ThequizprogramontheHeritage ofIndiaandBengalwas intellectuallystimulatingand challengedparticipantsto demonstratetheirknowledgeof Indianhistory,culture,and traditions.Thequizprogramwasa hitamongtheaudience. Inaddition,theantakshari competitionwasoneofthemost popularevents.Theatmosphere waselectricasteamscompeted againsteachother,theaudience cheeringthemonwithenthusiasm.

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA | LONDON SHARAD UTSAV

DHAAK DHUNUCHI | LONDON SHARAD UTSAV

QUIZ AND ANTAKSHARI | LONDON SHARAD UTSAV

COMMUNITY

"EMBRACINGDIVERSITY:HARMONY, TRADITION,ANDLEGACY"

Withlightscomingallthewayfrom Chandernagoreandamandap inspiredbytheterracottatemples ofBengal,LSUworshippeditsek chalarthakurasa“symbolof Bengal’srichmulticultural tapestry”.Whileakolabousnanin Thamescapturedthefusionof BengaliandBritishcultures,LSU retainedtheauthenticityofPujaby distributingfreebhogtwiceoneach ofthefourdays,arrangingfor anjali,culturalperformances,boron andorganisingsindurkhelaon Dashami

BHFMembersorganisedLokkhi Pujoinahomelyenvironment exclusiveformembers,followedby sumptuousdinner ThebestpartoftheeventwasBHF kidscreatingbeautifulAlpona(art styletraditionallyseeninBengaland otherpartsconsistingofmotifsand patternspaintedonfloorsandwalls withpaintsmadefromflour).At BHF,ourprimaryobjectiveisto ensureourheritagelivesthrough generations.Thebestgiftwecan giveourchildrenisourheritage.

TheBengalHeritageFoundation successfullyhostedaSaraswatiPuja celebration Theeventwasfilled withdevotion,cultural performancesbyyounger generations,andasenseof community.Thelargeparticipation frommembersaddedtothefestive atmosphere,fosteringasenseof togetherness.Thetraditional KhichuriBhogwasservedtoall attendees.TheblessingsofGoddess Saraswatiwereinvokedtoinspire everyoneontheirjourneysof knowledgeandcreativity

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | A BHF INITIATIVE

LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | LONDON | OCT 2023

LOKKHI PUJO | LONDON | OCT 2023

SARASWATI PUJO | LONDON | JAN 2024

BUSINESS

"EMPOWERINGENTERPRISE:INNOVATION, GROWTH,ANDOPPORTUNITY"

BENGAL HERITAGE DINNER | BRITISH CLUB | KOLKATA | DEC 2023

OurBengalHeritageDinner, in collaborationwiththeBritish DeputyHighCommission,British Council,andtheIndo-British Scholars’Association(IBSA),was anodetosuchUK-basedBengalis. HostedatTheBritishClub, apanel discussion“Buildinglivingbridges: ExploringIndia-UKconnection post-G20”showcasedIndia-UK relationsthroughcreativity,culture, andenvironmentalinitiatives.The eventhighlightedthestrong bilateraltiesandcelebratedtherich heritageofBengal

BUSINESS CONNECT | WESTMINSTER | LONDON | 2023-2024

Weweregraciouslyhostedbythe HighCommissionofIndiainthe DiwaliReceptionheldatCentral HallWestminster Theesteemed eventwashighlightedbythe presenceofDrS.Jaishankar, ExternalAffairsMinister,shedding lightonthenation'sachievements andtheroleofthediaspora.

TheBengalHeritageFoundation teamwithDr.AndrewFleming, BritishDeputyHighCommissioner toKolkatadiscussingongoing collaborationsatHouseofLords

BENGAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | KOLKATA | AUG 2024

TheBengalHeritageFoundation, withBritishDeputyHigh CommissionandBCC&i,honored DwarkanathTagore Tagorewasa 19th-centuryBengalientrepreneur Theeventdiscussedhis contributionstobusiness,IndoBritishtrade,andBengal'ssocioeconomiclandscape.Speakers highlightedhisprogressivevision.A culturalperformanceconcludedthe evening.BHFhasbeencelebrating Tagore'slegacysince2018and supportedabusinessdelegationto theUKinApril2024

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON

SPORTS

"CHAMPIONINGSPIRIT:UNITY,STRENGTH, ANDCOMMUNITYINSPORTS"

INDO BRITISH HERITAGE CUP

EDEN GARDENS | KOLKATA | DEC 2023

Inathrillingclashatthehistoric EdenGardens,the4theditionof theIndoBritishHeritageCup unfolded,pittingthereigning champions,'IndiaintheUK,'against theformidablechallengers,'UKin India.'ThesunlitdayinKolkata witnessedexceptionalcricketing prowessandsportsmanshipfrom bothteams,creatinganengaging culturalexchangethroughsports. BengalHeritageFoundation presentedcricketkitstopromising BengalU-19playersRahulPrasad andPriyanshuPatel

INDIAN SUPERFANS LEAGUE SLOUGH FC | LONDON JULY 2024

TheBengalHeritageFoundation successfullyhostedthe6thedition oftheISLUK Eightfanteams representingISLclubscompetedin theEnglishFA-accredited tournament,withFCGoawinning thechampionshipforthesecond consecutiveyear.Theeventalso featuredtheI-LeagueUK,withthe HighCommissionofIndiaLondon takinghomethechampionshiptitle. Thedaywasagreatsuccesswith 125playersparticipating,andan evenlargerturnoutnextyearis anticipated

DIASPORA BADMINTON LEAGUE | LONDON FEB 2024

TheBengalHeritageFoundation (BHF)hostedtheBHFBadminton Battle2024inLondon The tournamentfeaturedMen's, Women's,andKid'sDoubles A totalof58playersparticipated,with RiponandSuranjanwinningthe Men'sDouble,DebasriandIshita winningtheWomen'sDouble,and NirvaanandAnishwinningthe Kid'sDouble.Trophieswere awardedtowinnersandrunnersup,andeverychildreceiveda medal.Thetournament'ssuccess promisesanbiggereventnextyear

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | A BHF INITIATIVE

HERITAGE

"PRESERVINGLEGACY:EMBRACE, EDUCATE,ANDCELEBRATEHERITAGE"

DIGITISATION OF A COLLECTION OF RARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF TERRACOTTA MONUMENTS IN BENGAL

DrGeorgeMichellisa distinguishedarchitecturalhistorian whohasworkedonsitesinthe Deccan,Bengal,Gujarat,and SouthernIndia In1977,hetookon aprojecttoworkonphotographs andnotesfromDavid McCutchion'slifetimeoftraveland studyofthebrickmonumentsof Bengal.DrMichellspentthree yearstravellingacrossWestBengal andBangladeshandworkingwith variousscholarstoproduceThe BrickTemplesofBengal,aseminal bookonthearchitectureofBengal.

In2022,DrMichellkindlygiftedall hisphotographsofBengaltemples

toAmitGuha(amemberofBengal HeritageFoundation),whohas beenstudyinganddocumenting Bengal’sterracottamonuments since2005 Inordertomakethese photographspubliclyavailable,Amit obtainedfundingfromWikimedia andstartedaprojecttodigitiseand documentthem.Theprojectwasa collaborationbetweenCSSSC Kolkata,theBritishLibrary, Wikimedia,andBengalHeritage Foundation.

Thisdigitisationandmeta-data creationwascompletedinMay 2024andallthephotographsare nowpubliclyavailableviathe

CSSSCwebsite.TheAmerican InstituteofIndianStudies(AIIS) hasinvitedDrMichelltoKolkatain December2024todeliveratalkon hisworkonDavid'sarchives As partofhisvisithewillalso inauguratethedigitalarchive Next yearweaimtoholdexhibitionsof selectedphotographsfromthe archiveinKolkataandLondon.In thefutureBHFalsohopestobe abletofacilitatethedigitisationof DavidMcCutchion’smuchlarger collectionofphotographsandfield notesintheV&A.

SHARODIYA

RAGHUNATH TEMPLE IN SALNAGAR, JESSORE, BANGLADESH

BASE FRIEZE, CHAR BANGLA TEMPLES, BARONAGAR, MURSHIDABAD

BASE PANEL ON A TEMPLE IN ANANDAPUR, MEDINIPUR

CHARITY

"KINDLINGHOPE:COMPASSION,CARE, ANDCOMMUNITYSUPPORT"

BengalHeritageFoundationis helpingrunthisentireprojectto provide primaryeducation, vocationaltraining,basichealthcare, andculturalactivitiesfor67 underprivilegedstudentsandfour teachersoverseeing classesI-V. TheprogramneedsoverINR5 Lakhsannuallytoprovide healthcare,textbooks,educational supplies,dressesandstipendsto supportstudents'educationfor free.

BengalHeritageFoundationhas beenspreadingsmilesduring Festivetimessincelasttwoyears Newclotheswerehandedoverto thestudentsduringDurgaPujo alongwithafeastof“Mangsho Bhaat”.Thesmilingfaceswerea testamenttothejoyandgratitude. Itisaheartwarmingreminderof thepowerofcommunityandthe importanceofsupportingthosein need.BHFteamdonatedINR40k tomaketheeventsuccessful.

BengalHeritageFoundation supportsdistributionofnewcotton sareesforDurgapujaamongthe underprivilegedwomenofMaitip, ofSundarbanarea.TeamBHF donatesoverINR1.5Lakhannually toprovidenewclothesto300 womenduringDurgaPuja. This initiativeisrunbyagroupof doctorsandaimstoupliftthelives ofunderprivilegedwomen.The sareesaredistributedto women, whomaynotbeabletoaffordnew clothingforthefestival

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV | A BHF INITIATIVE

VIKASHITA | SUNDARBANS | WEST BENGAL

BANCHBO SORBOJONIN| SUNDARBANS | WEST BENGAL

AMAR DURGA | SUNDARBANS | WEST BENGAL

CHARITY

"KINDLINGHOPE:COMPASSION,CARE, ANDCOMMUNITYSUPPORT"

MembersofBengalHeritage Foundationhasbeeninvolvedin variouscharitableactivitiesin London Membershave participatedintheLondonWinter Run2024,NightShineWalk, ThamesMoonlight10Walk,

WellnessWalk,LondonWinter Run,PushupChallengetosupport CancerResearchUK,theDiabetes UK,TeenageCancerCharityand othercharities. FriendsofSpring GroveSchooltosupportSpring GrovePrimarySchool.

MOVIES

"SHOWCASINGCINEMATICBRILLIANCE:

STORIES,STARS,ANDCULTURE"

TheLondonIndianFilmFestival closinggalaatRegentStreet Cinemawasaspectacularand memorableevent,highlightedby theEuropeanpremiereofSrijit Mukherji’sfilm‘Padatik’,biopicof oneofIndia’sgreatestdirectors, MrinalSen.Theeveningwasmade evenmorespecialasSrijitMukherji wasfelicitatedbyBengalHeritage FoundationattheLIFFclosinggala.

HostedattheiconicVue,Leicester Square,thescreeningof"Bayof Blood"wasacollaborativeinitiative bydirectorKrishnenduBoseand BengalHeritageFoundation The eventsoughttoshowcasethe enduringbondsofkinshipforged duringthewar,payingtributeto theextraordinarysacrificesmade bythecommonpeopleindefense oftheirlanguageandidentity.

BHFCineClubpresentedthe exclusiveinternationaltheatrical releaseofSumanGhosh’s KabuliwalaatReelCinemas BorehamwoodinMarchthisyear followedbyexclusivepremiereof SrijitMukherji's"OtiUttam"at CourthouseCinemasSohoinJuly. Londonersrejoicedboththeevents. SrijitMukherjigracedtheoccasion forOtiUttam.

SHARODIYA PARBONI

PADATIK | LONDON INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL | NOV 2023

BAY OF BLOOD | LEICESTER SQUARE | DEC 2023

KABULIWALA & OTI UTTAM | LONDON | 2024

MOVIES

BHFSUMMEROFCINEMAS

APARNASENRETROSPECTIVE

THE JAPANESE WIFE | THE NEHRU CENTRE | JULY 2024

PAROMITAR EKDIN | CINÉ LUMIÈRE | JULY 2024

36 CHOWRINGHEE LANE | CINÉ LUMIÈRE | JULY 2024

Thefirstofthethreemovies,“The JapaneseWife”,openedtoafully packedaudienceatTheNehru Centre,London.Followingthe screening,BngalHeritage FoundationorganisedaQ&A sessionwithnoneotherthanthe legendaryAparnaSenandKunal Basu,whosebooktheKiteshas inspiredthemovie.

Thescreeningof"ParomitarEkdin" wasthesecondmovieofthe AparnaSenRetrospective.Thefilm, directedbySenherself,isa poignantexplorationofawoman's journeythroughlife.Thescreening wasfollowedbyaQ&Asession withSrijitMukherjiandAparna Sen,whereshediscussedher experiencesasafilmmaker.

AspartoftheBHFSummerof BengaliCinema,whichfeatureda retrospectiveonAparnaSen,the BengalHeritageFoundation awardedaspecialrecognition awardtoKaranKapoorforhis contributiontothisfilmandIndian media.Attheevent,SrijitMukherji joinedKaranKapooronstagefor theawardpresentation.

SHARODIYA PARBONI 2024 - ANNUAL PUJA MAGAZINE OF LONDON SHARAD UTSAV

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