Kolkata The evolving city

and enthusiasm through the whole market.

Before going to Kolkata I had heard much about this historical city. The architecture, the food and the shopping dominated conversation. Looking at Kolkata city from the air I had high expectations of what the city had to offer. Landing at the airport I was underwhelmed. Travelling to Kolkata from Dhaka had accustomed me to the heat, the crowds and the general lack of space. And similarly to Dhaka all this was juxtaposed with the constant energetic chatter, the persistent call of street vendors and the static hum of Kolkata’s bright yellow taxis. Winding our way through the wide open roads left over from the British Raj, we managed to find our way into the veins of the city, the small winding streets which were teeming with people. Our hotel was situated close to “New Market” and wishing to waste no time at all I went to have a look. It was empty. I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of bustle and thought to myself that I could get some shopping done in peace. But that was not to be. One of the vendors informed me that Sunday afternoon was the only time in which “you can see the ground you are standing on”. And he was right. When I returned the next day, the place was alive with a throbbing crowd that pumped energy

Having had my first taste of shopping, I was content to walk idly through the streets and explore the small shops and narrow streets which contained so many lives, livelihoods and lifelines. Kolkata’s streets had once been wide and open, built as they were by the British who had kept in mind their own roads. As time went on, people built shops and houses, one in front of the other, until the roads became narrower and narrower. This has resulted in a “closeness” that is reminiscent of the alleys of Old Dhaka.

I progressed onto Park Street with a mission - Mission Sari. I had heard so much about the designer boutiques on Park Street and their wide range and endless variety but nothing had prepared me for the number of

At that point I truly understood why Kolkata had been chosen by the British as the capital. Regardless of how the architecture of the city had evolved, or how the city had fared in comparison with its sister cities, the people and produce of this city were truly unique. The people with their mix of Indian and Bengali culture were cheerful and welcoming hosts, eager to assist and always with a smile. The actual city itself was a host to the culture and history of an India that had evolved drastically in the past century. Kolkata managed to maintain a flavour of the past, a respect to its traditions as well as a step into the future. A tram ride and a walk around Victoria Park was the highlight of my final day in Kolkata. The elegant walkways and the lush greenery juxtaposed with the gridlines that place with a unique history. One that is being