Calcutta, after all these years
Summary
Calcutta comes alive with Durga Puja preparations, from idol-makers in Kumartuli to rituals tied to sacred soil and old traditions linked to Sonagachi. The writer reflects on visits to the city since 1985 and an encounter with former president Dr Ram Baran Yadav, who was in the city for a medical conference.
Key Points
- The writer revisits Calcutta and reflects on decades of visits since 1985, including Durga Puja memories and photography trips.
- Former president Dr Ram Baran Yadav was in Calcutta for a medical conference and spent nearly two hours with the writer.
- The article highlights Kumartuli’s idol-makers, Durga Puja pandals, and the fading tradition of collecting sacred soil from Sonagachi.
- It also describes scenes along the Hooghly River and around landmarks such as the Howrah Bridge, Raj Bhawan, and Babu Ghat.
