What first rings your mind and tickles your nose when you think about winter in Bengal? For us, it’s a plethora of feelings, which start as the annual Kalipujo time tiptoes in. The air gets heavily laden with the smell of the Chhatim or Saptaparni flowers. And, of course, there’s a nip in the air, so the cotton head scarves come out as a protectional … Continue reading Harbingers of Winter for the Bengalis (Winter in Bengal)
Many of us might recall from our childhood how our mothers, aunts and grandmothers would read aloud the Itu Pujo broto katha (mythological stories in Bengali on different rituals) of the two sisters Umno and Jhumno. And their ordeal after they were sent to a jungle by their angry father because they ate his share of Pitheys (rice cakes). To get back home, the two … Continue reading Itu Pujo, Nabanna and worshipping Sun – the goddess of fertility
After spending one night in the lap of nature at Jhilimili forest and an adventurous day in Mukutmonipur, our next destination was Joypur jungle & the famous terracotta temples of Bishnupur, Bankura. Joypur Forest The following day, i.e. on 17th December, we started for Joypur jungle. A sweet aroma punched me as we entered the magical forest area. No! Not the typical smell of the … Continue reading Joypur And Bishnupur Bankura-The Journey Continues
Though the ‘Make in India’ campaign happened to be initiated around eight years ago, its roots dig deep into the pre-independence era when a fire of passion for Swadeshi companies swept past entire India. Making and using Swadeshi products was thought to be the fitting reply to the British dominance where the Sun had never set. There can be long-drawn arguments on the exact impact … Continue reading Pre-independence Bengali Swadeshi Companies, still in business
With the overwhelming appreciation from our readers for the first part of Quick Tiffin Box recipes, we decided to come up with part 2 – The Instant Tiffin Box Recipes. We had asked for tiffin recipe suggestions from our readers and friends and they had showered with loads of them. So, unfortunately, we can’t share all, just a few selected ones that we felt were … Continue reading 6 More Instant Tiffin Box Recipes
For a day’s trip or as a picnic spot, Mukutmanipur in Bankura is well known among Bengalis. But today, one of us, will share our experience of Bankura tourism, which includes more than the known holiday spots. Being a Bankri (someone from the Bankura district of West Bengal), Bankura as a holiday destination always sounded quirky to me. Moreover, my son and I prefer the … Continue reading Bon Voyage – Jhilimili Forest And Mukutmanipur Bankura
From Sunday to Thursday, every night, most of the moms go to bed with the same thought – Which food to pack in the tiffin box tomorrow? The sole conditions are the food should be healthy, tasty, easy to consume, compact and can be prepared at the speed of lightning! Unfortunately, the two years of lockdown have put us out of the habit of preparing … Continue reading Quick Tiffin Box Recipes
A beautifully written article by Edaan Ghosh. It’ll encourage you to study more about this lesser-known Children’s Writer – Subhadra Sengupta. By the end of the article, you might end up adding some of her books to your Amazon cart. Subhadra Sengupta was an Indian writer based in Delhi. She was born in June 1959 and had a master’s degree in history. She was the … Continue reading Tribute to lesser-known Children’s Writer – Subhadra Sengupta
There are offbeat places offered by North Bengal Tourism where one can go to find some solace from the hurried life of the concrete jungles. You just simply need to explore such hidden treasures. Parna had been to one such place last year. She shares her experience here with us. In one of his books, Ruskin Bond says, “It is always the same with mountains. … Continue reading Burmaik – a rendezvous with tranquility in North Bengal Tourism
It’s not just about ghontos, chhechkis or chochhoris, Parna’s perfectly weaved article will take you on a ride to your memory lanes. Those distinct smells that wafted from our mothers’ and grandmothers’ kitchens, those aversion towards food until the dearth was felt..and so much more…. Come Indian summer and the winter beauties like carrots, cabbages, cauliflowers and beans go into annual hibernation. Instead, the Bengalis … Continue reading An ode to the Thore Chhechkis and Dnata chocchoris – Bengali Staple Dishes
