Category: Bengali Culture & Lifestyle

Bengali Culture And Lifestyle is all about the culturescape of Bengal as well as Kolkata – the city with many heritage architectures, sites and lifestyle practices that have become icons over the years. Along with the colonial buildings, there are different heritage sites like century-old sweet shops and eateries, parks, theatres, serpentine lanes as well as unique lifestyle and cultural practices like Adda and music which have become synonymous with the characteristics of the Kolkatan Bengalis around the world.

In this section, we will write and introspect about this rich heritage which is instrumental in shaping our opinions and thought processes. Bengali Culture & Lifestyle section will share with you the history of the heritage places in Bengal, the personalities whose ideologies inspire us until today, our art and music, the books and films that touch our souls. And also some parenting tips and experiences.

Indian Independence And Role Of Bengal Souptima Basu
Bengali Culture & Lifestyle

Role played by Bengal in the Indian Independence Movement (Part 2) – The Struggle Begins

– Annoy Sarkar Continued From Part 1 The oppression by the Zamindars and the British compelled the poor peasants to retaliate. As a result, well before the revolt of 1857, revolutionary movements were witnessed in Bengal. Let’s have a look at them: The Sanyasi Revolution The company rule brought with it a general callousness on the part of the Company’s stooges. There were restrictions imposed … Continue reading Role played by Bengal in the Indian Independence Movement (Part 2) – The Struggle Begins

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Bengal And Indian Independence
Bengali Culture & Lifestyle, Bengali Lifestyle

Role played by Bengal in the Indian Independence Movement (Part 1) – Rise of British Paramountcy in Bengal

-Annoy Sarkar During the reign of the later Mughals, when its confederacy started crumbling, Bengal was one of the first provinces under its reign that started moving towards autonomy. Gradually in 1717, when  Murshid Kuli Khan was appointed the Governor of Bengal by Emperor Fahrukhshiyar, he was practically ruling Bengal independently. However, Bengal’s loyalty was undeterred towards the Emperor. Time passed by and British East … Continue reading Role played by Bengal in the Indian Independence Movement (Part 1) – Rise of British Paramountcy in Bengal

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Sketch of forest
Art & Music, Bengali Blog, Bengali Culture & Lifestyle

এক গাঁয়ে

– রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর ছবি সৌজন্যঃ সৌম্যালী বসু মল্লিক Guest Artist আমরা দুজন একটি গাঁয়ে থাকি সেই আমাদের একটিমাত্র সুখ, তাদের গাছে গায় যে দোয়েল পাখি তাহার গানে আমার নাচে বুক। তাহার দুটি পালন-করা ভেড়া চরে বেড়ায় মোদের বটমূলে, যদি ভাঙে আমার খেতের বেড়া কোলের ‘পরে নিই তাহারে তুলে।                                                          আমাদের এই গ্রামের নামটি খঞ্জনা,                                              আমাদের এই নদীর নাম অঞ্জনা, আমার নাম তো জানে গাঁয়ের পাঁচ জনে– আমাদের … Continue reading এক গাঁয়ে

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Art & Music, Bengali Culture & Lifestyle

Dashavatar Taash – The heritage Ganjifa Playing Cards of Bengal

How do you find a game of rummy or bridge? I guess it fascinates most of us. But what if I say that there were certain sets of playing cards where the pack contained more than 52 cards and are mostly circular in shape? Amazing, right? The cards which I will talk about in this post are a type of Ganjifa playing cards. Before that, … Continue reading Dashavatar Taash – The heritage Ganjifa Playing Cards of Bengal

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Bengali Culture & Lifestyle, Bengali Lifestyle

Makar Sankranti Delicacies of Bengal – Pithe Parbon

It is believed, according to common folklore, that the Sun starts moving northwards from the day of Makar Sankranti which is known as Uttarayan. During this time, Poush Parbon or Poush Sankranti is observed pan Bengal. Poush Sankranti signifies the end of the Bengali month of Poush as well as the harvesting time of paddy and date palms. The day is more famously known for … Continue reading Makar Sankranti Delicacies of Bengal – Pithe Parbon

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Christmas at Bow Barracks
Bengali Culture & Lifestyle, Places In & Around West Bengal

Christmas Celebrations at Bow Barracks forever reminds of the traditional British celebrations in Kolkata

Those of us who have studied in the Convent schools, Christmas celebrations means different to us. We feel Christmas isn’t about loud celebrations but toned down, more of being at home with our near and dear ones, with sharing food and season’s best wishes. And Bow Barracks forever upholds this soothing essence of Christmas! Away from the shining lights and blaring music from the loudspeakers … Continue reading Christmas Celebrations at Bow Barracks forever reminds of the traditional British celebrations in Kolkata

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Bengali Culture & Lifestyle, Parenting Tips And Talks

Sad Dad Syndrome – Postpartum Depression In the fathers

Postpartum depressions in mothers is now an accepted fact – not saying that society still deals with it absolute positivity. But, at least, new mothers belonging to the so-called educated community don’t feel shy or guilty because of postpartum depression. However, not much is discussed about the emotional aspects of a man who become a new father. Why so? The fathers are humans too! According … Continue reading Sad Dad Syndrome – Postpartum Depression In the fathers

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Bengali Culture & Lifestyle, Places In & Around West Bengal

Hatibagan – The Heritage Market Area which had a Cinema Para now lost in the sands of time.

Come the post monsoon season, the footfalls still increase in the entire stretch of Bidhan Sarani, erstwhile Cornwallis Street, in search of new saree designs or new dresses. Still now, in many Bengali households, Pujor Bajar start from and end in Hatibagan. Hatibagan still stands in testimony to the bygone time when people flocked in crowds to buy ‘Alpin to Elephant’ here after watching their … Continue reading Hatibagan – The Heritage Market Area which had a Cinema Para now lost in the sands of time.

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Featured Image_Deb Sahitya Kutir
Art & Music, Bengali Culture & Lifestyle

Deb Sahitya Kutir – The legendary Bengali publishers to get heritage status

As we turned the pages of the pink covered ‘Barnaparichay’ book during our quintessential Bengali alphabet learning sessions as children, did we know that many years later, one of the owners of the house which published the book will run from pillar to post in order to save the organization from the grasp of the land promoters? Deb Sahitya Kutir was and still is synonymous … Continue reading Deb Sahitya Kutir – The legendary Bengali publishers to get heritage status

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Durga Puja Kolkata
Bengali Culture & Lifestyle, Bengali Lifestyle

Unveiling Durga Puja in Kolkata

-Pooja Sahal Image Courtesy: Sumit Naskar With the commencement of Mahalaya, West Bengal starts bathing in the joy of Durga Puja which starts with Mahasaptami – exactly after seven days. (In 2020, the gap between Mahalaya and commencement of Durga Puja is longer than usual.) There can be immense joy and elation seen in all the individuals irrespective of their age. This is the most … Continue reading Unveiling Durga Puja in Kolkata

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