Close to our rented flat in South Kolkata’s Dhakuria, when Purna Das Baul came to build his house, there wasn’t much excitement in the air that would be suggestive of his fame. It was sometime in early 70s if memory serves me right. I used to pass by his house on way to school, and […]
Haradhan Roy’s Saddam connection
Winter is the time when the jatra festivals begin. Jatra, as you know, is a form of folk theater, which is very popular in Bengal’s countryside. Every year, jatra troupes from Kolkata fan out to far-flung areas staging high-pitched plays in temporary tent-like enclosures, and this happens until the beginning of Bengali new year that […]
Small screen’s misadventure
Guess what’s the new buzz around: All that glitters on small screen is gold. No it’s not anyone else’s saying, it’s mine, and I mean every word of it. Why, what’s the matter, you might ask. India’s young is caught on a strange yearning for glamorous life, and what can be the most ideal place […]
KANK on the loose
Next week, 2 holidays come together, 15th and 16th. My school-going son, who is a rare movie buff, ardently feels there is no better way to ‘celebrate’ the 2 days than seeing KANK. Seeing what, I’m perplexed. He smiles indulgently, declaring it’s Karan Johar’s latest blockbuster, Kabhie Albida Na Kehna, KANK in short. I withdraw […]
Multiplex vs single-screen
[First appeared on Saturday, December 10, 2005] After ‘Fame’ at Hiland Park, the latest to join multiplex bandwagon is the proposed ‘Hind Plaza’, which will be a makeover for the Hind Cinema, located at Ganesh Avenue – Nirmal Chandra Street junction. In fact, Hind Plaza will have 2-screens, each sitting 400 viewers, plus add-ons like […]
It cost Rs.462695 to build Howrah station
[First posted on Monday, November 21, 2005] A grand edifice on the banks of Hooghly, the Howrah station is but a poor cousin of Howrah Bridge that stands close by. Chronicles of Howrah bridge (a.k.a. Rabindra Setu) are many, quite a few of which have been made in to films. Howrah station isn’t that revered, […]