A year and a half back if someone would ask me how much I know about Calcutta- a city I profess my love for over all places openly, I would say most of it. But today, after my explorations and sojourns since last year I would say there’s lots more to be discovered and to know more than what meets the eyes. Calcutta is riddled with historical gems strewn all around and a bit of a walk in various parts of the city makes you realise that there is more to this city beyond its dirt and squalor, the patina of dust has to be scratched and then only this enigma called Calcutta reveals herself to the ones wanting to see the real her.
On 22nd October 2017 got an opportunity to explore the landmarks of Bengali literature around the Bidhan Sarani/ Jhamapukur belt organised as a part of APJ Bangla Sahitya Utsob (ABSU) 2017 in association with Oxford Bookstore. The heritage partner was Purono Kolkatar Golpo, a group of hard core Calcutta lovers and history enthusiasts keen to shoulder the responsibility of upholding the glorious history of Calcutta and restore its architectural heritage. The walk was mentored by Shri Gautam Basu Mallick, a journalist with Ei Samay, a true blue Calcuttan who knows this area like the back of his hand.
A sunny morning after days of incessant rain was all that we needed. A group picture in front of North City College done and off we went towards our first stop of the walk.