Park Street, Esplanade, Maidan, and Shakespeare Sarani – these formed the life of a random teenager in Kolkata back in the 90s. Seldom was there a need to venture beyond the confines of these neighbourhoods. Yet, it is just beyond, perhaps a trifle northwards, that one discovers there is more to Kolkata. Time flies, the teenager grows, travels and sees the world. Back home, he realizes that he knows more about the other cities he has been to in the past 10 years than he knows of his hometown. He could have read a book, but a book is only a gateway. The true beauty of a city has to be experienced in person. Such is Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta. Kolkata presents in its rich fabric of history, arts and culture, a myriad of options for the urban explorer. While the modern Kolkata is developing at a quick pace, the historic Calcutta perhaps has more arresting qualities. Be it an afternoon spent in Indian Museum or a morning walking the alleys of north Calcutta looking up the palatial of abodes of the once rich and famous of Calcutta, the city has much to offer to the student of history, architecture and photography. |
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Life in Calcutta presents a myriad of options for an urban explorer. While history will be the common thread, the point of view will be different. One could explore based on architecture, transport, historical acts, arts etc. A recent event in the city “Explore Calcutta” chalked out several such exploration routes for the enthusiast. The event was in memory of Jane Jacobs, known internationally as Jane’s Walk. One such route took explorers along the history of theatre in Calcutta. Starting with the Jorasanko Thakurbari and ending at the Shovabazar Rajbari, the walk presented the history of theatre in 19th century Kolkata.
The walk started from Jorasanko Thakurbari, just off Chitpur Road (nearest metro station: Girish Park). The erstwhile residence of Rabindranath Tagore, houses the Rabindra Bharati University and Museum. Theatre here started in 1869 and was mostly a private affair. The “Thakurdalan” has been the stage of many a landmark plays of Bengal Renaissance Era. |
Sumit Dey
Next door lad, scribbler, happy snapper. Archives
January 2014
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