Flavor of North Kolkata (Kumartuli)

Flavors of North Kolkata

Few years back I was returning to Kolkata from hostel at the time of Durgapuja, still I can remember Poorva Express reached at Howrah at the evening of Saptami(the first day of the Puja). Indian Railway proves its popular time efficiency once again & the Howrah station adjacent Central Avenue area was jammed like anything due to the pujo pandal hopping. I bet if it would have some other day, might I should have blamed Kolkata’s poor traffic and compare it with the silky New Delhi.

Well, but I did not. Because it was Durga Pujo. I was happy & I was amazed while seeing the endless flow of people with a haphazard manner. No one will like this crowded walk in any other day but still there was a smile in each of their faces because they were happy as I was.

Why I am writing all these because a typical thought came in my mind at that time .... It does not matter how far we Bengalis suffer from Political violence, non employment, slipping in life race, crazy inflation, Corrupted Government, still we can smile because we have Durga pujo. No one can imagine the importance of this festival in our life. This is the oxygen that never diluted no matter how much pollution occurs.

Why I was describing all of these because last Sunday I went to Kumartuli. This is the place where the Durapujo get cooked throughout the whole year to serve it into your plate for the rest of four days.

This is the area where the plotters live and sculpted the idol .

Kumartuli is in the northern part of the city adjacent to some old famous ghats(River bank) of Kolkata.

Entering the area you would be thrilled enough by seeing the sign of primitiveness at every corner where your eyes is able to reach. Huge residencies (Dalan Kotha), old streets , hand puller rikshas and lazy life style. It is a different flavour of Kolkata, slightly different from polished South Kolkata or happening Park street.

In kumartuli you will be able to watch the plotters working on the idol. They are least bothered while you are focussing your lens to them.

From kumartuli if you have a five minutes walk u will be reaching at Kumartuli ghat, the river bank. It is quiet and lonely.

For a change & for some fresh air you can have a sit there for long time without any disturbance. If you like to watch people as i do then it is the right place for you.

At the evening you will be rewarded with a beautiful sunset.