 Kolkata
has long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage.
As the former capital of India, Kolkata was the birthplace of modern
Indian literary and artistic thought. Kolkatans tend to have a special
appreciation for art and literature; its tradition of welcoming new
talent has made it a city of great creative energy. Kolkata is the
most important cultural centre of India.
The city is also the birthplace of Indian nationalism and the efforts
of its citizens to preserve Indian culture and civilization have no
parallel in the rest of the country. The blending of Eastern and Western
cultural influences over the centuries has stimulated the creation
of numerous and diverse organizations that contribute to Kolkata's
cultural life. In addition to the three universities, these include
the Asiatic Society, the Bengal Literary Society (Bangiya Sahitya
Parishad), the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, the Academy
of Fine Arts, the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, and the Maha Bodhi
Society.
A characteristic feature of Kolkatan society is the neighbourhoods
having a strong sense of community. Typically, every locality has
its own community club with a clubroom and sessions are often a form
of freestyle intellectual conversation. The city has a tradition of
political graffiti depicting everything from outrageous slander to
witty banter and limericks, caricatures to propaganda.
The city also has a tradition of dramas in the form of jatra (a kind
of folk-theatre), theatres and Group Theatres. Its citizens exhibit
a great joie de vivre that is demonstrated in a penchant for art and
culture and a level of intellectual vitality and political awareness
unsurpassed in the rest of the country.
Food Habits
Key elements of Kolkata cuisine include rice and macher jhol (fish
curry), with rasgulla and mishti doi (sweet yoghurt) as dessert. Bengal's
vast repertoire of fish-based dishes includes various hilsa preparations
(a favourite among Bengalis). Street foods such as beguni (fried battered
eggplant slices), kati roll (flatbread roll with vegetable or chicken
stuffing), phuchka (deep fried crêpe with tamarind and lentil
sauce) and Chinese food from China Town in the eastern parts of the
city are quite popular.
Attire
Men usually prefer Western-style clothing and also traditional dhotis
and kurtas while women tend to prefer traditional saris. |
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