Yes, ‘charming’ is the best adjective for this magnificent city in eastern India. I don’t think I can call any other big city in India as charming, except for the small hill-stations over the mountains. To a first-timer, the city may look overcrowded and chaotic, but it does have a method to its madness. From ‘Kalikata’ to ‘Calcutta’ and eventually to ‘Kolkata’, the city might have changed its name several times over centuries, but Kolkata’s rich culture has more or less remained the same. This article- ‘Kolkata : the best of oriental charm’ is about my feelings and experiences of the eternal city.
{If you are planning to visit Kolkata, here’s a guide for you: Kolkata: Best Places}
Kolkata, the ‘city of joy’
What makes people happy, really happy? If your answer is music, art, sports, food, festivals, or literature, you are perhaps talking about Kolkata. People in Kolkata love their books, football, theater, and rasagollas more than anything else. There’s no dull day in the city of joy.
{For more destinations from West Bengal, check out: Darjeeling (hill station) ||| Sundarbans National Park (mangrove forests)}
There is a slum in Kolkata (in Pilkhana- Howrah) which an outsider might find not even an hour worth spending, let alone living there, but its residents keep smiling as if there’s not a single worry in the world! And they call their slum ‘Anand Nagar’ or the ‘City of Joy’! This is where, in 1985, Dominique Lapierre, the French author set his novel- ‘City of Joy‘ (a fiction based on his experience of living in Kolkata). Later the book was made into a feature film by Ronald Joffe in 1992. This is how the city came to be known as the ‘city of joy’.
Kolkata's old world charm
Kolkata still remains an old-world charm where the old is comfortably placed, and the new is leisurely progressing. It’s the only metropolis where a hand-pulled rickshaw is still in vogue, people still ride their bicycles nonchalantly, and yellow old taxis roam the streets peacefully. Once a taxi driver told us that his taxi was 25 years old! Which other city allows this to happen?
In my childhood, I knew the city by the name ‘Kalikata’ in Odiya and ‘Calcutta’ in English, as the Britishers had named it. It was only very recently, it got its current name- ‘Kolkata’. I think the name was changed to restore its original Bengali pronunciation. If you are a Bengali, please let me know the real reason for the change.
Kolkata, the culture capital of India
Talking of cultural heritage, I would rate Kolkata right up there. My favorite cities in India from a cultural stand point are Jaipur, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Old Goa, Guwahati, Lucknow, Amritsar, and above all, Kolkata.
From literature to music, from theatre to festivals and from food to sports, nowhere it’s better than Kolkata. Let’s have look at the best of Kolkata as a cultural hub.
Literature and academics:
I haven’t seen a Bengali who doesn’t love books! A visit to the College Street in Kolkata will tell you how much Bengalis love their books! A Bengali friend of mine once told me that you will hardly find a Bengali who has not tried to write a poem in their lifetime!
Rabindranath Tagore, arguably the greatest poet from India, called Kolkata home. He is the only Nobel laureate from India for literature, and wrote India’s national anthem “Jana gana mana“. His contemporary, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote India’s national song “Vande mataram“. India’s only Nobel laureate for Economics- Amartya Sen is from Kolkata.
Durga Puja and other festivals:
Kolkata is very much a cosmopolitan city. This reflects in the various festivals it celebrates through the year. However, without a doubt, Durga Puja (a Hindu festival of worshipping goddess Durga) is the most popular festival in Kolkata. You need to be there to witness what it means to the Bengalis. All of Kolkata comes to life as if they were waiting for the festival every day of the year!
Gorgeous puja pandals, age old rituals, people in colourful dresses, women in their traditional white-red sarees, music & dance events and special food make the 10-day long celebrations larger than life. The tradition of Durga Puja is so rich that it now enjoys the status of UNESCO World heritage site (Intangible Cultural Heritage).
Among other important traditional festivals of Kolkata are Saraswati puja, Kali puja, Holi, Diwali, Christmas/ New Year and Eid. This February, when I was in Kolkata, it was a revelation to see the way people celebrate Saraswati puja.
However, it’s not only about the traditional festivals. Kolkata boasts of a number of modern festivals like the Kolkata Book Festival (Jan- Feb), Kolkata International Film Festival, and the Dover Lane Music Festival (classical music).
Dance, music, theater and films:
Even though I’m not a Bengali, during my entire childhood, I would wake up to Rabindra sangeet on the radio. My father was a big-time fan of the popular song genre. Rabindra Sadan remains the center of cultural activities in Kolkata.
Among the classical musicians, Pundit Ravi Shankar and Anand Shankar are household names. In the category of film songs, from Kishore Kumar to Arijit Singh, iconic singers from Kolkata have romanced India for long.
Kolkata has produced some of the best film makers- Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Shyam Benegal, Aparna Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Rituparno Ghosh, and the list goes on. Above all, the first Oscar winner from India, Satyajit Ray was from the city.
Sports:
While most of India is mad about one game- Cricket, Kolkata loves its football as well. Kolkata Derby- a match between arch rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan is nothing short of an extravaganza for the Kolkata people. However, Sourav Ganguly, the Cricketer still is the most famous sportsman to come out of the city. And the Eden Gardens was considered the mecca of Indian cricket for long.
Culinary Scene:
Bengali food is distinct and has a rich array; Bengali sweets (rasagolla, sandesh, ras malai, etc) are perhaps the most popular sweets across India. Being an Odiya, we share the same cultural heritage, and food is the biggest part of that common thread. I just love Bengali food.
The quintessential Bengali food includes rice-machher jhol (fish preparations), prawn malai curry, rolls, phuchka (Bengali version of paani puris), beguni bhaja (brinjal fry), biryani, moori-ghonto, jhaal-moori and radha ballabhi (kachori type puri-sabzi). Moreover, food is not expensive; you can eat well even if you have only Rs. 20!
People:
Above all, it’s the people themselves- educated, well read, and cultured. It’s amazing that everyone in Kolkata has a little bit of art in them, painting, sketching, writing, singing or dancing, at least something.
Average people of Kolkata are happy, joyous, and moreover, money is not the biggest thing that appeals to them! The simplicity and generosity of people is lovable. Once I asked a man to show me directions, and he walked with me all the way (almost a kilometer) to drop me there! No wonder Mother Teresa chose this city as her home and did much of her social/ community work.
Social life:
It’s quite common to find people engrossed in intellectual discussions around politics, sports, art & culture, theater & movies, books & authors. I particularly loved the typical Kolakata adda concept- informal groups discussing intelligent stuff (and not mundane) at tea stalls or street corners.
In the words of Sudipta, a dear friend from Kolkata: “People of Kolkata sustain on two things- adda and food. Even in all the hustle and bustle of the city, we have people of all ages sitting together and enjoying an adda. As we say, don’t worry Kolkata, amra tomar e Kolkata.”
In spite of a tumultuous history, all the different communities live in harmony with each other. People still live and value their small neighborhoods called para. Unlike other mega cities, people know each other well and stand by each other in their times of adversity.
My experiences of the city of joy over the years
I vividly remember my first visit to the city of joy as a young college graduate in 1996-97. It wasn’t quite a pleasant experience though. I alighted from the bus (from Cuttack) at Babughat bus stand in the wee hours of the morning, and took a taxi to a hotel near the park street, hardly 2 kms away. In the days without a google map, the taxi took me around more than 7-8 kms and charged a bomb. In the evening, when I was on a leisurely walk, in about 5-10 minutes, I came across the bus stand where I had alighted! That was a horrible feeling of being cheated!
I had a competitive exam to appear in, which I did. And then I was planning to stay a few more days to explore the city, but then next morning, I saw a small eruption on my chest area. On visiting a doctor, I got to know that it was the beginning of chicken pox on my body! Another horror. I had to rush back home the same evening.
Over the years, however, I have visited Kolkata over and over again. Each time, I have explored a bit more, and liked a bit more. However, only when I started visiting other cities across India, I started truly appreciating the essence of the city of joy. I would love to share my list of best places in Kolkata and my favorite experiences of the city so that it’s a bit helpful for your planning.
The best experiences in Kolkata not to miss
Before I wind up, let me share some suggestions on the quintessential experiences one must not miss while visiting Kolkata.
- Explore black town (Howrah bridge- Bara Bazaar area)- grey town (Bowbazar- Bara Bazaar area) – white town (area around Dalhousie square) to understand the historical setting of the city
- Boat ride in the Hooghly during sunset at Prinsep Ghat
- Visit the Mullick Ghat flower market, and have a good look at the Howrah Bridge from there
- Interacting with the artists at Kumartuli
- Late in the evening, take a stroll/ dine at Park Street
- If you love books, head to the College Street and buy a book of your choice
- Have high tea at Indian Coffee House and observe the Bengali adda
- Enjoy a leisurely (hand-pulled) rickshaw ride
- Take a ride in the iconic Kolkata tram.
Concluding Note
Kolkata may not be a seat of power like Delhi, or an economic power house like Mumbai, or modern like Bengaluru, but it’s in a league of its own. No other city can charm you like Kolkata does. If you have not been to Kolkata yet, I would strongly recommend you to try spending at least 4-5 days in the city of joy.
Kolkata will amaze you how people can lead a laid back lifestyle in a busy city! Nothing epitomizes Kolkata than the song by Anupam Roy- “shob pele noshto jeeban“, meaning life is a waste if you get everything!
Please share your views and experience of Kolkata, if you have already been there. If you are not already there, plan soon. Let me know if I can help.
Soumen Chatterjee
Well I would say it’s really fascinating to see well describtive details of Kolkata ” The City of Joy” where people are so friendly and cordial. You would enjoy more when u visit during the Durga Puja. Kolkata is really famous for Victoria Memorial, Birla Planatorium, Kolkata museum or the Famous Howrah Bridge. If u really want to enjoy the evening just go to Princip Ghat where you can go for an evening boat ride or a leisurely stroll in the gardens on the banks of River Hooghly.
The famous Jorasako Thakurbadi the birth place of Rabindranath Tagore . The two famous temples at Dakshineswar near the bank of river Ganga and Kalighat mandir is delightful to watch. One must visit Park Street during the Christmas and New Year , the place is beautifully decorated. The St Paul’s cathedral architecture is really awsome .
If you are a foody you are at the right place I hope you have tried authentic bengali Quisine at Bhuter Raja dilo bor and Kolkata biriyani at Arsenal . The famous coffee house at College streat is a great place to hangout. The market places are really awsome bara bazar is the biggest market in eastern India where almost all traders from all parts of the state comes to bara bazar for business.
How can one forget Nandan where every year international film festival is being organised and the famous Eden Garden.
Overall it’s really fascinating and awsome that you have covered.
stampedmoments
Yes, Kolkata is one of my favorite cities, mainly because of cultural reasons.
I haven’t visited Kolkata during Durga Puja though; maybe later this year!
Thanks a lot, Soumen.
Gaurav Majumdar
Suvendu you poured your heart to describe city of joy though I don’t belong to Calcutta but it seems that so much connection I have there. It’s wonderful to read your thoughts your feelings towards the city. Definitely so much to enjoy so much to learn from this place.
stampedmoments
Heyyy Gaurav! Thanks for writing a lovely feedback.
I somehow thought that you are from Kolkata!
And yes, Kolkata is close to my heart.
Jennifer
I found it interesting to read about your connection with Kolkata. And, the places and things to do there like the temples and architecture. I’d visit the Victoria Memorial too, cause the state where I live is named after her.
stampedmoments
Oh so nice to know your little connection to Kolkata, rather Victoria!
Yes, you will love the city.
Thanks for the feedback, Jennifer.
Jane Frith
A very comprehensive post! So much to see, do and enjoy in Kolkata. Will save this post in the hope I get to visit some time soon.
stampedmoments
Hello Jane!
Thanks a lot for reading the post, and sharing a lovely feedback.
Surely, I hope you visit India one day, and of course, Kolkata.
Shrikant Bansod
The way you passionately and sincerely describe the city in your eloquent writing truly showcases your deep connection and genuine affection. It’s clear that your love for Kolkata goes beyond empty statements, as your heartfelt words beautifully convey the essence of this remarkable place.
I spent a few days in Shantiniketan, but unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to explore Kolkata. However, I did have the opportunity to visit Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial. Your article beautifully captured the essence of Bengal’s vibrant culture, bringing back fond memories of my time there. Reading your words allowed me to revisit and relive those cultural experiences. It has reignited my desire to visit Kolkata in the future and delve deeper into its enchanting cultural tapestry.
thank you for this!!
stampedmoments
Hi Shrikant!
So nice to hear from you after long! Hope you are doing well.
Yes, Kolkata is very close to my heart as a city, especially its cultural vibrancy.
Thanks for reading it thoroughly and sharing your views.
Keep connected.
Amrita Mukherjee
My city is Kolkata and appreciate the way you have written about it. Yes, as you explore other cities of India you do realise why Kolkata will always be different.
stampedmoments
Oh yes, Kolkata is a unique city; body of a modern city with heart of a medieval city.
I just love it!
You live in a great city, enjoy!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Rahul
Kolkata really is a city full of charm and life. Even if it looks busy and crowded, there is a special beauty in its culture and history. From old names like Calcutta to Kolkata, the spirit of the city stays the same. People here enjoy simple joys like books, food, festivals, and football. It’s a place where tradition and happiness come together, making Kolkata truly the city of joy.
stampedmoments
Very well said! Thanks a lot, Rahul.
Kolkata is like no other city; it has a charm of its own.
I always love coming back to Kolkata.
Please keep in touch.