I grew up in Kolkata.Rather still Calcutta to many of us.My memories of Kolkata has para cricket, picnics, and the pandal hopping during Pujo.
From having phuchka religiously every evening, to visiting the neighborhood temple.Childhood memories are wrapped in myriad sounds and tastes.
My home in South Kolkata has some of the most tree lined houses you will find in this city.With old and new houses jostling for space, this part of Kolkata still has its green lungs.
The lake nearby and the well-paved footpaths, made for pleasant evening strolls with friends We still heeded all the warnings about wandering too far and strangers but the neighborhood was safe.
Shopping for household necessities, the best fruits veggies or my favorite fish, Lake market was a stone throws away.
Lake market now has a mall, The Lake mall. It’s cool, swanky with its own multiplex and BigBazaar..But the grocery shops in the main market, the fish market, and the local shops have survived.Because they too have learned the art of selling from the big businesses.It’s a beautiful amalgam of the old and new making a social tapestry.
The Gariahat market is where I went with my sister, for buying all the goodies for sale just before Nabo Barsho(Bengali New Year). I remember the many times we walked back home chatting and licking an ice cream cone, as the line at the auto stand was too long !.
We thought we were strong enough to tackle a few roadside Romeos.
I remember the time we all went for the late night show at Priya. Then scared to walk back home at one at night.Our home is 10 minutes away from Priya, but one am is not safe for walking!
Luckily we survived our stupidity.
Summer holidays meant going to moms office near Newmarket.The highlight was mom took us shopping and restaurant hopping.Some of my best memories are full of window shopping activities.That’s when I knew I have a shopaholics heart.Not having extra money helped me learn to rein it in and save for things that really mattered.I now window shop online too!It’s one of the best way to lift up my mood.
Visits to Nahoums in Newmarket, Mamma Mia the gelato heaven at Ballygunge circular road.The Biriyani at Arsalan, Golbarir Kashamangsho, prawn cocktail at Mocambo, Chelo kabab at Peter Cat, breakfast at Flurys and picnics at Victoria! That’s the food map of Kolkata.
While in Calcutta Medical College we used to haunt the Coffee house, Paramount (delicious coco malai sarbot, a mix of milk, malai, cashews, ice, cocoa and God knows what .But it was lip smackingly delicious).Don’t ask about calories or nutrition facts though.Some things are beyond that.
The famous sweet shop Putiram had crisply fried karaishootir kachori (Puri stuffed with peas) and an array of Sandesh and fried sweets which made snacking as important as dissection classes.
Having daab(green coconut) from the kaku in front of the college or cooling down with an ice lolly all was part of days work.
The cityscape has changed.People are grappling with air and sound pollution .joblessness and increasing immigration problems.The education and healthcare system is being challenged by exploding population, lawlessness and violence every other day I left Kolkata in 2007 for Delhi.Then came back again.Left again.
Kolkata is where I became a doctor.
Kolkata is where I got married and my darling daughter was born.Kolkata is witness to many joys and heartbreaks.It’s still my city.Wherever I go my heart will always beat for this city of joy.
Now living with my hubby and baby in a small town, but a Kolkata girl at heart.Show me the phuchka and promise a good adda and I will forget everything else.
Writing this for Write over weekends by Blogadda.
I am Thankful for being a Kolkata girl forever.
Linking this post with #MondayMusings
Update .This post won two awards,
One: The WOW badge by Blogadda
Second: mocktailmommies celebration contest.Light Sunday: Winning post .
Sharing is good Karma!
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Thank you for sharing where you grew up with us at #BloggersPitStop. I’ve actually not heard of Kolkata so it was interesting to read about it.
Thanks Sue
Aw! What a beautiful piece of writing! Glad to know so many things about you! I’ve only seen Kolkata in Bollywood movies and the city looks full of life. Hope to visit someday and try that coco malai sarbot and Sandesh as it sounds divine!
Thanks Ana.
This is a lovely post of memories. 🙂 Enjoyed it thoroughly.
Thanks, Dr.Roshan
NO matter where we end up living, the places where we grew up will always hold a fond memory.
True
We can see how much you love Kolkata through this post. We all feel nostalgic remembering our childhood city and days spent there. Our childhood city is always special to us. Enjoyed reading about your favorite city and congrats for winning.
Thanks Deepa
Wow! I have yet to travel to Kolkatta and this posts makes me wish I would do it soonest. Your nostalgia and love for the city comes out so well in this post Amrita.
I have been to Kolkata when I was very small, guess 6-7 years old but I still remember the fun and joy we experienced with my uncle and aunt there. Life seemed so joyful and indeed it needs to be referred as city of joy.
Living in delhi and visit to CR park during Durga pooja gives a glimpse how colorful the city will be .
Thanks Chandresh
Thank you for this brief background of Kolkata and also for sharing a piece of your life. It sounds like a place very rich in meaning for you.
I have never been to Kolkata. This post really intrigues me to visit the place one day.
There seem to be so many great memorable moments in Kolkata. I never heard of that city, but your post makes me want to visit it someday. Best wishes!
I’ve never been to Kolkata but it sounds like a wonderful place to check out. I think I’d really like those markets.
Sounds like a special place for you! I really enjoyed this nostalgic post. Adding Kolkata to my travel list!
this is such a nostalgic post Am. we both have grown up in the same locality and never met i stay in Gariahat and miss every bit of Kolkata now that i had to shift outside
Thanks Tina
I visited Kolkata in May ’14 and fell in love with the city, surprising myself.
Your love for your city of childhood comes through in every word Amrita. I could almost see you doing all those things you described as I read through the post. Beautiful and emotional post.
Thanks Mayuri
I never visited Kolkata but have many colleagues who are from there. Would love to visit someday after hearing so much and reading this post which brings the city alive. Congrats on the blogadda win
Thank you so much Akshata
Wow.you have so many memories…Awesome post.
UK
http://fashionablefoodz.com
Places we grew up in always hold special memories for us don’t they? Wonderfully written 🙂
I’ve only visited Kolkata twice. Both on stopovers. Didn’t get time to go out of the airport area. 🙂
But you’ve written the post so beautifully, it makes me want to visit there again, but on a proper vacation (but not in April). 😉
Thanks, Vinay.Definitely not in April.December is good!
Haven’t been to Kolkata but your post makes me want to, esp for the puchkas and rasogollas!
You must visit.
Thanks for this detailed insight into the city Amrita. Some new delicacies to learn about.
I worked in Kolkata and have been there a couple of times after. The street food… Lanes and lanes of shops… The rosgullas… Uff I love it. It’s a lively city and people are really nice… although I wish it’s traffic wasn’t so bad. Loved how you reminisced those memories ????
Thanks Rajlakshmi