What Makes Kolkata Special: The City of My Heart

I was born and grew up in Kolkata, and it is a city that I hold very dear. Despite the hate that it sometimes receives from people across India, my connection to it is strong and unbreakable. For me, it's more than just a place; it's a home that runs deep within my veins.

A City in Dreamland

I remember the night when I saw a dream, a dream that transported me to Kolkata. Binu, my companion, exclaimed, “Look!” as I saw the ‘borga kodi’ term transformed into something that flowed smoothly, like a snake moving through Kolkata's pulse.

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-Kobiguru Robindranath Thakur

We have been learning this poem from childhood, and it reminds us about the significance of Kolkata to our culture. I won't go into the traditional metrics such as air quality, ease of doing business, or women's safety. While Kolkata has struggled with these issues, it is much more than just a place to live—it's where my heart permanently resides.

Unique Characteristics of Kolkata

Kolkata is a city that gets a lot of hate from people across India, but also from those who once lived here or desire an escape from its embrace. Unlike most, my family and I have a deep connection to the city. My father, who is an aircraft engineer, had opportunities to work in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and even Qatar. Yet, after working for months, he returned to Kolkata. This decision, often considered mad, is testament to the city's enduring charm and the cultural pull it has over its inhabitants.

For my father, Kolkata was the first home for his ancestors when they left East Bengal during the partition. It was the first haven, albeit in turmoil, after the horrors of partition and religious persecution. Even in its unstable state during the partition and the Great Calcutta Killings, I found a personal connection to the city that has endured to this day.

The Sweetness of Kolkata

Kolkata is celebrated for its sweets, which are unique and experimental. As Bengal is synonymous with reform and change, this is also true of its sweets, which are diverse and more affordable. You can find these shops in every nook and corner of the city. When my friend from Noida came to visit Kolkata, he was envious of the wide variety of sweets that were available at such affordable prices.

Even the local Marwari community does not shy away from buying Bengali sweets, choosing them over brands like Haldiram's every day. Kolkata's sweets, such as rasgullas in different flavors, jamuns, and nolen gurer payas, are a year-long journey to discover. The Mullick sweets, since 1885, have been a significant part of this culinary heritage.

Joys of Kolkata

Compared to other cities, Kolkata is a joyous place, especially during grand festivals like Durga Puja and Kali Puja. The city hosts an annual book fair, the third largest in the world, after Frankfurt and London. Kolkata also celebrates the Hostoshilpo Mela, a unique festival that showcases traditional Bengali art and crafts.

I never missed a single one of these fairs. Alongside the grand festivals, we would indulge in kathi rolls, candy floss, or puchkas while my parents bought new books or local souvenirs. The memory of the vibrant Durga Puja remains etched in the hearts of Kolkatans, and the city is adorned with lights and decorations, officially recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. It would be a sin to go on a vacation during this time, as we never did.

Preserved Heritage

Kolkata still holds many elements of its past, such as trams, old British buildings in Central Kolkata, and the loudspeakers playing Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle songs. Even the disposable teacups made of clay are a nod to the city's rich history. Last but not least, I cherish my grandmother, who lives here, for her interpretations and inner meanings of complex Bengali poems like those by Rabindranath Tagore, Michael Madhusudan, and others.

These poems hold significant inner meanings, and she taught me the underlying message of the verse I mentioned earlier. Here is the full poem:

Translation: ‘Borga kodi mein Binu nahi’ Translator’s note: ‘Borga kodi’ is a term that Binu uses to describe something that flows or moves naturally, much like Kolkata described by Dr. Shibdas Banerjee.

While Kolkata may not be perfect, it is the city that defines me, my culture, and my heart. I will always love it, and I hope others can see it for the unique and enchanting place it truly is.