The drudgeries of life
Friday, December 03, 2010
The New Calcutta
With all the hoopla surrounding the advent of the new age and modernization, it's probably easy to ignore its naysayers. Sometimes I feel that the latter do have a valid point.
While not being an opponent of modernization per se, I hate the prospect of it ruining the heritage and history of a place.
Take Calcutta for instance.
Three days ago, when I disembarked at Howrah Station after 5 long years, with lots of luggage in tow, all I wanted to do was roam around the beautiful city of Cal on foot (baggages and burdens be damned!); revisit the places that my parents, my sister and I had been to almost every single December in the past decade, and relive memories; last but not the least, make a serious attempt to capture in pixels Cal's undefinable beauty, mysterious charm, the constant hubbub yet the ironical calm!
And walk I did...
There she is!
The sight which awaits you once you step outside Howrah Station...
Howrah Station
That very rooftop by the clock tower where, while waiting for our train, Dada used to take us for a night view of Howrah Bridge!
Competition for Delhi Metro's Yellow line!
Hanging bridge!
That's Howrah Bridge for you...
This gigantic structure has had me mesmerized, since 1986 :)
Howrah Railway Station, as seen from the other end of Hooghly
(Pic clicked with the permission of a local cop... seems photography on the Howrah Bridge is prohibited!)
Colors galore
And you wondered what the rail tracks in the middle of the road were for? :)
Never seen such active traffic cops...
And they were all yellow!!
Five years ago, when I last visited the place, I remember having witnessed the emergence of malls, and a few branded shops at the ancient (to me, at least!) New Market. At that point of time, I thought nothing of it save for the fact that they were measly eyesores that would not last long...
This time round, it was simply impossible to ignore the way gaudily colored hoardings were eerily masquerading atop the once beautiful colonial buildings, how superficial malls were breaching the privacy of traditional markets, how swept up open parking spaces gave an artificial look to the once crowded yet somewhat charming surroundings.
Probably having grown up side-by-side with the advancement of modernization, the gradual changes in the surroundings didn't affect me much earlier.
But what I witnessed in Cal was contrast at it's best - a VLCC style before-and-after picture. And believe me, I didn't find it one bit rosy!
I dare say modernization if stretched beyond limits is like cancer... it slowly by slowly eats into the rich heritage of a place... it's akin to rape that violates modesty... damn! It's outrightly blasphemous.
A few years ago, all you could see from the this very spot was the "New Empire Cinema" board...
Today, you can't even spot that name in the mayhem!
Contrast!
Eyesores, anyone?
Simpark Mall encroaching on S. S. Hogg Market territory :(
Blimey! Just a few years ago, this was Hotel East End!
Phew! A surge of emotion. Apologies.
I belong to the old times?! Yep, I know :p
Thankfully Calcutta has still managed to retains it's old charm... How long will it last? Search me.
It was a pleasure walking and walking, then fetching a bus ride, resuming walking, then traveling via a Cal-style rickshaw, walking again, and finally settling for one of the ubiquitous yellow cabs!
From the Howrah Bridge to New Market, the colorful cluster of flower vendors under a bridge, the winding streets, the myriad of alleyways, the lazy trams, the sea of yellow cabs, the queue of poor people awaiting their turn to bathe under a road-side tap, the rickety bus, the lake in the belly of the city, famous skyscrapers (or at least the Indian versions of the lot!), street-side hawkers, a plethora of shops, Nauhoms and its yummy goodies (can't resist a *slurrrrpppp*, sorry :p), Nizam's, the cuppa tea served in a earthen cup, the one-of-a-kind rickshaw ride, Chowringhee Lane, Kyd Street, Hotel East End (now Sofia Continental :( ), Park Street, St. Thomas Church, Planet M, Flurys, and lots more.
That's when I had to take off for Salt Lake City. And I was glad that I had decided to travel in this state (straight off the train, minus a bath, with luggage in tow)... I knew I wasn't coming back with such little time at hand.
Early morning reflections seen in the pond in New Market's backyard.
Dilapidated buildings, nouveau high rises, greenery, rhythmic hum of traffic in the background, calmness, symmetry... quite a blend!
Two is a crow'd ;)
Destination: New Market!
Shuttered paradise!
The old New Market, as I've always referred to it.
Somewhere I belong... especially during Christmas time :D
Nauhom!
Underground labyrinth!
Still Elite :)
THE place to have rolls! *yummy*
"No Beef", mind you :|
Best breakfast I've had in ages! :D
Still there...
The world outside New Market
Time to head for Salt Lake City...
Contrast galore... be it in the architecture or the vehicles...
Somehow I missed the late night Delhi traffic!
Chessboard at the intersection?!
Ever-active market place...
It's 3 AM for Heaven's sake, but Sealdah is abuzz with activity!
What topped the list was meeting Shruthee at her college (W. B. National University Of Juridical Sciences) and spending a good time there! Played Sassywoody (her Guitar!), clicked pics, walked around her neat campus listening to her kahanis, had maggi and omelette-pav (her usual meal, I suppose :| ), shared gyaan with her! She sure loved my company... given that it was exam season, I was a better choice over law books!
Next up, meeting Raj at his huuuge research facility, discussing robots and robotics! Man oh man, I was impressed \m/
Next up, meeting Raj at his huuuge research facility, discussing robots and robotics! Man oh man, I was impressed \m/
Then came Ankur's Bachelor Party and the frenzy (:p)! I better not say much...
Next morning, accompanied A to some nostalgia-inducing places in Salt Lake City itself...
Phew! Managed to meet the big man Chirag too! Dhanya ho gaye hum, sirji :D
Met Parinita after 8 long years at Infinity Towers, Sector 5... awesome reunion! :) Nupur, I'm going to kill you for not being there! Grrrr
Then the last minute shopping... and meeting Sharma after 4 years!
Finally the loooong marriage ceremony that stretched into the wee hours of the next morning! And my relentless *click*, dance, *click*, munch, *click* till everyone called it quits... loved it all!
Before we knew it, Ankur had bitten the dust! :p
Loads of luck and best wishes for a wonderful life together, Kirti and Ankur :)
That was that!
Couldn't manage as much shopping on Esplanade as I would've liked. Time's such a scarce resource.
Back in Delhi now... for a while!
Back to the drudgeries of life... (pun intended, for a very stupid donkey)
Bon nuit!
Labels: Cal, Calcutta, Esplanade, Friends, Howrah Bridge, Howrah Station, Marriage, Modernization, New Market, Nostalgia, Park Street, Photography, Salt Lake City, St. Thomas Church, Taxis, Tram, Traveling
4 Comments:
hii
ur blog is nice..very nice shots :)
hii :)
thanks so much... but not as nice as your blog! started following it after reading your work on 55 word stories... good going!
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