'The Perfect Harbinger of Kolkata and it's people'
SDD BLOG RATING : 8/10
PAGES : 156
PUBLISHERS : ALEPH BOOK COMPANY
AUTHOR : INDRAJIT HAZRA
Hazra brilliantly uses satire in a form of a Travelogue to capture several aspects of the city of Kolkata. This is an extremely well researched book with depictions from famines, structures, festivals, squares, dilapidated grime covered huge buildings, cinema, Puja festival, sweets and its Portuguese's connection, kinds of Kali figures and temples.
It travels the length and breadth of the City along with a detailed description of the Tyrrany of the Left Front Government in it's late years, fall of the Buddhadev Government and the ultimately the Rise of Didi. The book also boasts of a chapter dedicated to the influx of Non-Bengalis (particularly Marwaris) to the City in search of Trade and Commerce. The differences between the Marwaris and Bengalis in all aspects of their livelihoods have been described with intricate details as well. The Naxalbari Movement also finds it's space in the book. The emergence of Intellectuals and the Student Rebellion adding up to the Naxalbari Movement is captured in it's best flair.
The contrasts described between the North and South of the city with the description of the Eateris at Partk Street are the most eluding part of the Book. Hazra however fails to capture the soul of the city - Football which boasts of intensive rivalries between the City's big clubs in East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan. Hazra also misses the emergence of Right Wing Politics in the City off late as well. The building of the country's first Metro is also skipped in the book.
Hazra uses an informal style of writing and one does not need to read the book in continuity as each chapter depicts different events and ideograms. Hazra has beautifully described the culture of the Kolkatans in an extremely unique, awe striking but simple way.
People missing the essence City and about to visit the City need to have a read of this book, just to feel the special vibe the City offers irrespective of it's shortcomings and problems.
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