Reading a good book means opening a new road to allow some more light to your soul. All of us have different shades of our own, sometimes, it becomes impossible to identify the myriad hues as they mingle with each other producing a blank canvas- the mind. Every moment, new emotions and passions are etched on it, changing the pattern and process of thinking. The more we learn, the more we unlearn.
A city, like an individual, has a soul too. A soul throbbing with life and lust, flavour and fantasy, images and imagination, pathos and poesy. The city I belong to, my city, Calcutta/Kolkata. The lady, I used to think I know her, the aroma, the streets, the history, the nooks and corners, the whole nine yard so to say till I lay my hand on the book, SoulCity: Inside-stories from Calcutta, curated by Preeti Roychoudhury. Sixteen individuals have contributed, cascading their fondness for Calcutta from different perspectives through ebullient words and impressive photographs. Each story coincides at one point- that Calcutta is an inseparable part of their existence, whether they live here or not, the city lives in them, with them.
The book opens with a poetical prologue by Preeti herself. Like a true word-conjurer, she has set the stage, revealing the contents in a subtle way helping the readers to anticipate what is in store for them as the pages are turned. And, lo! As you turn the pages, one by one, the lady comes alive with all her exuberance.
None of the stories bears any title and, thus, they have become not only personal memoirs but a chord in the sequence of notes that has formed the symphony of Calcutta.
The first one, Brian Paul Bach’s account, unveils the lady’s different moods, the fun, the architecture, the heritage, the comfort and, the coherence. To quote Brian, “The bland has no place here”. The line has been deeply accentuated by Deepanjan Ghosh’s story, a perfect concoction of history and street foods of Calcutta. A delectable mouth-watering account with some food for thought, too. Sajani Mrinalini Dutta is able to discover Calcutta in small things around the world. The love never dies because, she says,“Calcutta can be anywhere, if I decide to allow myself to find her”.
I find resonance in Ahona Panda’s memoir, perhaps because I grew up in that part of the city she has written about, I had a dog who died an untimely death, my uncle lived in Midnapore, and, I love dogs.
Sammya Brata Mullick weaves a gossamer of thoughts, almost in a surreal way as he chases his own shadows (or dreams?) in the serpentine lanes of North Calcutta. His writing has made gully cricket so alive! Preeti portrays the lady in changing canvases of the day, the love and loss, triumphs and setbacks soaked in some “imperfect melody sung by Time” with an impalpable harmony existing somewhere.
Amava Bhattacharya has written a vibrant saga of the footpaths and hawkers. Truly, the pavements are impregnated with so many untold stories, of joy and grief, loneliness and solidarity. A very entertaining read by Nandini Banerjee would make you acquainted with another aspect of the city, the BERAL (yes, the feline flavour is there, but there’s more to it).
There are two contributions in Bengali, one by Amartya Saha and another by Rajib Dutta. Both the pieces are short, crisp, precise hitting where they are intended to. The sketch illustrations by Jit Mukherjee are meaningful with subtle nuances that bring out the character of the city or ‘bangaliaana’ to be precise. Pictorial contributions of Anamitra Ghosh, Soumyadeep Mukherjee, Farah Gherda, and Chandradeep Mallik have made the book a treat to the eyes.
The Calcutta Cartograph at the end of the book by Samit Roychoudhury provides an excellent food map of the city featuring some reputed and some not-so-well-known food joints. Indeed a treasure for the food aficionados.
This coffee-table book is a musical kaleidoscope, of myriad colours and vibrant tunes, of unknown hues and unheard music. A book that would make you pine for the city if you’ve visited it ever, if not, you’ll find your imagination running wild and your heart throbbing faster to have a glimpse of the city.
Calcutta is not only a city of bricks and stones. She is a living lady, her irresistible pulchritude, her agony and madness, her mundane melancholy- these are the inside stories, the Soul of the City.
One thing I would like to mention regarding the two contributions in Bengali, they should have a gist written in English for non-Bengali readers. It would have helped them to grasp the meaning correctly.
Recommended for all.
BUY LINK: FLIPKART
There was another session held last Sunday to promote this book where I could go through it in brief and I must say it looked fabulous. Oh yes she does have a soul, this city. Loved the review and will be getting the book pretty soon. Not only because some of my friends have contributed in it but also because it has some really beautiful stories and should be treasured by all of us Cal lovers. Way to go.
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Yes, I missed the Sunday session at Au Bon Pain due to some personal obligation. Glad to know you attened and enjoyed. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts about the review 🙂 Indeed, such books are a treasure to all who love the city… 🙂
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Never visited the City but heard a lot about the City’s greatness and heritage.. The Review truly brings back those memories, Maniparna.. Well Presented!
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Thank you, Sreedhar Sir. 🙂 …
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I don’t know much about the city of Kolkata and after reading your review, I think I should buy this one. I can feel the magical beauty of Kolkata through your review.
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Thanks, Krishna. I think you’ll love this book. This is not an usual tourist guide type, this reveals the soul of Kolkata, as the name says… 🙂
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sounds like a great book!
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It is, Sharmishtha… 🙂 Thank you…
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I will be seeking this one out, I find it interesting to try and get a feel for a person’s city as well as from their writing. I would love to learn more about your city and its unique vibrancy. It’s a great substitute before I can eventually go.
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True, a little inside knowledge about a city before visiting it, always makes it more vibrant. Every city has some characteristics of its own, which the conventional tourist guides fail to capture, most of the times… 🙂
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I tend to avoid tourist guides as much as possible,I like to know what the sites are but mainly so I can avoid them unless they fascinate me, it’s much more fun knowing a real city than the facade put on for the tourists.
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Bang on. That’s the wisest thing to do… 🙂
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Interesting book.
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It is…Thanks, Rajeshji… 🙂
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What a remarkable review, Maniparna! The first paragraph is eloquent, philosophical, and deep. I’m so moved….
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Thanks a lot, Amy…glad you liked it… 🙂
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“Reading a good book means opening a new road to allow some more light to your soul.”
Yes, yes!!!
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:-)…glad you agree…
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Enjoyed your review Maniparna!
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Thanks, Mary… 🙂
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Nice review Mani. Well written.
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Thanks…glad you liked it… 🙂
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great review Mani – sounds like a must-read…
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It is…thanks, dear… 🙂
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I so wanna read the book now. Your review made me do! Thanks for sharing dear.
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The pleasure is mine… 🙂 Thank you…
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Wow. what else to expect from an Ace reviewer. 🙂
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Aww..Thanks, UK… 😀
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‘ This city has a soul’ I truly agree with these words. Somewhere I feel I have a connection with the city & Bengali people. Though I have visited the place ever in my life. I would love to soon. The old world charm & richness of the place is so intriguing.
You have reviewed the book wonderfully, capturing the very essence of it. I am sure;y going to check it out during my next visit to India.
http://www.sweetsharing.com/
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That’s great. I’m really happy to know that the book and the review have made you think like visiting the city…:-) Thanks so much, Garima…
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It is so challenging to write about city like Kolkata and write what has not been already written.
I loved your review. Will look forward to read this book in near future.
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Thanks a lot… You’ll love the book.. 🙂
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wow! Lovely, so many essences one can get from the description,very profound.
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Thanks, dear… the credit goes to the book… and of course, to Calcutta, the city… 🙂
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Lovely, perceptive review, Maniparna. As a contributor to the book, your words are especially intriguing and enticing, as I haven’t even seen it yet! (It’s in the mail…). I’ve been visiting Calcutta since 1982, and witnessing its evolution through several eras has only increased its soulfulness for me. Out of these feelings, I was moved to write/photograph ‘Calcutta’s Edifice: The Buildings of a Great City’ (Rupa, 2006). And now, Preeti, such a polymath, has created a new wonder, based on love. I’m so honoured to be a part of it. Many thanks for spreading the word. PS: Last fall we lost our beloved hound of 12 years, Hugo, so sympathies are easily shared. Now we have Hudson, who is a wonderful successor. PPS: I wish I’d had the talent to learn Bengali, but alas, I do not…
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Thank you so much, Brian, for such encouraging words. Your story in the book so perfectly has set the foundation for what is in store and, the readers can easily connect to your words, even those who haven’t visited the city. Preeti has done a wonderful job, indeed. We all are thankful to her… 🙂
I know the pain of losing a pet 😦 I lost my Chikkus when I was in my college, still it’s difficult to accept that she is no more, a pug. I never dared to go for a successor…. 😦
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I almost want to read the book right now… Your review is awesome
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Thank you so much…you’ll love the book, I can vouch for that… 🙂
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A compelling review. I am sure will like the book which is about a vibrant and soulful city.
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Thanks, Vishal…:-) I wish someone would take the initiative to bring out the soul of Bombay, in a similar way… 🙂
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nice review! I think Calcutta would be a fun place to visit!
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It really is…and more so for a food enthusiastic like you… 🙂
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I am sure it would be amazing!
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🙂 …
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Oh yes!! Xx
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Anyone paying tribute to one of my fav cities, I have to read that anyhow..:)
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You will love it, Mayuri. I bet… 🙂
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Such an uplifting review of the city of Calcutta. Sounds like it’s a city bustling withe people day and night, undoubtedly bland as it seems. “The more we learn, the more we unlearn.” This phrase caught my eye and made me wonder. So true. The more we learn, the more our perceptions often change and we learn to feel lost towards what we discover, asking questions as we go along the way 🙂
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Thanks, Mabel. The book. I found it to be such a wonderful interpretation of the city, in words. 🙂
You are right, as we come to know of different things and theories, our outlook keeps on changing, questions begin to surface and re-surface, changing the face of truth, as we used to know it… 🙂
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I can smell Calcutta through your words. I would definitely pick this one, the pictures are beautiful!.
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Thanks a lot… let us know how you liked the book… 🙂
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Nice review Maniparna. Looks like the flavour and fervour of Kolkata has been wrapped in the book. I particularly liked the pictures,
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Thanks, Somali 🙂 The book has wonderful pictures, each one of them has brought out the soul of the city, literally and figuratively…
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Tell me something…so much has been written about Kolkata, people who live there love the city, but why then does it lag behind.?.You know what I mean.
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Yes, I know. The political consciousness or an overload of it, is one of the main reasons. The typical laid back mentality of the Bengalis (I mean Bengalis of Calcutta), too much ego and superiority complex and many other reasons are there. Ekhane na bolaai bhaalo. Aami aamar bangla blog-e likhechhilam ekbaar… 🙂
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Lekhar pore aamar o tai mone holo….:)
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Next time dyakha hole…we will discuss this… 😀 😀 A never-ending topic… 😛
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Never ending it is…and always remains inconclusive 😀
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😀 True that….
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Good review Maniparna.
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Thanks, Akhila… 🙂
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Lovely review. As you said, the cover is indeed amazing pulling you in to read the book.
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Thanks a lot, Lata… every picture of the book is amazing… 🙂
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finely reviewed! A reviewer can only write like this, when the book touches her soul deeply. I am intrigued to know more about calcutta and about the book. I shall keep the title in mind to be read when I finish the current books on hold:)
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You’ve touched the right chord, Maliny. The book definitely has touched my soul deeply 🙂
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I liked the way you give specific descriptions and entice us to read the book, Maniparna. ♡
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Thanks, Robin..it’s about my home city…so is very close to my heart… 🙂
P.S. Waiting for your “Thursday Doors” posts… 🙂
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Thank you, dear. ♡ I appreciate your being there, but would understand being busy with life, work and family. Hugs, Robin xo
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Thanks a lot, Robin, for understanding… 🙂 Was away for the weekend, enjoyed a short trip with family. I’ll check your blog soon… ❤ 🙂 I love the pictures and words you share… 🙂
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I’ve always had an attraction towards Kolkata and, some day I’ll visit it, in spite of my laziness. I loved the review and the opening of your post, where you mentioned that a city has a soul. I strongly believe in that. And, a city is sympathetic to only those, who have a matching nature, conforming to its soul.
Didn’t know that you are a dog lover! I had a rottweiler once, who broke my heart by dying two years ago. Since then I decided no pets, although they all come seeking me. 😀
https://theopalmoon.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/jackie/
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You’ll love the city, Rakesh, trust me. And, as I know now, I can show you around all the places (well, not all, some :-D) mentioned in the book..they are not to be found in the itinerary of a regular tourist, but definitely they reveal the true character of the city… 🙂
I love dogs and they love me… 😀
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Some day I’ll dare to get over my laziness, which I embraced when I quit biking. Then Kolkata will be the first city I’ll visit. I always was enchanted by the magical city. Amen!
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Amen to that… 🙂
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