Introduction kolkatakolkata, formerly known asformerly known as calcuttacalcutta, is the capital of the, is the capital of the indianindian state ofstate of west bengalwest bengal kolkata was the commercialkolkata was the commercial capital ofcapital of east indiaeast. Kolkata is the capital and the hub of cultural, political and economic activities of west bengal. Victoria memorial hall represents an attempt to combine classical western influence with mughal. With the exception of the central areas where europeans formerly lived, the city has grown haphazardly. Ten reasons why kolkata is truly the city of joy city of joy for the people of the world, kolkata had been nicknamed as the city of joy after the infamous novel by dominique lappierre in1985. Short essay on kolkata worlds largest collection of. You want them hitech and full of draught beer, bangalores your place. An excellent book on a calcutta kolkata slum named ananda nagar. Lapierre does represent the povertystricken lives of the slum dwellers, but he also celebrates the power of their will to win. Monuments like the victoria memorial, tollygunge club, writers building form a part of the nostalgic remnants of the british raj. The recent debate in the hindu between manas ray and amit chaudhuri on the future of kolkata would have rekindled memories of its glorious past among the citys many admirers.
Maybe this is the reason it is called as the city of joy. Kolkata has the distinction of inventing the kathiroll and nizam is the best place to dig into these sumptuous rolls. May 21, 2016 heritage walks are a wonderful way of sensitizing youngsters to the tangible and intangible heritage of a city like kolkata. Kolkata is the capital of the indian state of west bengal. Apart from its historical significance, kolkata is also the largest city in the indian state of west bengal and one of the largest cities in the country.
Its an enigma, a vibrant city, an epitome of culture and creativity. Foreword in the city of joy lapierres novel which the author himself, in the foreword to the new millennium. Nov 03, 2012 if you want a clean city go to delhi, if you want a city full of rich and famous people go to mumbai, if you want a techsavvy city go to bangalore but if you want a city with a soul you cant look beyond any other city other than kolkata. In kolkata many freedom fighters and social reformers like raja rammohan roy, netaji subhas chandra bose, baghajatin and many others were born and brought up. However, to the insiders, kolkata is a great city of joy. Kolkata has been a fascinating place since time immemorial. Indias thirdlargest city is a daily festival of human existence, simultaneously noble and squalid, cultured and desperate, decidedly futuristic while splendid in decay. Waiting for my late evening flight to mumbai at the airport, i thought that there probably isnt any festival in any city in the world that can match kolkatas puja in intensity. Nature continued to wreak havoc again with reported death tolls of over 10,000 people in 1787, 1789, 1822, 1833, 1839, 1864, 1876, and later.
You really become involved in the lives of everyone. Recent population pressures have deprived the city of its choice of a. An early morning walk around the dalhousie square area in. It is one of indias largest cities and one of its major ports. Calcutta, kolkata, the city of joy this is a city known by many names and colored in as many hues. When the park street metro station opened, the area turned from what sailors once called a city of palaces into a place that everyone can visit. Like many indian cities, the former calcutta still lugs much of the baggage left by british colonialism as it modernizes, leading to wide disparities in quality of life. According to the 2011 indian census, it is the seventh most populous city in india. During partition back then bengal was divided into two parts, one was east bengal while the. Kolkata was the first city in india to have an intercity metro rail system. West bengal the state of bengalis in india is rich in art, food, and culture.
See more ideas about kolkata, city and india travel. Apart from its historical significance, kolkata is also the largest city in the indian state of. Introduction kolkatakolkata, formerly known asformerly known as calcuttacalcutta, is the capital of the, is the capital of the indianindian state ofstate of west bengalwest bengal. The most striking aspect of the layout of kolkata is its rectangular northsouth orientation. Kolkata the city of joy recent travel photographs from kolkata, west bengal, india. Kolkata breeds nostalgia, and once you are there, you never really leave the city. If you want a clean city go to delhi, if you want a city full of rich and famous people go to mumbai, if you want a techsavvy city go to bangalore but if you want a city with a soul you cant look beyond any other city other than kolkata. Kolkata started with a strong vision of a city level green cover with the maidan situated in the heart of the city. Jun 15, 2015 maybe this is the reason it is called as the city of joy. Jan 03, 2015 the kolkata book fair is the largest book fair in asia. Indian journalist vir sanghvi once said, you want your city clean and green, stick to delhi.
September 27, 2012 india write a comment 11,868 views getting lost in kolkata, the city of joy. Earlier known as calcutta, the city was founded in 1698 and served as the capital of british india till 1911 and then was shifted to delhi. Our farm has died, so we are moving to calcutta to become rich. By its old spelling, calcutta readily conjures images of human suffering to most westerners although thats. Kolkata formerly calcutta, city, capital of west bengal state, and former capital. The stagnation of the city of joy is all the more striking in comparison to other regions of kolkata. Apr 22, 2020 kolkata is one of the largest cities in india, but unlike the other large metropolis, this northeast indian city, capital of bengal, has an identity and character all its own.
Explore kolkata calcutta holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Beautiful bengal moist weather, fish curries, agarbatti aromas, sweet mishtisart, culture, history and dance all are in one land bengal. Characterized by the architectural gems, ancient colleges and temples and natural beauties, it is one of the main tourist attractions in india. Storms that shook the city of joy kolkata news times. This is because of the reason that almost every indian sweet that crosses your mind has its roots in kolkata. A priest goes to live among the poorest of the poor and this is the tale of how he adapted and what he learned. Back in 1985 rajeev ghandi famously called kolkata indias dying city. The erstwhile capital of british india, kolkata, is a beautiful collage of the english imperial culture and the traditional bengali way of life, interspersed with all the elements of a modern metropolis a visitor to kolkata typically reacts to it in one of these two ways indifference or intrigue. Kolkata tourism kolkata tourist places kolkata travel. No other city in india enjoys such visible contras, as does this city of joy.
Recent population pressures have deprived the city of its choice of a green cover. Download this app from microsoft store for windows 10, windows 8. This haphazard development is most noticeable in the fringe areas around the central core formed by the city of kolkata and the suburb of haora. While it may not be as urbanized as the cities of mumbai and delhi, it more than makes up for it in innumerable ways. I am enjoying seeing and feeling the city even though i cannot physically go there. It was an emotionally exhausting journey but well worth it. The city will embrace you and leave you with a bit of kolkata in your heart. Dalhousie square was the administrative center for british india. The capital of west bengal is kolkata, whos earlier name was calcutta.
But for every bengali and the inhabitants of kolkata, it has been thus for innumerable decades. City of joy picture essay of the day britannica blog. Calcutta is nicknamed the city of joy after this novel. Many people believe the city of joy refers to kolkata but in this book, the city of joy is. Kolkata also known as calcutta the capital of west bengal, is the 2 nd largest city of india after mumbai. I lived in both the cities in mumbai between 1997 2000 and in kolkata 20122017, so i guess i can answer this question. There are reasons why this place is called the city of joy. Jun 27, 2009 calcutta, kolkata, the city of joy this is a city known by many names and colored in as many hues. Kolkata is indias second largest city and is among one of the four metropolitan cities of india. You may not be physically present, but a part of you always stays back, in some alley in the city.
Almost a decade of communist naxalite rule, national isolationist economic policies and the relocation of many of the citys wellknown industries to delhi and mumbai had taken their toll. Kolkata city of joy heritage walk ilead production youtube. Kolkata is one of the largest cities in india, but unlike the other large metropolis, this northeast indian city, capital of bengal, has an identity and character all its own. Kolkata formerly calcutta is a very old city in india. Famously known as the city of joy, kolkata is, in every sense, the artistic, cultural and intellectual capital of the country. Monuments like the victoria memorial, tollygunge club, writers building form a. The erstwhile capital of british india, kolkata, is a beautiful collage of the english imperial culture and the traditional bengali way of life, interspersed with all the elements of a modern metropolis. Located on the east bank of the hooghly river, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and. But the city of joy is actually far more than a novel detailing the misery and the suffering of the slum dwellers in a metropolitan city like calcutta. Yohannvtdaily uploadswiki loves earth 2016 in india2016 june 14. Kolkata was the first city in india to have an inter city metro rail system. Right next door to nizam, aminia serves some of the best biryani in the city.
A critical study of the city of joy by dominique lapierre 56 lapierre, being a european himself, looks at and represents the city of calcutta in the city of joy. My city kolkata calcutta essay english school students. The city nicknamed the city of joy is widely regarded as the cultural capital of india and as of 2019, six nobel laureates have been associated with the city. There are also records suggesting that the rabindra sarobar metro is where 70 per cent of all people who committed suicide, jumped in front of a moving. You want your city rich and impersonal, go to bombay. Kolkata, as its often said, is not a city, it is an emotion. But other than kolkatas economical qualities, scenic beauty, and other attractions, it is necessary for one to know the other basic and important facts about the. A geographical analysis 15 kolkata metropolitan area is a sheer example of very highly dense compact city, with its immense urban problems, which has transform kolkata to be a city of nightmare to many outsiders. A pictorial tribute to the city of joy on its birthday. Almost a decade of communist naxalite rule, national isolationist economic policies and the relocation of many of the citys wellknown industries to.
Kolkata tourism 2020 india calcutta top places, travel guide. An early morning walk around the dalhousie square area in the heart of. Apr 10, 2014 kolkata has been regarded as one of the most important cities in india ever since the east india company set base in bengal, from where it began its trading operations. It is a very congested and expansive city, but the spirit of mumbai is indomitable. The city of joy is at the bottom of the list of wealthy places to live. Other than that, though few in number, a few parks have been established under the initiative of the municipal corporation. The ety has since undergone numerous transformations. Kolkata is popularly known as the cultural capital of india and the city of joy. Calcutta is nicknamed the city of joy after this novel, citation needed although the slum was based on an area in its twin city of howrah. To some travelers, kolkata also known as calcutta is a praiseworthy treasure trove of culture and worthwhile activities and sights that will be the source of many good. The sociocultural background of people is rich in dance, drama, f.
The city proves to be joyful for the ones who have decided to set up their business here, or have come to work in the city. The famous rasgulla or roshogolla as it is fondly know, is the most famous bengali sweet loved all over india. The city of joy kolkata, farnousey known as the city of joy is not just another metro city. But if you want a city with a soul, come to calcutta. In the city of joy, lapierre tells the stories of families and priests and others havent finished it yet and gives a truthful feel for calcutta with its sadness, its greatness, its smells and feels. Kolkata has been regarded as one of the most important cities in india ever since the east india company set base in bengal, from where it began its trading operations. Heritage walks are a wonderful way of sensitizing youngsters to the tangible and intangible heritage of a city like kolkata. Calcutta book fair in english, and officially antarjatik kolkata boimela or antarjatik kolkata pustakmela in romanized bengali, bengali. It stands proudly as one of the most loved city of india. Kolkata is situated on the bank of the river hooghly which has a subtropical climate and lies in eastern india. The rapid transport system commenced its operations in 1984, a feat for the entire country and the indian railways. Whenever theres a discussion about kolkata the city of joy, its common to find people unanimously breaking into avid descriptions of the rich cultural heritage that this city is gifted with. Eating kolkata can easily be named as the dessert city of india. The year 2002 was the next big one in living memory.
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