An Encounter with KOLKATA
The Beatles number “I am only sleeping” remains my favorite as the great John Lennon must have thought about another great late riser (yours truly) while penning the song. But when I struggled to reach for my cacophonic cell phone which I consider a nuisance in my privacy at 4.45am, the scene must have been horrifying to say the least. Within 15 minutes, I and my techie friend were zooming off across the streets of Kolkata with Joe Satriani’s “Flying on a Blue Dream” giving us the perfect company. The passion of photography pushed my friend to embark on an adventure in order to capture the essence of morning Kolkata in his Nikon camera with that beautiful, brand new Sigma lens. As we sailed through the morning wind with the transformation from darkness to light slowly taking place, the city looked as calm as ever. Nature’s beauty was reflected in the perfect synchronization between the sun and the little child slowly waking up in one of the pavements.
Of all the monumental greats in Kolkata, Howrah Bridge stands apart. It pulled us to its very feet. As soon as we found ourselves in the ghat just under it, the world had changed for us. The excitement on my friend’s face as he prepared to set his camera asked me to leave him alone. But I was floating on a different planet. The gigantic creation of mankind was breathtaking. Watching it from such close quarters, it reflected the human spirit in its greatest and most brilliant form. My eyes had taken the photograph of its lifetime. I slowly descended down the slope to the edge of the river to get a feel of nature on my body. Standing there staring at eternity with the pure wind blowing across my face and the water rushing on to my feet in the process not even sparing my jeans, heaven had embraced me. But that particular place also had a different dimension. A flurry of activities made the atmosphere even more classical. Apart from the routine bath goers, with people half immersed in the holy water offering prayers, there were the bereaved sons offering their hair to their departed beloved. The middle aged man sitting in the quite corner was deep into meditation. I also woke up to the fact this ground can also be a host to the night sleep of so many people who haven’t still woke up to see the morning light. The gigantic architecture built by some Maharaja with it’s broad, curving pillars was the gateway. The biggest flower market in the city just beside it spelt a weave of magical essence in the air. A soothing morning raag coming from somewhere made the picture complete. I had seen 19th century Bengal!
In the meantime, my friend had captured the surroundings in his lens from all possible angles. His eyes emitted a look of satisfaction. I struggled to pull myself out of that place as an invisible hand was imploring me to stay there a little longer. Before the hangover left me, I found myself in front of the Kolkata High Court. British architecture was written all over it but the tricolor flying away on top of it reminded me of that famous line of Bob Dylan, “the answer my friend, is blowing in the wind”. There was serenity in the seat of justice.
We hit the Red Road and made our way into the lush green lawns of Victoria Memorial. The white structure was sparkling in the young rays of the sun. I stood in front of the monument and the quintessence of survival was there for my eyes. The fairy at the top was showing me the road to freedom. Taking a stroll along the concrete path, we were finally in the 21st century. The business community was all around and we admired their efforts to remain healthy. A little eavesdrop here and there told us all, from stock markets to the ordinary supplier. They live business. Within a few hours, this place would turn itself into a lovers’ paradise with emotions ruling the roost. Speeding away on the gorgeous AJC Bose Road flyover, the city showed its progressiveness. The journey ended with club kachori& special chai at a bustling outlet just beside the most sprawling shopping mall in the city.
The morning had given us all. Kolkata had shown its magnificence. It took us inside and we were on our own like two toddlers playing away on a vast canvas. Past is remembered, present celebrated and the future waiting to be greeted with open arms in the City of Joy. If professional pursuits take me away to far and distant lands in the future, my last days in this world will be in your lap, Kolkata. Promise.
(Thanks to Debasish Aich for inviting me on that journey. Hope he pursues his passion and keeps on taking such amazing photographs)
The Beatles number “I am only sleeping” remains my favorite as the great John Lennon must have thought about another great late riser (yours truly) while penning the song. But when I struggled to reach for my cacophonic cell phone which I consider a nuisance in my privacy at 4.45am, the scene must have been horrifying to say the least. Within 15 minutes, I and my techie friend were zooming off across the streets of Kolkata with Joe Satriani’s “Flying on a Blue Dream” giving us the perfect company. The passion of photography pushed my friend to embark on an adventure in order to capture the essence of morning Kolkata in his Nikon camera with that beautiful, brand new Sigma lens. As we sailed through the morning wind with the transformation from darkness to light slowly taking place, the city looked as calm as ever. Nature’s beauty was reflected in the perfect synchronization between the sun and the little child slowly waking up in one of the pavements.
Of all the monumental greats in Kolkata, Howrah Bridge stands apart. It pulled us to its very feet. As soon as we found ourselves in the ghat just under it, the world had changed for us. The excitement on my friend’s face as he prepared to set his camera asked me to leave him alone. But I was floating on a different planet. The gigantic creation of mankind was breathtaking. Watching it from such close quarters, it reflected the human spirit in its greatest and most brilliant form. My eyes had taken the photograph of its lifetime. I slowly descended down the slope to the edge of the river to get a feel of nature on my body. Standing there staring at eternity with the pure wind blowing across my face and the water rushing on to my feet in the process not even sparing my jeans, heaven had embraced me. But that particular place also had a different dimension. A flurry of activities made the atmosphere even more classical. Apart from the routine bath goers, with people half immersed in the holy water offering prayers, there were the bereaved sons offering their hair to their departed beloved. The middle aged man sitting in the quite corner was deep into meditation. I also woke up to the fact this ground can also be a host to the night sleep of so many people who haven’t still woke up to see the morning light. The gigantic architecture built by some Maharaja with it’s broad, curving pillars was the gateway. The biggest flower market in the city just beside it spelt a weave of magical essence in the air. A soothing morning raag coming from somewhere made the picture complete. I had seen 19th century Bengal!
In the meantime, my friend had captured the surroundings in his lens from all possible angles. His eyes emitted a look of satisfaction. I struggled to pull myself out of that place as an invisible hand was imploring me to stay there a little longer. Before the hangover left me, I found myself in front of the Kolkata High Court. British architecture was written all over it but the tricolor flying away on top of it reminded me of that famous line of Bob Dylan, “the answer my friend, is blowing in the wind”. There was serenity in the seat of justice.
We hit the Red Road and made our way into the lush green lawns of Victoria Memorial. The white structure was sparkling in the young rays of the sun. I stood in front of the monument and the quintessence of survival was there for my eyes. The fairy at the top was showing me the road to freedom. Taking a stroll along the concrete path, we were finally in the 21st century. The business community was all around and we admired their efforts to remain healthy. A little eavesdrop here and there told us all, from stock markets to the ordinary supplier. They live business. Within a few hours, this place would turn itself into a lovers’ paradise with emotions ruling the roost. Speeding away on the gorgeous AJC Bose Road flyover, the city showed its progressiveness. The journey ended with club kachori& special chai at a bustling outlet just beside the most sprawling shopping mall in the city.
The morning had given us all. Kolkata had shown its magnificence. It took us inside and we were on our own like two toddlers playing away on a vast canvas. Past is remembered, present celebrated and the future waiting to be greeted with open arms in the City of Joy. If professional pursuits take me away to far and distant lands in the future, my last days in this world will be in your lap, Kolkata. Promise.
(Thanks to Debasish Aich for inviting me on that journey. Hope he pursues his passion and keeps on taking such amazing photographs)
1 Comments:
hi there.....u r doin a gr8 job out there....it seems d writings hv flowed from ur pen....guess im speakin isitaz language....but all ur articles r so soulfully enriched and equally captivating.....hope u nevr lose dis quality of being able to relate to ur thots n emotions...all d best fr future articles......
Post a Comment
<< Home