Kolkata Bites

Seventy three years ago, on August 15, 1947, India gained independence and became, with 650 million voters, the largest democracy in the world. But that did not happen without suffering.

An idea of ​​independence born with the century

In 1885 an Indian National Congress was established in Bombay. Its goal ? To help the viceroy of India to "determine the real desires of the people" and to maintain the pax britannica , the English hegemony seeming to represent the best for the country.

Autonomy of local powers, freedom of the press, everything seemed to orient the continent towards important reforms. From the 1900s and, no doubt, because of the clumsiness of the new Viceroy Lord Curzon, the Congress slipped from the idea of ​​reforms to that of autonomy of the country.

Between two wars

The First World War did not extinguish nationalist claims, quite the contrary, especially for Muslims who perceive themselves in the camp of the Turks, therefore Germans and enemies of England.

An India Act in 1919 gave India a Constitution, provincial governments and local representative assemblies (still distinguishing between Muslims and Hindus). It's still not enough.

In 1920, the Congress defined a "program of independence inside the Empire if possible, outside if necessary". Hindu lawyer Gandhi became at that time the undisputed leader of the independence movement. Advocating non-violence and the return to traditional Indian craftsmanship, he is arrested, but his word makes its way beyond the walls of English prisons.

The hopes fly away

Nehru became president of the Congress in 1929. Gandhi, released, had more and more audience. A compromise seemed possible with the British at the beginning of the 1930s, but the refusal of the Muslims of any democratic solution put it in check.

The talks only led to the awarding of a new constitution and status, making India a "federation of states". Protest of the Muslim League, which claimed in 1940 the creation of a purely Muslim state, Pakistan, in the north of the country.

The Second World War

The Congress was trying to use World War II as one more tool to achieve independence: support for the war against access to autonomy.

After incessant talks, England promised in 1942, in exchange for cooperation with the British war effort, a dominion status (like Australia or Canada) ... given after the war. This was a proposal rejected by both the Muslim League and the Congress, which blocks all deliveries to England.

Immediate postponement: all the leaders of the Congress were arrested the next day, 60 000 opponents in the six months which follow.

Towards a shared ... freedom

In 1945, the viceroy was responsible for achieving access to Indian autonomy. A provisional government is set up at the end of 1946, but the Muslim League, which claimed the participation of the country, refused to participate in it and triggers the Direct Action Day, a day that ends in Calcutta with horrible massacres of Hindus by the Muslims: 5,000 dead, 15,000 wounded. And the scene was reproduced in other cities, whole regions were found in a state close to the civil war.

Arrived in March 1947 in India, the new Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, considered it urgent to realize the autonomy of India in less than five months when he would come to build it in five years.

He would convince Gandhi and Nehru to accept the partition of the country and the creation of Pakistan. It was an English geographer and lawyer, Sir Radcliff, isolated in an office away from pressure, who would draw the boundaries separating the two new states, from the reports of the administrators on the composition (Muslim majority or not) of each village.

Birth of Independence in pain

August 15, 1947, independence was proclaimed, but not in peace. It started indeed an incredible cross-country of populations, the Hinduists of the north leaving Pakistan for India for fear of the Moslem massacres, the Muslims of India going up north for fear of the Hindu reprisals: ten to fifteen million people will seek refuge, one way or the other, on the other side of the new border, and the clashes en route will make more than 250 000 dead.

This bloody week was masterfully described in the book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, "This night freedom". A hard-won freedom. The movie "1947, Earth, by Deepa Mehta, (which is part of the trilogy of the elements), also tells very well all that.

Today we celebrate this painful journey into freedom as well as those great men and patriots across the country who has sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country.

6 Must Visit Paan (Betel) Shops In Kolkata

Kolkata and Paan (Betel) have this unique affinity. The feeling of having paan in Kolkata at one popular paan shop can’t be replicated in any way. All these shops provide a large variety of paans that includes the chocolate paan as well as ice cream paan.

So Let us find the Best Paan Shops for you:

Shivsankar Banarasi Paan Bhandar

Address: 210 Bidhan Sarani (Vivekananda Road crossing), Kolkata

Phone: 9830732267

Price: Rs. 10 – Rs. 250

Taj Mahal Paan Shop

Address: 6 A, S.N Banerjee Road, Kolkata

Phone: 8282874445

Price: Rs. 5 – Rs. 20

Shibuji

Address: 26 Shakespeare Sarani (Wood Street crossing), Kolkata

Phone: 9831666947

Price: Rs. 15 – Rs. 40

Chaurasiya Paan Shop

Address: Block BF-CF, Salt Lake, Sector 1, Kolkata

Phone: 9830604225

Price: Rs. 8 – Rs. 50

Kalpataru Bhandar

Address: 6/1 Bankim Chatterjee Street, Kolkata

Phone: 9831692078

Price: Rs. 5 – Rs. 1001

Sattala Paan Shop

Phone: 9831142202

10 Best Summer Food Options for the Kolkatans

Cosmopolitan and diverse, the food scene in Kolkata is something else. We study the top 10 places that demonstrate the distinctive culinary delights of Kolkata.

Oh! Calcutta

Elegantly decorated with exquisite decor, Oh! Calcutta is a great place to start your culinary journey in Bengal, as it serves as the basis for traditional Bengali cuisine. Among the favorites of the menu are smoked boneless hilsa and smoked bhekti, which is marinated with mustard paste and green chillies, then wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. Finish your meal with some of Kolkata’s famous sweets, including mishti doi, traditional Bengali sweetened yogurt. Alternatively, try homemade ice cream with a palm for the ladies, which is Oh! Fans of Kolkata admire their great taste.

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Mon - Sun:

12:30 - 15:30

Mon - Sun:

19:30 - 23:00

10/3 Elgin Road, Bhowanipore Kolkata, 700020, India

6 Ballygunge Place

6 Ballygunge Place there with Oh! Calcutta as one of the best places in Kolkata to go for a bite of authentic Bengali cuisine. Housed in a 100-year-old bungalow, decorated with photographs of old Kolkata, 6 Ballygunge Place is the perfect place for multi-day Bengali food. The main points of the menu are: Mangsho porridge, a traditional Bengali savoury mutton dish, and dyab-chinri, which are prawns cooked in mustard (a favourite among Bengalis) and cooked in a hollowed-out coconut.

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Mon - Sun:

12:00 - 15:30

Mon - Sun:

19:00 - 22:30

6 Ballygunge Place, Ballygunge, Ballygunge Kolkata, 700019, India

Kewpie's Kitchen

With an atmosphere similar to that of a traditional Bengali home, Kewpie's Kitchen is a true family business led by chef Rahi Purnima Dasgupta. He seeks to prepare authentic, home-cooked Bengali cuisine in an eclectic, relaxed setting. Using recipes submitted by chef Rahi Meenakshi Dasgupta, Kewpie's Kitchen offers traditional Bengali dishes, including a tali-dish with Mickey dishes, which are served in terracotta pots. Although the service may be uneven, Kewpie's Kitchen remains an excellent restaurant to experience authentic Bengali food and culture.

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Mon - Sun:

12:30 - 15:30

Mon - Sun:

19:30 - 22:30

2 Elgin Lane, Sreepally, Bhowanipore Kolkata, 700020, India

Restaurant Arsalan

The Arsalan Restaurant, located in the informal dining area of ​​Kolkata, is notable for its authentic Mughlai cuisine. This type of cuisine comes from Persian cuisine served in the imperial kitchens of the Mughal Empire. Kalkats come to Arsalan — or order Arsalan for large gatherings — for their biians. For many locals, Arsalan is considered the best in Burma in Kolkata with variations such as mutton biryani, Hyderabadi biryani, chicken biryani and much more. Other favorite menus include chicken chaos Arsalan and its many kabab variants.

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Mon - Sun:

10:30 - 12:00

191 Park Street, Park Street, Kolkata, 700017, India

Kolkata Street Meals: Deckers Lane (James Hickey Sarani)

Kolkata is the king of street food in India, with kiosks selling all sorts of street snacks and dishes. Here traditional dishes are served, such as bunches (fried balls with tamarind dipping sauces), jhal muri (seasoned rice puffs with dal, peanuts, other ingredients and mustard oil) and singara (samosas). However, you can also find street ests, obtained from other regional and international cuisines. Now, lovers of Kolkata cuisine can find kata-rolls (kebab-rolls - like a burrito), chow-mein, biriani, dosa, lassi, chola-bhatura, kulcha-chan and much more in Kolkata's thriving food street. For the best street food in Kolkata, try lively Decking Lane (renamed James Hickey Sarani), BBD Bagh (formerly Dalhousie Square) or Camac Street (renamed Abanindranath Tagore Sarani).

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James Hickey Sarani, Onion-barracks Kolkata, 700069, India

Nahum and sons

At the beginning of 2013, the depleting Jewish community of Kolkata and many non-Jewish kolkats mourned the passage of David Elias Nachum, the longtime owner of the Nachum and Sons confectionery factory. The famous icon of Kolkata, the bakery was first created by Nahum Israel in 1902, an Iraqi Jew who immigrated from Baghdad. At the beginning of half a century, this lively city was home to 3,000 to 5,000 Jewish people, where they created their own schools, synagogues and newspapers and brought traditional Jewish products with them. Now only a handful of Jewish people are left - about 25 people. However, their influence is still evident in several Jewish bakeries of the city, who no longer love the candy “Nakhum and Sons”. The Jewish tradition of baking is conducted by Isaac, brother of David Nahum. Visitors to the New Market area of ​​the city can find stacks of cakes and rum balls, as well as a rich selection of cakes, cookies, pastries and fresh breads from the oven.

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Mon - Sun:

9:00 - 21:00

Taltala Kolkata, 700087, India

Nizam

King Katie Roll, Nizam claims that he is the inventor of the famous roll, who became one of the dishes in Kolkata. True comfort food, Nizam Katha is a fried paratha, fried with fried egg, spicy meat, onion and chilis, all of which are rolled up and served like a burrito. Such is the fame of the role of Katha Nizam, which famous chef Rick Stein called roll-roll "the perfect street food."

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Mon - Sun:

11:30 - 23:00

Taltala Kolkata, 700087, India

Flurys

Flurys - the legendary tea room of Kolkata, located on Park Street, which was founded under the British rajah in 1927. Led by chef Vikar Kumas, Fluris continues to exude the charm of the Old World with the generous spread of luxury cakes, indulgent pastries, rich puddings and special Pride Flurys, some of the best chocolates of the same origin outside of Europe. Thanks to its stylish and chic design for 90 years after its foundation, Flurys is the perfect place to catch up with traditional English cream tea or enjoy a refreshing break from the summer heat with iced coffee with ice cream. Flurys is also a place to go to Kolkata for a weekend weekend, offering your popular English breakfast every day.

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Mon - Sun:

7:30 - 22:00

Park Street, Kolkata, 700071, India

Bhim Chandra Nag

The true speciality of West Bengal is confectionery and desserts, many of which are made using sweetened chhena or condensed milk. From shôndesh (sandesh) to rôshogolla, Bengalis have a great love of sweets. Bhim Chandra Nag is one of the oldest and legendary sweet shops in Kolkata. Locals flock to Bhim Chandru Nag for their delicious sadesh, a confectionery product from West Bengal, from curly milk and various types of sugar.

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Mon - Sun:

8:00 - 22:00

5 Nirmal Chandra Street, Boubazar Kolkata, 700012, India

Ganguram sweets

This venerable store of sweet meat (mithai) was created in 1885 and serves both traditional Bengali sweets and innovative options based on old favourites. With a huge variety of sandy products, including mango and strawberries, dairy chamchu, rasmadhuri and keshariya rasmalay, Ganguram Sweets has created a loyal following among the kolkatan. Locals come here especially for their perfectly balanced mishti doi, which is often called the best in Kolkata.

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Mon - Sun:

8:30 - 20:30

The Rise of Tea Drinking Habit

At one time tea was just an example of urban middle class and high-level foodstuffs. It was part of their life-culture. Even before two or three years ago, there were two or four educated or aristocratic families in the village who used to drink tea, but it was considered as luxury or waste. There were tea shops in cities, railway stations, bus stands, market places like Hat-Bazar, Ganj etc., but the number was not so much like it now.

Different Stalls, Different People

There was a categorization of tea shoppers in Matsheshul Haat-Bazar, which was a specialization and cultural awareness. People were familiar with the discussion of tea shops, which was the logic and open minded touch. Contemporary subjects like politics, culture, development of the area etc. were discussed. In the local cities there was always a famous tea-stall, people used to run away from the distance, chatting with tea.

The Platform of Culture and Debate

The tea shoppers also treated the customers with tolerance even though they used to take awfully lot of time in this chit chat holding the tea cups. They were not interrupted. The presence of political and cultural activists in the occupation of tea shops was remarkable. The role of tea shops in leadership formation, strategy determination, artistic literature, etc., are truly undeniable.

The Political Movements and Coexistence

Annadashankar and His Writing

While highlighting the greatness of French culture in his travelogue 'Pathe Prabashe’ (Travel abroad'), renowned Bengali writer Annadasankar Roy expressed his great ambition with the tea stalls of the Bengali mass and the street chats surroundings it. He has written that there are numerous cafes spread throughout France, especially in the lanes of the capital, Paris. The cafe is a shop for tea or coffee. Sipping tea or coffee at a very cheap price can be used to pass hours. According to the author, the modern history of France has been built on these cafés.

Bengali Society Acclimatizing With Tea

The position of tea as a drink holds the number one place in the world. But the British-Indian Tea Board was forced to endeavour a lot in India to make the people get used to it. In the fifties of the last century, the practice of drinking tea among urban people was developed as a result of extensive campaign and marketing strategy.

Bengali tea culture is of not too long. The government and multinational companies did not try to popularize tea to the masses of Bengal. People did not agree to pay to drink tea. They were accustomed to lassi. Initially, the number of Bengalis trying out the tea was less in number. But at the beginning of the nineteenth century, tea was popularized as a major drinking option to the urban people. Especially increase of Bengali people in Calcutta tea shops was noticed.

Tea with Honor

South City

The Coffee House in Kolkata: Homeland of the Intellectuals

The famous song of Manna Dey “The meeting is no longer in the coffee shop, where the golden afternoon was lost” is no more today. The Indian Coffee House’s original name is Albert Hall. Albert is the Queen's Victorian husband On March 8, at the Indian Coffee House in Calcutta, it was just about 8 o’clock at night. If you take a look around the place, you will see tall pictures on the wall. From 9.00 am to 9.00 pm, all breakfast cereals, including coffee, sandwich, cold coffee, chicken fried, toast, egg omelette, are available at the place.

Those Days

From 4 to 5 rupees, everything is available. Then there is the buzz from the afternoon. Kolkata's book area is College Street. There are many bookstores from publication in here. The Coffee House, Indian Coffee House or Albert Hall is the oldest Bengali-Orthodontic corner located in the College Street area of north Kolkata.

The Two Coffee Houses

The Central Coffee House was opened in 1941-42 for Bengali coffee buffs by the Indian Coffee Board, and shortly after 1945, the Coffee House of College Street was started. By 1957-58, the coffee-house (Albert Hall) came out of the coverage of the Indian Coffee Board and came under labour tolerance.

The two coffee houses were the main mainstay of Bengali intellectuals of one time. In addition to crowding the students of the nearest schools and universities, it was also known for the regular dwelling place of the famous intellectuals - writers, singers, actors, film directors, politicians, businessmen and foreign tourists. The house has always been in this building because it is in front of the world's largest book market and new book market.

The Meeting Place for the Intellectuals

3 Bengali Food, Musts for Rainy Days

There is no end to eating Bengali food. With the change of season, changes are made in the mouth. Who does not want to eat special food after being rusted in the house on rainy days?  Now that Cyclone Fani spared Kolkata from its poisonous hood, this is our new feature rainy day Bengali meals for the food lovers.

Bhuna Khichuri

With clouds in the sky, many people hear the call in the belly for a special meal. This special food is called Bhuna Khichuri. Outside it is raining, and if anybody gives this food, then the food junkies do not have anything else to ask. Light gram with khichuri, a few pieces of meat, one onion, lemon and a little salad. That's right! Enjoy a little while sitting by the table to eat the khichdi.

Hilsa Bhaja (Fry)

Hilsha is a fish that is eaten at any time. Many people are not able to eat fish or they don’t want to eat fish. If they are asked, then you will say - do not eat fish, but Hilsa fish you can eat! It’s an exception! Fry it in hot oil. The rains create the noise outside Oops! I just want to eat myself. In this rainy season, the hilsa is just as good as fried nectar. But if someone kills with a roast then the taste will increase not less.

Chicken Fry

“Fani” Strikes Today

Cyclonic storm can come as a big trouble. By Friday afternoon there is a possibility of crossing Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has released 'Yellow Warning' in connection with Fani. The Meteorological Department has issued a cyclone alert for some parts of Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh and suggested to evacuate the coastal areas.

All the schools and colleges of Odisha are now closed to avoid the cyclonic storm. All schools are closed from 2nd May to next order. The date for all examinations has also been extended.

Alerts in Bengal and UP also

In Uttar Pradesh, there have been warnings regarding Fani Cyclone. Farmers have been told that there may be heavy rains on May 2 and 3. Farmers have also been advised to save crops.

It has been said in the warning issued by the Meteorological Department that due to the blowing of the cyclone in Bay of Bengal, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall and high eastern winds in Uttar Pradesh on 3 May. The speed of eastern winds will be around 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.

The Meteorological Department has said that with the help of farmers and store houses, moisture and high wind, take precautions to avoid damage to crops and make proper arrangements in the right place.

Fast moving fountain towards India

The weather department's alert department estimates that the influence of 'Fani' is towards south-west, west-central and south-east Bay of Bengal. It is located 760 km south-west of Puri in Odisha, 560 km south-east of Vishakhapatnam and 660 km northeast (Sri Lanka) from Trincomali.

Navy on high alert

According to an official of the Meteorological Department, the Fani Konkan has turned into a storm. Ships of Navy and Coast Guard have been kept on alert as Fani moves towards the Indian coast. Also, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed to the necessary places. Army and IAF troopers have also been prepared.

7 Food Items That Are Musts for Kolkatans

Spicy, tasty and sometimes even spicy! Indian cuisine has typical dishes and recipes that have always attracted the attention of the most curious gastronomes.

If you decide to go to an Indian restaurant and are confused and undecided about what to order, here is our little guide with 10 typical Indian foods, from appetizers to desserts, through unique dishes and meat main courses.

Samosa: spicy finger food

Samosa is an Indian appetizer also known as a street food as it is easy to eat with your hands. They are triangular or crescent-shaped maida bundles, flour dough but which are often offered also with fillo pasta or fried or baked with a spicy filling: the ingredients can vary and are mixed with mashed potatoes mixed with peas and onions, but also chicken or cheese.

Dosa and Masala dosa: spicy vegetarian crepes

Among the Indian recipes typical of Indian vegetarian cuisine, we recommend the combination Dosa and Masala Dosa. Dosa is a rice batter used to make special pancakes that have the consistency of crepes, perfect for breakfast, which is stuffed with Masala Dosa, a spicy potato, onion, curry, turmeric, coriander, rice and lentils.

Chole Bhature: bread to soak in chickpea sauce

Chole Bhature is an Indian food consisting of fried bread (bhatura) and chole masala (or chana masala), a dressing of chickpeas and spices. Chole Bhature is sometimes served during an Indian breakfast.

Kashmiri Aloo Dum: the spiced potato appetizer

An Indian dinner cannot be defined as such without tasting the Kashmiri Aloo Dum, a vegetarian dish based on potatoes (aloo) served with a sauce of yogurt, tomato, curry and a mix of spices. The Kashmiri Aloo Dum is part of the Indian appetizers of the traditional culinary culture of northern India but is prepared in different versions in the various regions of the country.

Chicken tikka masala: the international original curry chicken

Chicken tikka masala has arrived in the West known simply as curry chicken and is one of the most famous international Indian recipes. The chicken tikka masala is a chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, baked and served with Masala, a curry, cream and tomato-based sauce. It is usually accompanied by a portion of boiled basmati rice. There are so many variations of this popular dish so there's nothing better than tasting an authentic tikka masala chicken in India or an Indian restaurant.

Tandoori Chicken: Baked Indian Chicken

Pollo Tandoori is one of the typical dishes of Indian cuisine, very famous in the homeland but it is also popular in the cuisine of Southeast Asia. It consists of a chicken marinated in a yogurt and spice sauce called Tandoori Masala (among the ingredients: coriander, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne pepper, pepper, ginger, cloves and bay leaves). The chicken is then traditionally cooked in the clay ovens called Tandoor, hence the name.

Meetha Paan: stuffed palm leaves

5 Saree Styles You Can’t Miss

The word Saree is derived from the Prakrit word sattika, which means a strip of cloth. In India, cloth represents the creation of the universe. “Sutra” (thread) is the basis, “sutradhara” (weaver) - the creator or creator of the Universe. The earliest description of the Saree, known in the history of India, is the statue of a priest in the Indus Valley, dressed in a draped fabric.

Indian Saree - history and fashion

Since the IV century BC. er rules of dhoti and Saree are already being formed, elements of the distinction between men's and women's clothing appear.

The fabric used for sarees usually has an ornamental design with different colors, which varies depending on the caste and region of the country. Different types of draperies are used for making sarees, which reflect the woman’s age, status, profession and religion.

Here are the 5 modern styles of draping Saree, which will help you to make yourself in fashion in 2019.

Floating Drapery Style

The usual method of wearing a Saree, allowing it to flow freely after being thrown onto a shoulder, not only looks elegant, but is also one of the most preferred ways of draping, both for casual and for glamorous occasions.

Lehenga Saree Drape

With sarees getting more experimented with in recent times, it’s not a wonder. Even with lehengas ! Yep, you read it right.

Wearing a Saree over a lehenga can be very dramatic, not only because it gives your look all these charms and grace, but it also gives you volume.

Cape Drape

Capes are in the world of fashion at the moment. Whether it be tops or dresses, sarees or lehengas, a cape instantly uplifts any look.

And it doesn't even take much trouble to put on one. Just take a suitable cape and throw it on your shoulder as soon as you put your favorite Saree on. And voila, you are there to rule the world with all this swinging glory!

Dhoti Style Saree / Drape

Wearing your Saree with a pair of dhoti pants or draping a Saree in such a way that he himself creates an image that looks like a dhoti, the dhoti style is one of those classic styles worn by a Saree.

Royal Angrakha Drape

 Every Day is a Fuchka Day

Fuchka has its own taste. The Fuchka of Kolkata differs in taste from Panipuri or Golgappa of any other place in India. Now, get information about some of the shops in Kolkata, where you have a memorable experience of eating fuchka:

1. Vivekananda Park

This shop is famous for special juice made for the fuchka. The tamarind water is made from raw mango pieces and with sweet delicacies of lemon. The mixture of all these offers the taste of a lifetime. Apart from the common fuchkas, there are also egg fuchkas and churmurs, which are equally famous.

2. Russell Street Corner

Although the price for fuchka in this store is expensive, you should have had this fuchka at least once, it will be the taste for a long time in your mind.

3 Stalls Beside Victoria Memorial

These shops have a different genre. In one of the shops, peas are mixed with potatoes, and spices are tastier. Then the mixture is inserted into the fuchka insides. All in all, the item’s taste is not what it can be expressed in words. You have to taste it.

4. Chakrabaria (triangle park)

Along with the common street food items, the specialty of this shop is Jain Fuchka. These fuchkas are made of powdered bananas. The mixture is mixed with green chili and cumin powder. The fuchka is as tasty as it sounds.

5. Burra Bazar (Camak Street)

The secret of this fuchka taste is the exact mixture of different spices. These spices are made from fenugreek seeds, coriander leaves and many other spices. The makers know how tasty sweet potato and Fuchka pairing can be made with this spice, for them who has eaten here once.

6. Dinesh Fuchka (Paikpara)

A Visit to St. John Church

Completed in 1787, this Anglican church is an important monument of the British Raj. If you have the curiosity to push the door, you will discover the mausoleum of Jacob Charnock, the founder of Calcutta who died in 1693, and the obelisk commemorating the Black Hole.

Ray and Renaissance: The Undiscovered Side of The Film Maestro

Satyajit Ray is himself from a family of writers, friends of Tagore. His grandfather was a printer, translator, and children's writer, and his father, a great admirer of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, is the author of a work that shows the Bengali equivalent of Alice in Wonderland . Through his family and Tagore, Satyajit Ray is also the heir to an intellectual movement of the second half of the nineteenth century, known as the Bengali Renaissance. This movement, which advocated a fair cultural exchange between East and West, protested against the caste system in India, denouncing the religious dogmatism advocated by Hindu fundamentalists. It favored the emancipation of women (a central theme in Mahanagar and Charulata ) and was naturally associated with the great progressive movements that contributed, at the beginning of the century, to independence.

Ray and His Choice

Heir to the Bengali Renaissance, Ray chose the cinema to stand out from the path explored by his family. As a teenager, in Calcutta, he discovered classical American cinema in the theaters (Lubitsch, Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks), and it was at Santiniketan, the university founded by Tagore, that he began his career in the early 1940s.

Oriental art (Chinese painting and calligraphy). Upon his return, he worked as a cartoonist in an advertising agency, illustrated editions of children's classics and founded, in 1947, a film club with friends, turned to Soviet and American cinema.

The desire to truly make cinema, Ray felt it by meeting Jean Renoir, came in 1949 to make scouting then turn the River a few kilometers from Calcutta. Shortly after, the shock of neo-realism and the discovery of the Bicycle Thief put him on the path of Pather Panchali.

Discovering the New Paths of Cinema and the Subjects

The Cat and the Lane

Making of the Holi Thread...