The unforeseen global pandemic of Covid-19 is an unprecedented situation with long term hard- hitting impact on life and living. The lockdowns, the fear, and the uncertainty are evoking different types of survival responses from different sections of people every day. Discussions abound on proper physical and emotional well-being, good governance, positivity and humane support towardsContinue reading “Coping through Culture”
Author Archives: Madhura Dutta
Touring Bengal
West Bengal, a state full of exotic natural wealth, is also home to immense cultural wealth in the form of built heritage, folk forms, handicrafts, festivals, theatre, and fine arts. However, traditional tourism has primarily focused on either natural destinations like hill stations, beaches, and the Sunderbans, or the built heritage in Bankura, Bishnupur, andContinue reading “Touring Bengal”
Travel Diary
Travelling to Europe in winter this year was a conscious choice. For me, the cold is sweetly nostalgic by virtue of my days in the US with Deepayan. Whenever I arrive at an international airport in peak winter, a strangely familiar smell soothes my mind. This time was no different. When we landed in Amsterdam onContinue reading “Travel Diary”
My Marwari lineage!
I am not a full Bengali by lineage. My mother, who was born and brought up in Kolkata, studied in a Bengali medium school and Presidency college, and became a professor in a renowned college in North Kolkata, was the daughter of a Parekh family hailing from Bikaner. Her pedigree is that of a MarwariContinue reading “My Marwari lineage!”
Offbeat Travels
Durga Puja has been traditionally a time of reuniting with family and friends, of going home (for those who stay away), of fun, frolic and happiness. For me though, it has become more of a nostalgic memory as the people and the customary glee I associate with Durga Puja have become lost in time. TheContinue reading “Offbeat Travels”
A trip to remember!
I have been visiting Benares for work since 2014, and unlike many others, the idea of going there for leisure was not particularly exciting for me. I used to work with handloom weavers staying in villages around Benaras, and visit our local office which was in the heart of the city. For my work visits,Continue reading “A trip to remember!”
Travel Diary
My work has often taken me to various parts of India and abroad, giving me the privilege of meeting many people of many different places and cultures. My recent visit to Mumbai and Pune, although not my first visit to either city, was an exciting one too, especially because of the short but sweet acquaintancesContinue reading “Travel Diary”
The Magic of Jagannath!
Lord Jagannath has always awed me, not as a God but as a brilliant work of art! I have often thought about the creator of the idols of Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balaram. I have saluted the genius mind which has brought alive this avatar of Narayan – the lines, the face, the figure, and theContinue reading “The Magic of Jagannath!”
Majantali – Our Cat
A colleague recently asked me, somewhat hesitantly, “Ma’m are you a cat person?” As I stared at her, she jumped to clarify, “I saw that your Gmail profile picture is a cat, that’s why I’m asking.” This time, I gave her an enthusiastic confirmation, before turning back to my work. Because regardless of rank orContinue reading “Majantali – Our Cat”
The Making of Me!
The elements that make one’s life wondrous are mostly installed in one’s childhood. All through my childhood I learned the subtle flavour of living from my father. He was an excellent storyteller. I hated fish and rice, the staple diet of a Bengali house, and every night the painful moments of gulping the rui machherContinue reading “The Making of Me!”
Sunny Side Up 