One of my closest friends got married this week. I was in Calcutta for her wedding. And I had a good time. No, infact, absolutely fabulous time.
I am trying to put my finger on the exact reason why it felt so good. I guess it was the company. 7-8 of my batchmates, quite a few seniors that I know and a few colleagues. It was the first wedding that I have attended in recent times, where I knew so many people personally.
Or the other reason could be that the wedding was such an intimate gathering of close family and friends in such a wonderful setting. A small house and garden on the banks of a pond/lake, a wooden bridge across a small waterbody - one of those which makes that woody-rickety sound when one walks on it. Not the old dilapidated sound, but one that evokes a slight tinge of nostalgia of the good times shared. The place was tastefully done up with flowers- bright, simple and elegant. There were only 50-60 people at the wedding, fully engaged in the proceedings. We sat around the mandap and watched and interacted, cracked jokes, poked fun and celebrated. The glorious winter calcutta sun joined the celebrations showering warmth and affection over the intimate gathering.
Continuing on the reasons bit, a simple gesture that felt really good was that everyone who came for the wedding from outstation was received by someone regardles s of the arrival time by train or air. I was received by one of my seniors and I in turn did couple of trips to receive some friends. Those who read this blog would know that I travel quite a bit. Infact I've been traveling ever since I left home for hostel after school. And in all my travels, even though I know that there would be no one at the airport or station or bus stops to receive me, I always look out for known/familiar faces. It is just a nice feeling for me when someone is there to receive. Period. Anyways, the gesture did not stop at receiving us. The bride and the groom had not slept the entire night, but were there at the airport at 5am to see us off. I was given the walk of honour right upto the security beyond which they were not allowed. Else I am sure they would have walked me right upto the flight. This gesture is really reflective of who they are. Nice, genuine people who care for friends and family. No wonder the two days were filled with the 'feel good' factor.
No trip to Calcutta can be called complete complete without puchkas, jhalmuris, sandesh, rosogullas and mishti dahi. Some shopping at New Market, a pilgrimage trip to Eden Gardens and Mohun Bagan and a drive through the howrah bridge and the trip was complete :)
The sun rose early by 530 and set by 5pm. It was dark by 530. The malls and eateries were teeming with people at 630ish while by 8, the crowds had thinned down. By 9 many shops were closed. This is quite contrary to Mumbai where there is sunlight till 7.30ish (may be 630 in winter) and given the travel required, dinner is usually 9 o clock plus. And everyone was wearing winter wear and half sweater. And a person on the scooter was wearing monkey cap. I don't quite understand this because the temparature was may be 18-20 C and I was walking around in shorts and T-Shirt. I wonder what I have been missing.
Park street and all the streets in that area are all one way. In the morning from 7 am to 1pm park street is one way towards the office direction and shakespeare road is one way in the opposite direction. This is to facilitate traffic movement in the direction of offices. However post 1pm till evening the one way is reversed. It is now in the direction away from the offices to facilitate traffic movement. And its not just one road which turns turtle, but infact almost all roads in the area including the feeder roads turn turtle. It can be quite confusing to a person who is new to Calcutta. As my friend quipped, ' Its like the entire city turning inside out'
I quite liked the relaxed atmosphere in Calcutta. People are in no hurry. I don't know if I can live here for a long but for a short duration it is great. You get a lot of time for yourself and family to pursue your interests, to have a life.
One of seniors in my company narrated this experience about Calcutta. This was 10 years ago in 1998 and he was in IIM Calcutta. It was two or three days to go for Valentines day and he had to speed post his valentine's card to his girlfriend else it wouldn't reach on time. He was standing at the Jokha post office in the long speed post queue at 5 pm and the speed post van had just rolled into the post office complex. If he missed sending it by that evening's delivery, the card wouldn't reach on time. And given the long queue he was sure to miss it. As he stood there in the long queue wondering what to do, the gentleman standing ahead of him noticed the unmistakable envelope in his hand and asked him 'valentine's day?'. When he nodded in affirmation, the gentleman yelled out to the row of people standing in front of him ' Urgent. Speed post for Valentine.' And everyone in the queue smiled and let him through to the front so that he could send the speed post first. This person claims that this level open mindedness and that too in 1998 cannot be found anywhere but Calcutta. I have a strong suspicion that his Mallu lineage will by default convert praises to eulogies when it is about fellow Bongs. But still I have to agree that the open mindedness and live and let live atmosphere of Kolkatta is probably unmatched in this country.
How I wish that they (people of Bengal) embrace the develop and let develop culture too.
