Culture of Kolkata

 

Kolkata popularly known as the city of joy boasts of being the cultural capital of India. Culture of Kolkata can be seen in its arts, music, dance, literature, cinema, theatre, dramas, etc. The city of Kolkata is known for its Para culture which segregates the communities of the people of Kolkata on the basis of their origin. Adda has become an important part of culture of Kolkata. Adda is a chat session when people of the same socio-economic strata gather together at their club house and have informal discussion over various issue like politics, religion, sports, literature, socio-economic issues and many other current affairs. 

Graffiti was very much in vogue till recently when Kolkata High court banned graffiti on the walls of private estate without prior permission from the owner of the property. It had become an important tool of spreading political and socio-economic thoughts. Kolkata has conserved its long tradition of jatra. Jatra is open folk theatre plying a four hours play with heavy lighting, high dramatic props and loud music.

Rabindra Nritya Natya, Rabindra Sangeet is an important part of life of people of Kolkata. These songs and dance-songs sequence composed by the Rabindranath Tagore hold much significance in Kolkata and Bengal as a whole. Nazrul Geeti is another integral part of Kolkata. These are the Bengali songs sung by famous slinger Nazrul.

Kolkata takes pride in being birth place of many noteworthy personalities who by their writing inspired not just people of Bengal but of other parts of the country. Literature of Kolkata and Bengal state as whole is one of the richest in India. The literature had the power to change and shape the minds of the people during the colonial rule in India. As a matter fact it played an important role in India’s freedom struggle. Rabindranath Tagore, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Kazi Nazrul Islam etc are some of prominent literary persons the city of Kolkata has produced. Today city of Kolkata is still producing many literary persons who are making Kolkata feel proud by their writing which are also bringing laurels on world arena. 

When it comes to eating Kolkata does not lag behind as it offers wide variety of delicious cuisine. Rice served Macher jhol (fish curry) is the common element of dishes of Kolkata. Mouth watering Rasgulla is also famous in Kolkata. Rolls and Puchka are the major streets foods of Kolkata. Puchka is known as Golgappa in north India and Paanipuri in western part of India. It is fried wheat hollow crispy bolls which are served with filling spicy potato and herbed tamarind water.

Cinema is also one part of multi-layered culture of Kolkata. If Mumbai serves to be the base of professional cinema, Kolkata is hub of producing art films which have acquired wide international acclaim. Kolkata film festival which held annually at various theaters is an important event in the city.