For all those who are thinking that I am talking about celestial bodies existing in the film industries or about 12th century paintings - they are grossly mistaken.
I am talking about three beautiful and soulful cities - Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.
I have stayed in all three cities and realize that each one have its own essence. A unique one, at that.
I was born and brought up in Kolkata - the "apparent" city of joy. I say apparent because the miseries are no less in Kolkata when compared to other places. But it is definitely a cultured town. The land of bhadraloks.
Kolkata has an inimitable spirit - from the egg rolls to tram rides to serene lakeside views. Every Kolkata resident has the quintessential soul in him alive and kicking - they just cannot sit idle. If you go to Nandan, you will know why. Lovebirds, instead of sharing the sweet nothings, share poems they wrote the night before thinking about their respective loves. Some would be singing the songs they composed; others may be having a heated argument over industrialization vs communism.
The vintage rickshaws; the series of book stalls at College Street; the Re 1 bus tickets; the galli cricket; the Sunday morning Kalighat visit...the true essence of Kolkata.
The tea stalls discuss politics; the maidaan plays football. The Victoria Memorial sheds the love tears; the college campuses talk the ancient literature. Bengalis just need an intellectual cue - and they just grasp on it, like a python on its prey. And, trust me, they make sense almost all the time.
Kolkata has its own drawbacks too. Some snigger that is quite dirty; which I would say it is, but at places. Not everywhere. Some say people there are quite lazy - which again is party true. My friends shared a joke with me saying that Bengalis constitute the least proportion in the Indian Army. Are they so coward, they ask. I, very nonchalantly reply,
" No they are intelligent enough to be non-violent!!"
The people in Kolkata share a different religion - the religion of sports, politics and literature. These three domains cross almost all borders of segmentation and rope in everyone under one shed. At this juncture, let me warn readers - When in Kolkata, do not say anything against Sourav Ganguly. There would be little chances of you coming out of that place safely!!
I finished my higher education from Delhi. At this point, let me tell you that people who have not been a part of Delhi University have missed out on one of the best times of their lives. Apart from DU, Delhi has a lot more to offer. The kebabs at Red Fort; the long drives on the Noida flyover or the Delhi-Gurgaon highway; the parties at Sainik farms; the Republic Day parade at India Gate - it has it all.
The best part of Delhi is probably its winter. Quite a colorful and cheerful winter. Not a dreary winter that the rest of India thinks Delhi faces. The frosty mornings, when you would feel cold even after being under 4 layers of clothes; the nice and warm afternoons, which you can spend idling in one of the myriad number of parks and lawns; and the chilly nights when you cuddle in your bed, with the K serials running the roost on TV!!
The most interesting part of Delhi is unarguably its residents - from the brawny Jaats to the laborious Sikhs; from the scheming Baniyas to the wily Biharis. And the way they dress. Its fun watching them. Smart looking chaps wearing ganjees to college is not a very pleasant sight. Neither is it to watch a pretty girl, gyrating in a disco, wearing the funkiest of clothes and a whole set of bangles till her elbow!! Not a pretty sight, at all!!
Delhi has a lot of intrinsic faultlines too. Some say people are genuinely rude - I have my experience to vouch for it. My first day in Delhi, and I ask a bus conductor, " Bhaiiya, yeh bus ISBT jayegi?" Pat comes the reply, " Be******, jayegi!!!" For a stranger, it is as offensive as showing your teeth to Japanese. But to common Delhite, the so-called foul words are a part of their daily conversation. People who have watched Rang De Basanti would know that a common Delhite can use all the swear words in front of their parents too - and its quite true.
Apart from the verbal cruelty, people in Delhi have a knack for physical brutality too. Remember, Delhi is, infamously, tagged the " Crime Capital" of the nation. Women are surely unsafe there. All the Government assurances notwithstanding, I have personally seen how unsafe it is for women, even to be out of their homes after seven or eight in the evening. But since the time I have moved out of Delhi, I have heard that Delhi has become quite safe for women!! (Some women, at least, am sure!!!)
Mumbai was a welcome change after Delhi. Here people are so similar to that of Kolkata. Lots of value and culture. And respect for each other. Life is Mumbai is so completely different. It always makes you feel like reaching for the sky. No wonder, they call it the "City of Dreams". Someone told me that SRK had once stood at Marine Drive, looked at the sea and said " I will rule this city one day". I tried it too but I do not know how genuine is SRK's story.
The most excellent part of Mumbai is its food. I know I am quite a foodie but am not saying I like Mumbai's food just because I like food. Well, nowhere in this world (am quite sure about it) would you get keema pavs, wada pavs and frankies that taste as yum.
Then to complement that, you have those sanguine sunsets viewed from Bandstand, the occasional bump-ins with filmstars (awwww!!!), the rush hour rides in the local trains, the culture-mix in Bandra, the Mumbai festival...
The Irani cafes at various corners; the kurtas at Colaba (interestingly, they cost Rs 100 for Indians and Rs 1000 for foreigners!!! - Who says racial discrimination has been abolished???); the fun-loving bawas; the laughing clubs - this city, definitely, has a life.
Talking about life, how can I miss out on Mumbai's nightlife. At times, I think, that the pubs and bars must have outnumbered the hospitals and banks in the city. They are just everywhere - just like mushrooms. And Mumbai definitely knows how to respect. Respect each individual. No one has an issue when a boy and a girl walk hand in hand on the pavement of some busy locality. Try doing that in Delhi and Kolkata!!!
The freshness in Mumbai floats in its breeze; the energy of the city is addictive. Mumbai is like weed - it may be not be physically habitual; but psychologically, it is dangerously addictive. On my first few days In Mumbai, I used to spend hours standing at Churchgate station, watching people rushing in and out of it. Where they go; what they do - no one knows. They all may have different reasons to hasten and rush. Some have sneering bosses waiting to fire them; some may have sleazy mistresses waiting. But the vigor and enthusiasm, reflected by all of them, were the same. It is like - every one is on a mission. Mission to reach somewhere, somehow...
Just as every head has a tail, Mumbai has its own shortcomings too. Too much pollution; too many people; expensive land rates are some. What is more serious is the under-the-carpet criminal nexus. Everyone here is either a bhai or is close to some bhai. And I thought bhai meant brother and can also be extended to brotherhood??
Well, the essence is quite unique (as I mentioned earlier) in all the three cities. Yet there is a common chord that bonds each with the other. The chord of life. All the cities enjoy their lives - no one cribs and cringes. They all sleep satisfied - so what if an average Kolkatan's satisfaction measure is a good meal of mach-bhaat and that of an average Delhite is owning a Merc(And bettering their neighbor's model) and that of an average Mumbaikar is to have a nice weekend.
Weekend?...Gosh, its already Sunday and I have to join back office on Monday. The Kolkatan in me has already chomped his daily dose of fish and the Delhite in me has already dreamt of my dream cars and bunglows. Now, it is the Mumbaikar in me who demands to have a nice weekend. So long, readers!!!
About the AuthorAbhijit Bhattacharya The author is a Marketing professional in the field of broadcast media for more than 9 years now.
He was born in Kolkata, where he finished his hig...Read Morefirst published:May 14, 2006, 10:29 ISTlast updated:May 14, 2006, 10:29 IST
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Three beauties. Three themes. Three souls.
For all those who are thinking that I am talking about celestial bodies existing in the film industries or about 12th century paintings - they are grossly mistaken.
I am talking about three beautiful and soulful cities - Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.
I have stayed in all three cities and realize that each one have its own essence. A unique one, at that.
I was born and brought up in Kolkata - the "apparent" city of joy. I say apparent because the miseries are no less in Kolkata when compared to other places. But it is definitely a cultured town. The land of bhadraloks.
Kolkata has an inimitable spirit - from the egg rolls to tram rides to serene lakeside views. Every Kolkata resident has the quintessential soul in him alive and kicking - they just cannot sit idle. If you go to Nandan, you will know why. Lovebirds, instead of sharing the sweet nothings, share poems they wrote the night before thinking about their respective loves. Some would be singing the songs they composed; others may be having a heated argument over industrialization vs communism.
The vintage rickshaws; the series of book stalls at College Street; the Re 1 bus tickets; the galli cricket; the Sunday morning Kalighat visit...the true essence of Kolkata.
The tea stalls discuss politics; the maidaan plays football. The Victoria Memorial sheds the love tears; the college campuses talk the ancient literature. Bengalis just need an intellectual cue - and they just grasp on it, like a python on its prey. And, trust me, they make sense almost all the time.
Kolkata has its own drawbacks too. Some snigger that is quite dirty; which I would say it is, but at places. Not everywhere. Some say people there are quite lazy - which again is party true. My friends shared a joke with me saying that Bengalis constitute the least proportion in the Indian Army. Are they so coward, they ask. I, very nonchalantly reply,
" No they are intelligent enough to be non-violent!!"
The people in Kolkata share a different religion - the religion of sports, politics and literature. These three domains cross almost all borders of segmentation and rope in everyone under one shed. At this juncture, let me warn readers - When in Kolkata, do not say anything against Sourav Ganguly. There would be little chances of you coming out of that place safely!!
I finished my higher education from Delhi. At this point, let me tell you that people who have not been a part of Delhi University have missed out on one of the best times of their lives. Apart from DU, Delhi has a lot more to offer. The kebabs at Red Fort; the long drives on the Noida flyover or the Delhi-Gurgaon highway; the parties at Sainik farms; the Republic Day parade at India Gate - it has it all.
The best part of Delhi is probably its winter. Quite a colorful and cheerful winter. Not a dreary winter that the rest of India thinks Delhi faces. The frosty mornings, when you would feel cold even after being under 4 layers of clothes; the nice and warm afternoons, which you can spend idling in one of the myriad number of parks and lawns; and the chilly nights when you cuddle in your bed, with the K serials running the roost on TV!!
The most interesting part of Delhi is unarguably its residents - from the brawny Jaats to the laborious Sikhs; from the scheming Baniyas to the wily Biharis. And the way they dress. Its fun watching them. Smart looking chaps wearing ganjees to college is not a very pleasant sight. Neither is it to watch a pretty girl, gyrating in a disco, wearing the funkiest of clothes and a whole set of bangles till her elbow!! Not a pretty sight, at all!!
Delhi has a lot of intrinsic faultlines too. Some say people are genuinely rude - I have my experience to vouch for it. My first day in Delhi, and I ask a bus conductor, " Bhaiiya, yeh bus ISBT jayegi?" Pat comes the reply, " Be******, jayegi!!!" For a stranger, it is as offensive as showing your teeth to Japanese. But to common Delhite, the so-called foul words are a part of their daily conversation. People who have watched Rang De Basanti would know that a common Delhite can use all the swear words in front of their parents too - and its quite true.
Apart from the verbal cruelty, people in Delhi have a knack for physical brutality too. Remember, Delhi is, infamously, tagged the " Crime Capital" of the nation. Women are surely unsafe there. All the Government assurances notwithstanding, I have personally seen how unsafe it is for women, even to be out of their homes after seven or eight in the evening. But since the time I have moved out of Delhi, I have heard that Delhi has become quite safe for women!! (Some women, at least, am sure!!!)
Mumbai was a welcome change after Delhi. Here people are so similar to that of Kolkata. Lots of value and culture. And respect for each other. Life is Mumbai is so completely different. It always makes you feel like reaching for the sky. No wonder, they call it the "City of Dreams". Someone told me that SRK had once stood at Marine Drive, looked at the sea and said " I will rule this city one day". I tried it too but I do not know how genuine is SRK's story.
The most excellent part of Mumbai is its food. I know I am quite a foodie but am not saying I like Mumbai's food just because I like food. Well, nowhere in this world (am quite sure about it) would you get keema pavs, wada pavs and frankies that taste as yum.
Then to complement that, you have those sanguine sunsets viewed from Bandstand, the occasional bump-ins with filmstars (awwww!!!), the rush hour rides in the local trains, the culture-mix in Bandra, the Mumbai festival...
The Irani cafes at various corners; the kurtas at Colaba (interestingly, they cost Rs 100 for Indians and Rs 1000 for foreigners!!! - Who says racial discrimination has been abolished???); the fun-loving bawas; the laughing clubs - this city, definitely, has a life.
Talking about life, how can I miss out on Mumbai's nightlife. At times, I think, that the pubs and bars must have outnumbered the hospitals and banks in the city. They are just everywhere - just like mushrooms. And Mumbai definitely knows how to respect. Respect each individual. No one has an issue when a boy and a girl walk hand in hand on the pavement of some busy locality. Try doing that in Delhi and Kolkata!!!
The freshness in Mumbai floats in its breeze; the energy of the city is addictive. Mumbai is like weed - it may be not be physically habitual; but psychologically, it is dangerously addictive. On my first few days In Mumbai, I used to spend hours standing at Churchgate station, watching people rushing in and out of it. Where they go; what they do - no one knows. They all may have different reasons to hasten and rush. Some have sneering bosses waiting to fire them; some may have sleazy mistresses waiting. But the vigor and enthusiasm, reflected by all of them, were the same. It is like - every one is on a mission. Mission to reach somewhere, somehow...
Just as every head has a tail, Mumbai has its own shortcomings too. Too much pollution; too many people; expensive land rates are some. What is more serious is the under-the-carpet criminal nexus. Everyone here is either a bhai or is close to some bhai. And I thought bhai meant brother and can also be extended to brotherhood??
Well, the essence is quite unique (as I mentioned earlier) in all the three cities. Yet there is a common chord that bonds each with the other. The chord of life. All the cities enjoy their lives - no one cribs and cringes. They all sleep satisfied - so what if an average Kolkatan's satisfaction measure is a good meal of mach-bhaat and that of an average Delhite is owning a Merc(And bettering their neighbor's model) and that of an average Mumbaikar is to have a nice weekend.
Weekend?...Gosh, its already Sunday and I have to join back office on Monday. The Kolkatan in me has already chomped his daily dose of fish and the Delhite in me has already dreamt of my dream cars and bunglows. Now, it is the Mumbaikar in me who demands to have a nice weekend. So long, readers!!!
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