In the lovely words of Pradeep Sarkar — ‘Calcutta is beautiful. Wherever you place a camera, you get a vision’. Buildings from the British era, flower markets throughout the city and a tantalizing mix of street foods and sweets you can find are all that make up this much-loved messy-but-exciting city by the Hugli river. Take a walk around the streets and you will find the white-marbled Victoria Memorial, an 18th century graveyard and colourful flower market. For those that do not enjoy walking as much, there is a local cruise along the Hugli — take in the scenery at the banks of the city where you can see residents floating candles and floral offerings (in various styles, shapes, sizes and colours!).
Spend your days with breakfast tours and pottery market visits. For those with a taste for delicacies, the breakfast tours offer experiences beginning from Mishti Doi to tea served in a clay pot. The pottery market is a vision in itself with artisans carving larger-than-life statues of gods and customized sculptures using clay. For your historic fill, take a stroll along the South Park Street Cemetery, a multi-faceted combination of 18th century tombs and graves masked in layers of moss — a serene getaway in the middle of Kolkata’s hustle and bustle.
If Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market is your unforgettable dawn market experience, you have never been to Kolkata’s flower market. Wake up in the wee hours of the morning and take a stroll towards the market. Crowded with thousands of vendors and wholesalers and sprawling with garlands being made, bought and sold — just one aspect of the colourful and diverse varieties of flowers — an eclectic mix of pink, crimson and orange!
Kolkata is not just a city — it is an experience, a feeling, a remnant from colonial era living!
Where should you stay?
Skip the modern luxury and opt for Calcutta Bungalow — a heritage property in the middle of the famous Shyam Bazaar for an immersive and experiential stay. With just 6 rooms in a restored townhouse, this property exhibits perfectly the eccentricity and charm of the city.
From within, the property is the perfect blend of modern and vintage — with each room being named after different neighbourhoods of Kolkata — such as Patuapara and Sahibpara and so on. Each room is adorned with an array of décor displaying the quirks and timeless features of the city. The unbeatable old-world charm even extends to the hotel’s transport facilities, namely the famous Hindustan Ambassador being used for tours & transfers for guests.
The owner, Iftekhar Ahsan, also a joint partner with the famous Calcutta Walks, is the perfect companion for walking tours around the city, with an insight into various community stories and cultural trades and access to the best delicacies in hidden spots; an authentic Kolkata is in store for you! With the Calcutta Bungalow, he has brought to life the golden era of the city — when the city was the Imperial Capital and a cultural hub. The kitchen strives to use food from local markets and serves Bengali Cuisine that will leave you licking your fingers!
Pro Tip — Each room has an old-style typewriter (some of them even in working condition!). Visit the hotel’s souvenir store to get your hands on a working typewriter and some authentic Bengali utensils/cloth pieces and souvenirs.
Written By Anisha Masand
Week 14, April ’20
