The Contemplative Calcuttan

The Contemplative Calcuttan

Kolkata prides itself on its arts, literature and culture. It has made slowness into a fine art of sorts, providing people that extra breathing space to contemplate on the finer and subtler aspects of living. In comparison to the fast-paced metros, it comes across as lazy and laid-back. But if we were to look at it from another perspective, what really have the so-called developed metros achieved in terms of lifestyle barring more stress and distress? Kolkata, at least on the outside, offers a picture of contemplation and a resolve to stay peaceful.

“Even the buildings seem to be in suspended animation,” I commented to my relatives as I stared outside from their seventh floor apartment in Kolkata. Every visit to the City of Joy makes you wonder at the reluctant pace at which the city is still coming to terms with liberalisation. As the nation commemorates twenty five years of liberalisation, Kolkata seems static and contented in its own space and time, as if liberalisation is fast spreading its tentacles in a far distant land.

The city though has not been able to escape the effects of liberalisation. There is visibly better infrastructure, more options for eating and entertainment. But it does not escape anyone's notice that the old Calcutta is still determined to hold on to its legacy – the rickety yellow Ambassador taxi, the still-reckless-though-broken mini bus, the slow-moving tram and the pioneering metro combine to put together a unique symphony of sorts. However, I did notice that hand-pulled rickshaws were out of sight.

Kolkata holds a special place in my life as I spent an impactful part of my childhood there. At a young age it deeply ingrained in me the impressions that stay with you for a lifetime. Every visit there fills me with nostalgia, memories and cravings for the only kind of sweets available on Planet Earth. Not to mention the amazing Bengali samosa (singada), puchka (gol gappa or pani puri for the rest of India, depending on where you live) and the `cutting chai` in the small earthen pot. And all these come at a cost which will make your jaws shake in `happy horror`.

A recent visit to Motilal Nehru Raod, where I spent two critical years of my life with my uncle's family, filled me with a sense of deep nostalgia. While a redeveloped building here and there had come up in the lane, memories sped back to my childhood as I saw youngsters from another generation play cricket with the same gusto that we did. I wondered if anything had changed at all. The lane, its people, the surroundings all seemed blissfully contented in occupying a space in time which seemed not just reluctant, but resistant to go the modern way.

Kolkata prides itself on its arts, literature and culture. It has made slowness into a fine art of sorts, providing people that extra breathing space to contemplate on the finer and subtler aspects of living. In comparison to the fast-paced metros, it comes across as lazy and laid-back. But if we were to look at it from another perspective, what really have the so-called developed metros achieved in terms of lifestyle barring more stress and distress? Kolkata, at least on the outside, offers a picture of contemplation and a resolve to stay peaceful.

The city it appears to me is resolute about maintaining its solitude. While the rest of the country is busy planning the next big economic move, Calcutta is taking measured steps towards globalisation. For the outsider, it invokes both curiosity as well as contempt for its `laziness`. The `progressive` Indian accuses it of economic backwardness and industrial unfriendliness. But has anyone bothered to ask the `Contemplative Calcuttan` whether he would be ready to impart training in the nuances of the Bengali language, Rabindra Sangeet and Satyajit Ray films? The enthusiasm with which they pursue activities contemplative and intellectually enriching has to be seen to be believed. It's important purely from an evolutionary perspective to not just give Calcutta the benefit of doubt, but also acknowledge the unique strengths it offers to the Indian populace. The contribution of Bengalis to the national creative space is outstanding to say the least.

Oh! Calcutta, I know the `wrath of time` will with each passing day challenge your stubbornness to remain traditional and lure you into `development`, as can be seen from the way classical homes are getting clouded by the presence of modern buildings, but may you remain steadfast in holding on to what India and humanity need to preserve in your bosom. May you acquire only those modern traits that will uplift human consciousness and not increase human cravings.

The Contemplative Calcuttan after all epitomises not just the nature of a city and its people, it also offers hope of escapism into a zone of consciousness which connects you to `everything within the nothing`.