My Kolkata Konnection
Kolkata is my city, my home. It stirs up my emotions, it stirs up my soul. The city at dusk through the heavy dark thunder clouds, the incessant noise from the crowded streets, the familiar and the unfamiliar faces, the multiple options of local savouries, the hurtling riot of colours – these rejuvenate me. Born and brought up for the most part in Kolkata, my Bengali genes are to be blamed not only for my relentless creative pursuits but also my unsatiated taste-buds. Wherever I go or whichever city I have lived in and set up our homes later in my life, there has always been a reference to something or someplace or somebody or some incident in Kolkata.
My affection for Kolkata baffles me. It amuses me and irritates me. Imagine finding Venice, one of the most romantic cities in the world, to be similar to water-logged North Kolkata. That is definitely not a romantic idea of a few Euros well spent, is it? My friends who have no prior experience of Kolkata, often ask me – ‘What do you like about Kolkata?’or ‘Hey, we want to visit Kolkata. What do you suggest we should see?’ These questions make me nervous as well as excited. Nervous, because I want them to love my Kolkata. Excited, because I have a never ending things-to-do-list which I have to always hand over!
For me, the only way to experience Kolkata is to feel the city, live the city. And that is as good as living in a kaleidoscope. For those who haven’t had any prior ‘Kolkata’ experience, I hope I can show them the true Kolkata – in my way. For, I cannot ever severe my soul Konnection. I know that’s not the Korrect spelling but Connection with a K is the only random thing that matches up to the chaos that is my city, Kolkata!
You can read all about me here, why and how I started this blog, and what do I do to earn a living! Dubai is currently my adopted home and most of the food posts have been juxtaposed against my Kolkata nostalgia or my living experiences in the UAE. In most of my writings, culture, history, recipes, food stories and nostalgia – even about my childhood in Kolkata, unfold amidst the urban backdrop of Dubai. Hence, sometimes I’ve not been able to clearly demarcate between Dubai and Kolkata posts. All blogposts revolve around the following categories – Recipes, Reviews, Interviews, Food Events and Culinary Travel, click here to read. II have also tried to compile all posts falling under the categories of Dubai here, Kolkata here and everything I have written beyond Dubai and Kolkata, is listed here. Also to find all the posts written so far, in a chronological manner, click here. Please note that some of my posts have been written as early as 2011 and there could have been changes in the restaurants and places mentioned (some may have shut shop, others have changed location, or simply lost their earlier ethos). Updating more than 300 blogposts can be quite a task… but I am trying to do update/edit as much as I can, so bear with me if there are any inconsistencies in some of my earlier posts!
Where to Eat in Kolkata – Streetfood
Dacres Lane | Introducing Kolkata street food in BBC Travel Show UK
Dilipda’s Phuchkas in Vivekananda Park | World Famous In Kolkata!
Momos in Tiretti Bazar | The Last Chinese Remnants!
Firni or Ferni, Ramadan or Ramzan, Mallick Bazar or Karama | It’s The Same Festive Sentiment!
Where to Eat in Kolkata – Restaurants
Where Will You Eat Bengali Food In Kolkata? | From Traditional to Bohemian
Flurys in Kolkata | The Legend Still Continues in Park Street
Scoop In Outram Ghat | Yesss, It Still Exists!
Bohemian Restaurant In Kolkata | Chef Joy Talks About Food That Does Cabaret On The Senses!
Shiraz Golden Restaurant, Dubai | From Lucknow To Kolkata And To Dubai!
Things to do in Kolkata
Ramadan Food Trail With Calcutta Walks | As The Muezzin Calls
Growing up in Kolkata – Memories & Recipes
The Magistrate’s House, No. 1 Thackeray Road, Alipore – Kolkata
A Riot of Colours | Kolkata Kaleidoscope
Spicy Baby Potatoes or Aloor Dum – Kolkata Street Style
Pudding of Love | Mum-In-Law’s Special Caramel Custard
Khichuri As Harbinger of Hope & Kolkata Soaked In Rains
Pickles | Mother (-in-law) Of All Pickles!
Hot Garlic Pickle | The Pickled Diary – Episode 1
A Tale of 2 Cities & Naru/Coconut Jaggery Truffles | A Dubai Expat’s Summer Story!
Moong Daaler Payesh or Yellow Lentil Pudding | Autumnal Sunshine Of The Eternal Mind!
Notun Gurer Payesh/Traditional Bengali Rice Pudding | Remembering My Dida
Rasgulla Macapuno – When a Filipina Turns Bong!
Mango Lentil Soup/Aam Dal – The Summer Combat
Rôshogolla or Rasgulla – Bengali’s Own Sweet
Terraces and Beyond – Kolkata
Living By The Water With Sunset As Prop – Kolkata & the Ganges
The Magic of Christmas!
Autos In Kolkata – My Ultimate Road Crush… And Autos All over The World!
The Unlikely Twins – Oberammergau in Germany & Kolkata
Bengali Cuisine
Traditional Bengali Cuisine | In ‘Slight’ Details
Media
Dacres Lane | Introducing Kolkata street food in BBC Travel Show UK
Bhapa Mishti Doi and A Food Safari of Bengal | BBC GoodFood ME
The World Awaits for me to wander. ‘It’s a new world – it’s a new start/ It’s alive with the beating of young hearts… Here I am…’ Artist: Bryan Adams from the Movie ‘Spirit’. That is the idea behind the title of the Parent Category under which all the posts are listed and photos are cataloged.
Following are the various places in the world that I have visited: Tracking My Footprints
Following are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that I have visited:
– In India
– In Asia (outside India)
– In Europe
Disclaimer: There aren’t any sponsored posts in this page, nor are there any affiliated links. The subject, story, opinions and views stated here are my own and all my bills have been self paid. While you enjoy reading my posts with lot of visuals, please do not use any material from these posts. Do join me on my daily food and travel journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitterand Pinterest.
34 Comments
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Akshay
A city which reflect culture…
IshitaUnblogged
Yeah, agreed! Are you from Kolkata as well?
Kingshuk
I liked the way you wrote it. And yes, this city do ‘Konnect’ to the soul. No matter what, at the end of the day, it’s ‘my city’! 🙂
IshitaUnblogged
Thanks Kingshuk. You’ve indeed spoken what my heart says. Look forward to your feedback:)
Sanghamitra Banerjee
U can take a Bangali out of Kolkata…but u cannot take Kolkata out of a bangali…no matter how far we are from our roots…staying in Dubai…your blogs make me nostalgic and stay Konnected..keep up the gud work !!! 🙂
IshitaUnblogged
Hey so true Sanghamitra! And thank you for such a warm comment. Appreciation like this can only motivate me further!
Rana
I have left…abandoned…and kept coming back to my Kolkata. It never ceases to amaze me. And strangely enough it has been more often than not…I will ALWAYS find a Calcuttan in every nook n corner of the blessed globe! Heres to good ole Sutanuti :0
IshitaUnblogged
I guess I have the same feeling Rana. You cannot ‘not’ return. I love Kolkata with all its idiosyncrasies. BTW, the link to your blog doesn’t work.
Mama Obito (@balimyheart)
I have lived in Kolkata for 6 months. It was 10 years back. The city of colors. Like your blog so much. Lively.
IshitaUnblogged
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that you liked it. And hope to see you hop in again:)
mybangladiary
Like your blog!
IshitaUnblogged
Thank you so much 🙂
mintyskitchen
This is my food blog – it’s pretty new. Yours is so impressive!
mintyskitchen
It’s here a mix of European and Indian food. Only one Indian dish so far. http://mintyskitchen.wordpress.com
IshitaUnblogged
Hey Minty, I am sold on your Bong Diary… so doesn’t matter if there is only one Indian dish. Happy to be connected to you 🙂
mintyskitchen
Thanks!
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Bob Khanna
Nicely done…I left Calcutta after 38 years of having lived there, and still have a major part of my family there, which is what takes me back every year…however, my growing up days in this great city haunt me still, and after having made Dubai my home since the last 15 years, I am still very much a Calcuttan…love it to bits…
IshitaUnblogged
Thank you Bob for leaving such a warm comment. If you can accept the idiosyncrasies of Kolkata, you are betrothed to the city for ever!
Anirban Halder
Loved to read this. I also share the passionate love from Kolkata and my blog is dedicated to it. It’s called Kolkata Curry (www.kolkatacurry.blogspot.in). When I decided to write, I started blogging. And I didn’t find any broad topic other than the city I fell in love with. Yes, I write a lot about Bangla cinema, but that suits a blog on Kolkata, so I’m happy. I’m a foodie too and wish to explore the Kolkata food all my life, especially the hidden gems in its lanes and bylanes and old, nondescript buildings. Wish I could blog more on food. I was born and brought up in its suburbs, Barrackpore, but my parents are from the city. And now I have a home in this city where my family (including two daughters) stays and we divide our time between this home and my first home where my father stays. Hope I konnect with you :)!
IshitaUnblogged
Absolutely connected Anirban!!! Welcome to my space… and thank you so much for connecting. I *live and breathe* Kolkata!!!!
Anirban Halder
Absolutely ‘Konnected’, right :)? Thanks for the prompt response, Ishita. Could you drop a line to my mail ID, so that we can keep in touch on shared interests on mail?
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Tushar
Kolkata does have a heart of its own, and a very big one. Irrespective of who you are or where you come from, Kolkata accepts all with an open heart. At times it may treat you harshly, but it never fails to make you feel at home.
IshitaUnblogged
Tushar, love the way you reiterated my feelings for Kolkata. And thanks for reading!
Ankita das
I like the way you describe or represent
kolkata…love reading your blog 😊
IshitaUnblogged
Thank you so much Ankita ! Hope you keep visiting my blog. Regards
Tamil Guy
Thanks a ton! This is my first time in Kolkata and your blog helped me plan my trip.
IshitaUnblogged
Thank you so much! What did you all go … and eat?
Sushil Rudra
Beautiful expression. I have spent my student life in Kolkata. Thank you so much for this valuable blog post.
IshitaUnblogged
Thank you Sushil! Thats wonderful to hear. Did you spend your College or school years in Kolkata?
Srijita Halder
Here i can get many information about Kolkata.