A big part of being Bengali is being from the most progressive part of India. The first Indian women college graduates were from Calcutta. The first women doctors also from Bengal. All but one of India's Noble Laureates are from Bengal. As much as we try to be humble its hard to ignore the heritage that is such a perfect mix of history, culture and progression.
Whether a Calcuttan admits it or not a big part of being Bengali is knowing what Marxism really means. Quite possibly the worlds longest surviving Marxist regime for close to 4 uninterrupted decades now - Bengal is hard baked against anti-communist propaganda. The red flags all over the state don't surprise any Bengali. I think it would be really surprising to go home to not find these flags. We take strikes and bandhs for granted. In fact back in school we just called it a holiday. All I am saying is that there is a reason that many people prefer Bengal as a place to retire. I am looking forward to seeing how the latest battle plays out.
Food!!! The more the better. Calcutta is the food capital of India. Nowhere else in India will you find the same variety of Indian and international cuisine - a colonial heritage. Bengali's live to eat and not the other way around. Fish, spices and sweets. Ask any Indian and they will concur. Rarely will a Bengali woman who is not slightly chubby be considered beautiful.
Emotions :( Yes we react and overreact. Bengali's are surrounded by emotional and sentimental people. Always suspect the Bengali that doesn't overreact.
Melancholy - Don't roll your eyes and act like its untrue. You know the movies we love the most are the saddest ones. The books we recommend - also sad. Our favourite music - hella sad! We truly understand what Wordsworth meant when he said "... In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts bring sad thoughts to the mind." I think we got it the other way around though.
Adda - There is no good translation for this. It is basically a chat. Of course this comes with endless cups of tea and pakoras... nom nom and PNPC (Para ninde para charcha.)
Sound of ghungroos and raga's in the evening. If you grew up in Bengal you know that the smell of Dhuno in the evening is accompanied by that of Shankha and girls practicing their ragas or Bharatnatyam or Kathak.
Finally as Vir Sanghvi said "But if you want a city with a soul: come to Calcutta ."
Whether a Calcuttan admits it or not a big part of being Bengali is knowing what Marxism really means. Quite possibly the worlds longest surviving Marxist regime for close to 4 uninterrupted decades now - Bengal is hard baked against anti-communist propaganda. The red flags all over the state don't surprise any Bengali. I think it would be really surprising to go home to not find these flags. We take strikes and bandhs for granted. In fact back in school we just called it a holiday. All I am saying is that there is a reason that many people prefer Bengal as a place to retire. I am looking forward to seeing how the latest battle plays out.
Food!!! The more the better. Calcutta is the food capital of India. Nowhere else in India will you find the same variety of Indian and international cuisine - a colonial heritage. Bengali's live to eat and not the other way around. Fish, spices and sweets. Ask any Indian and they will concur. Rarely will a Bengali woman who is not slightly chubby be considered beautiful.
Emotions :( Yes we react and overreact. Bengali's are surrounded by emotional and sentimental people. Always suspect the Bengali that doesn't overreact.
Melancholy - Don't roll your eyes and act like its untrue. You know the movies we love the most are the saddest ones. The books we recommend - also sad. Our favourite music - hella sad! We truly understand what Wordsworth meant when he said "... In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts bring sad thoughts to the mind." I think we got it the other way around though.
Adda - There is no good translation for this. It is basically a chat. Of course this comes with endless cups of tea and pakoras... nom nom and PNPC (Para ninde para charcha.)
Sound of ghungroos and raga's in the evening. If you grew up in Bengal you know that the smell of Dhuno in the evening is accompanied by that of Shankha and girls practicing their ragas or Bharatnatyam or Kathak.
Finally as Vir Sanghvi said "But if you want a city with a soul: come to Calcutta ."
