Hyderablog

A Few Days In Calcutta

After spending several chilly and relaxing days in Darjeeling, we stopped in Calcutta (now called Kolkata) for a few days before heading back to Hyderabad. Certainly, Calcutta's reputation is far from shining, and in many ways the place is everything you'd expect if you've ever read anything about it or seen the film City of Joy. In short, it's congested, dirty, poor and more or less in a state of decay - essentially what you might have in your mind when you visualize an overcrowded, Indian city.


However, since Usha grew up in the city, and to this day has extremely fond memories of her childhood there, she made sure to show me some of the brighter spots, of which there were quite a few. Most interestingly, Calcutta remains a relatively sophisticated cultural, political and intellectual hub in a way that certainly Hyderabad is not. People are well-read and educated there, there is a thriving film community and the city has produced many celebrated poets, authors and filmmakers. There's a distinct pride and vibrancy about the place, despite outward appearances.


There remains in Calcutta a strong British influence, and I was pleased to see the extent to which sports and physical fitness are emphasized (relative to Hyderabad, where far and away people's favorite pastime is eating!). I even got in a round of golf during my stay, while Usha caught up with her old school friends, and Maya had endless play-dates with their kids. The two of them paid a visit to Usha's old school, where some of her old teachers were still kicking around, and Maya was given the royal treatment as the daughter of a returning alum.

posted by David @ 10:08 AM