Kumor Para, Kumartuli
In a humid Sept afternoon, the lanes of Kumartuli, the idol-makers’ enclave in north Kolkata, are busy with preparations for Durga Puja. In its narrow passageways, artisans shape clay into idols, while helpers carry straw…
Khelar Para, Maidan
The chaos and cacophony of central Kolkata stumble upon an island of green quite abruptly where the cityscape seems to fade away and space becomes abundant. The Maidan springs up like a pleasant surprise in…
Foreign Para, New Market
The British may have left India over seven decades ago but their presence is still felt in every nook and corner of central Kolkata, especially in the vicinity of the New Market area, popularly known…
China Para, Tangra
It’s easy to miss the ghosts in Tangra now. The old icons have faded. Vaishali Cinema, where once the air filled with the aroma of cheap popcorn, was turned into a residential building. Hundreds of…
MBA Para, Joka
When a former director of Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta, who is a reputable management guru and associated with multiple institutions like banks and ISM-Dhanbad, opted to stay at the first-ever condo in Joka almost a…
Living Para, Jadavpur
In the heart of south Kolkata, a transformation has reshaped the landscape of Jadavpur, particularly along Prince Anwar Shah Road, reflecting the city’s evolving identity-from an industrial powerhouse to a modern urban centre. This area,…
James Long Para, Behala
Once the path of a chugging narrow-gauge railway meandering through sleepy hamlets on Kolkata’s outskirts, James Long Sarani (JLS) has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant culinary corridors. The metamorphosis is so complete,…
Patuapara, Kalighat
The neighbourhood was once known for idol makers and scroll painters. But now, Patuapara is better known for its proximity to the home of Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who chose to stay in her…
Cosmo Para, Salt Lake
In the early summer of 1962, a stretch of marshland on the eastern edge of Kolkata began its transformation into what would become one of Bengal’s most iconic urban experiments. Guided by the vision of…
Housing Para, Kalindi
Kalidaha, or Kalindi, emerged on the marshy fringes of Patipukur in the late 1970s with a unique character as a planned neighbourhood featuring a standardised flat, grid-based layout and a homogeneous environment. Primarily intended to…