The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
September 2013 issue
Kolkata
Kaleidoscope
by Balarka Brahma
The city of joy is not my birthplace. I came here as a migrant from a small town to search for a better future: for better
education and a better life. From then to now the city has changed drastically. And so it has within my mind and soul.
Kolkata is not just a city to me; it is something that I feel deep inside myself. I sense rhythm in the sound of a tram, I
feel fresh by standing in the middle of the Maidan (large open parkland), I become romantic to see the Victoria
Memorial, I see old world charm when I pass through a north Kolkata alley and I become sad when I see somebody
pulling a hand-rickshaw in the twenty first century. I get a real harmony and see a colourful kaleidoscope in this
wonderful city where I first arrived as an outsider. One can't find a single characteristic about this city. It is truly
diversified by its nature. Perhaps these are the reasons that I never think to leave it. The city provides fuel to my
artistic thoughts and I am certainly alive because of it. Despite its difficulties and problems, Kolkata is still a city of
joy, pleasure, sorrow and moreover it is a city of hope.
This is not a story or documentary about Kolkata. No finite photo-essay could ever capture it. This is just a small
tribute to this historical city where I made myself complete.
A Christian priest praying at a city graveyard during All Souls Day.
A construction site on the eastern side of Kolkata. Recently Kolkata has seen enormous boom in the real estate sector.
A tram conductor leaning from a moving tram. The trams are a unique part of Kolkata’s public transport system - a
legacy from the British colonial era.
Reflection of commuters in central Kolkata during a political rally.
A rickshaw puller taking a rest. Kolkata is one of the few cities of the world where hand pulled rickshaws are still being
used.
An idol artist preparing an idol in the Kumortuli quarter of Kolkata. Kumortuli is famous for idol making during Durga
Puja, the biggest Bengali festival of the year.
A little boy worshiping at the river bank with his mother.
Tea stalls in a North Kolkata street.
A tram running through the Maidan area of Kolkata.
A group of sportsman exercising in the Maidan area of Kolkata in the early morning.
A young lady at the army ground during a vintage car rally.
People preparing food at a road side restaurant.
Flowers being sold at Mallick ghat flower market. Mallick ghat market is one of the biggest flower markets in Asia.
A labourer carrying raw materials at a construction site in Kolkata.
Labourers taking rest and having water at a construction site.
A man reading the Holy Koran at Nakhoda mosque which is one of the biggest mosques in Asia.
