People of Bengal: West Bengal, Bangladesh…whatever. Same people with the same language? Somehow true…but different religions? Very true this time. One has wait until coming to Calcutta (Kolkata), the quintessential city of Bengal: the cultural capital of all India. A vibrant city with a distinct socio-political culture, Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the independence days , to the comunists (who are in power for over 40 years now) and unions movements- which in 2 seconds they paralyse a 14 milion people city with their hartals.
First impessions count very much when it comes to a city. For me was: Uha!, yes, i like that, look at that!, Hello from everywhere. Smiles, real ones, food stalls , people everywhere, the only place in the world to still find men pulled rickshaws. The people make the place said someone: All true. I have to say I love this place. The human touch is here. Finally…in India. I switched my camera to white&black and start shooting. This city is about its people. Their faces is what you’ll remember when you leave. You remember how in the middle of Calcutta there are hundreds of dhabas serving food for everybody: elbow by elbow-lawyers, policemen, richshaw wallahs, coolies, foreigner travelers, govt peons….etc. The good vibe is all there, above the poverty and all the existing problems the people face.
* I didn’t put the exclamation sign in order not to be confused with the the world’s longest Running erotic stage musical. Which is brilliant also>
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