The Cultural Ghost is Haunting North Kolkata
We call it “Bhoot,” not Ghost.
If you carefully examine both terms, you may know the difference between these two words.
This is in North Kolkata. It serves as the cultural and educational centre of bygone eras.
Boomers definitely know the cultural significance of this place. The north side of Kolkata was famous for its British structures, old buildings, and century-old schools and colleges.
The college street, also known as the “Boi Para” (book market), continues to maintain its significance. The narrow lanes and heavy traffic make the area crowded all six days in a week.
On Sundays, the area loses its flavor. The locals are busy with the “Sunday Special Bazaar” (a local shopping place for vegetables, fish, etc.).
The famous streets are Muktaram Babu Street, Bagbazar, Hedua, and Maniktola. These lanes are renowned for their distinctive “Para Rowak.” People used to gather here to engage in discussions about various topics.
It’s a lazy Sunday morning. Sometimes dazzle pours a drop of rain on the old Rowak. In general, people call it “rock.”
Rowak culture resembles the Adda “conversation.”
The term “conversation” cannot adequately convey the deeper meaning of Bengali adda. In Bengali, adda means something more. A group of people from the same age group gather together to discuss, debate, and talk about various matters.
It’s not as serious as it sounds, but it is definitely serious!
The subjects range from football to cricket, literature to politics, and from movies to scoops.
There are a lot of subjects.
People exchange views among themselves, sometimes at a high volume and tempo.
Sunday is a special day for Adda. In the morning or in the evening, you can see a group of people discussing and arguing.
“Cha” (Tea) was an integral part of this Adda.
Many who couldn’t join the adda, especially the ladies of the houses, criticised it and called it “Rockbaji” or “Addabaji.”
But who cares?
“We only have one Sunday each week. Adda is our right. Not legally, but more than that.”
It is the cultural custom of Bengali males.
For more than a century, Adda has become an integral part of society. It represents North Kolkata’s cultural identity. Mobile internet was not there. Adda was the only way to communicate and share your views and opinions in front of your fellow neighbours.
The Adda holds democratic rights. Each person follows this rule.
The unwritten rule is to respect each individual’s democratic rights. You may agree or disagree on any topic, and you can say it directly to your fellow group members. However, listening to others was Adda’s other idiosyncrasy.
Listening to others is a beneficial practice. It teaches you to be patient. Bengali adda gives you this virtue. These days, we miss it a lot.
One lazy Sunday discovers rocks have vanished!
Multi-store buildings and high-rise construction razed those old, lazy structures.
And socialising? Many people stopped it, undoubtedly. Smart phones and tablets have become the dominant mechanisms for socialising.
Wow, what a gizmo!
The Zoomers are no longer interested in preserving Bengal’s traditional cultural identity — the Adda culture. Most people like virtual mediums with segregated conversations.
G-zen doesn’t want to talk.
Discussion? Nope.
Social media captures our attention. People engage in discussions on various social media platforms. They comment, but in virtual form. They know each other, but not personally.
Sometimes, in North Kolkata, if you visit here and there, you still feel people discussing and arguing. Sitting calmly and coolly on those vanished Rowaks.
Placing orders from the old, tiny tea stall. Sometimes you can hear the talk!
It seems like a spooky place. Something ghostly!
What is this? dust of our old heritage
The Addabaji!
