Though I am not exactly brought up in Kolkata, but this is the city where I learned to fly,learned to swim... in a way, learned to carry myself . Kolkata, much like her belles, has a captivating charm about herself. You can leave the city, but you can't get the city out of your mind. And you realize this, only after you have shifted to some other place. Then all that you can do is, ride on the tram of your thought and take a detour of this "City of Joy". While I was doing so myself I ended up penning these lines which I feel like sharing with you. So I begin by dedicating these lines in longing memories of my home, Kolkata.
Tram Line of My Fondest Memories
Our sleeping city of lyrical dreams,
Awakened by the morning Azan;
Purged in the night’s rain
Like a baptised lass
Getting ready for the day:
Sari clad, a long plate
A bindi on the forehead;
Drenched by a fresh splash,
Smothered sari In mud and murk,
Like vibrant batik prints.
I miss the smell of you ,Kolkata:
Petrichor of my fondest dreams.
The mango smeared afternoons
Or hilsa foiled in banana leaves;
Resplendent riotous umbrellas
Saving all from the sun’s fury.
Green mango panna
Or shakes from Rallies.
Being kissed by your evening breeze
At Princep or at Outram ghat
With a friend and ghati- garam…….
I wish I could forever sweat
And feel soggy in your summer’s glory.
Adorned in jamdani,
Jewellery and perfumed peonies;
Welcoming Ma Durga and her family.
Your face glittering in the amber dusk,
Her face glowing in some ethereal gleam.
Our queueing up for Her one glance ,
At College Square, Ekdalia or Babubagan.
A zealous digression from mundane monotony:
Meeting old friends at Madox square,
Strumming the tunes of homecoming.
Oh Kolkata! How much I long to be
A part of this cacophony.
Sugar coated Park Street
Celebrating the birth of Christ;
Kindling lamps of joy and hope,
The mass at mid-night.
Singing hymns of universal peace,
In chorus we muse and frolic,
Time for plum cakes, wine and cherries.
Dear Santa! Could you bring me a gift?
The candies of my city’s serendipity!
Kolkata……
My heart shall always be with you,
The haunt of my fondest memories.
