From Calcutta to Kolkata – The Journey of City of Joy

10 Mar, 2020

Kolkata, famously known as Calcutta for the longest period, is the dominant urban centre of eastern India. Kolkata has grown into a city of sharp contrasts and contradictions. It had to absorb strong European influences and overcome the limitations of its dependent legacy in order to find its own uniqueness.

Modes of entertainment

A multitude of institutions are currently available to enrich its citizens to entertain and unwind. But there was no organized arrangement of entertainment until the rise of theatres in Kolkata in the 19th century which also gave acceleration to multiple developments around their locations. The areas around the theatres attracted demand and were considered posh, increasing the value of that particular locality.  

The Star Theatre, situated on Bidhan Sarani, earlier known as Hati Bagan, near Shyam Bazar was incepted mostly as a hub to address social issues during the British rule. It is one of the heritage buildings of Kolkata where live plays brought revolutionary awareness within people. Over the years, that area has seen the emergence of colleges and shopping destinations. The National Theatre Hall on Utpal Dutta Sarani, Ram Bagan and The Bina Theatre Hall on Bidhan SaraniCollege Street are few other renowned theatres that gave an opportunity to art-lovers in those days.

A similar trend was observed when Museums were established in the city. The construction of the museums attracted a major crowd towards it and became a huge source of entertainment in that era. The Indian MuseumPark Street has been doing the same for a much longer period now. It also resulted in the establishment of markets, shops and restaurants around the area.

Next was the Single Screen Cinema Halls that gained popularity amongst the Kolkatans as soon as they were set up in those days. 

Some of the oldest and popular Single-Screen Cinema Halls were:-

  • Chaplin Cinema, Hogg Street - was one of the oldest cinema halls in Kolkata.
  • Globe Cinema - is a heritage building located on Lindsay Street.
  • Jyoti Cinema, Lenin Sarani - had created a sensation by screening 70 mm films in 1970 but was closed in 2008.
  • Metro Cinema, Esplanade - opened its doors in 1935 and soon became a central hub for entertainment in Kolkata.
  • New Empire- located in Humayun Place, New Market.
  • Roxy- once an Opera house, this place was converted into a movie theatre in 1940. It is located in Esplanade.
  • Priya Cinema, Rashbehari - opened in 1959 is running successfully even now!

These modes of entertainment continued until the evolution of Malls in India. Kolkata, being no exception, experienced the same face of change. The malls started attracting crowds for entertainment purposes and also become new hubs for residential projects. This gave a boost to local development in the respective areas.

Some popular Malls in the city are - 

  • Forum Mall, Elgin Road - a hub for the students of Bhawanipur college is also considered a one-stop destination for fashion lovers.
  • City Centre, Salt Lake - is surrounded by eateries like Bhikharam, Aqua Java and other famous restaurants like Kafilaa, K Local etc.
  • South City MallPrince Anwar Shah Road - another posh mall near Tollygunge, the backyard of the mall houses a premier residential property - South City Apartments.

The entertainment game changed entirely with this evolution, shifting the major focus of development activities from areas in the vicinity of theatresmuseums and single-screen cinema halls to shopping malls.

Transportation

Kolkata is the only city in India that protects its legacy when it comes to transportation. It believes in progression without having to compromise with its heritage.

Running since 1902, Kolkata has the only tram network currently operating in India. Although it is obsolete and used mostly for amusement purposes, the city decides to carry on the endowment along with the oldest modes of transportation including metrosblue/red busesyellow taxis and hand rickshaws

Keeping the old modes intact, the city expanded its dimensions to accommodate newer ones. In the present scenario, App-based taxis like Uber, Ola, Meru Cabs, etc.AC BusesAC Metros and Auto rickshaws have taken a major shift in the transportation world of Kolkata.

This deviation from the old modes of transportation's to the new advanced ones not only changes the whole synopsis of the city but also expresses the rapid change in a common person’s choices.

Connectivity 

Though previously conveyance and connectivity was not very smooth, but at present this has become at par with any major metropolitan Indian city. 

The AJC Bose Road Flyover is a 3 Kilometre long flyover that connects Park Circus with Race Course. It was the second flyover of Kolkata and the first long-distance one that made travelling convenient for people.

The construction of MAA Flyover is the perfect example of the fastest and longest connectivity within the city. Joining the two opposite corners with one single flyover, this considerable movement has brought a drastic change in the intra-city connectivity and eliminated major traffic snarls. From Park Circus to E.M Bypass, this is 9.62 kilometres long flyover completed and opened on 9th October 2015. 

Some other long-distance connecting flyovers to open in recent years are:-

  • Sampriti Flyover  (2019) - connecting Jinjira Bazar with Batanagar.
  • Garden Reach Flyover (2018) connecting Diamond Harbour with Brooklyn crossing.

The newly opened East-West Metro, also known as Metro Line 2 will become India’s first underwater metro tunnel along with the deepest metro shaft when it is fully commissioned. It is a rapid transit line of Kolkata Metro that connects Salt Lake Sector V with Howrah via Esplanade,  going underneath the Hooghly River. Currently, it is running between Salt Lake Stadium and Sector V. When completed it would consist of 17 stations, both elevated and underground ones. It will provide a fast connecting link between to opposite sides of the city.

With changing time, the city has adopted a more advanced and nuclear pattern of living, leaving behind the conventional ones. Things have evolved in the city and going forward there would be further evolution in the lifestyle of this city. But the heart of Kolkata will always buzz with love and joy!

Tag

  • From Calcutta to Kolkata
  • The Journey of City of Joy