Bengalis are known to be ambitious eaters, whether its a luchi in the morning, Mutton in the afternoon or a fish fry in the evening - the mouth of an average bong is seldom empty. Thus, through the rich three hundred years of this city, food got intertwined with the history of the city.

Monks are the last people to inhabit the imaginations of your brain when talks about rebellion take place. How can these peace loving, calm and happy individuals ever display an iota of dissatisfaction at the order of the universe ? Well, as it turns out, certain historical scenarios made being complicit an option not available. This is one such story.

Throughout history we have many examples of film industries and the creative spectrum being held hostage by the state. Whether it is the German film industry during the Nazi regime or the Italian film industry during Mussolini’s time. This story might just be the exception.

The Victoria Memorial is almost synonymous with the City of Joy. It sits in the middle of the city like a big white marble block oozing out elegance and grace. However, its history has both shades of black and white attached to it.

From Crispy Chilli Corn, Schezwan Chicken, Stir Fried Veggies to Hakka Noodles, Cantonese Chow Mein and Burnt Garlic Fried Rice - the history of all of these dishes and more is one of poverty, deprivation and migration. The Chinatowns of Kolkata are the birthplace of modern Indo-Chinese Cuisine.

India has had a rocky economic history, to say the least. Throughout the years, it has managed to adapt itself to the changing time and ethos. In the beginning, the newly born nation-state was trying to manoeuvre its way around the anvils of Nehru Socialism with considerable negotiations and hiccups. By 1991, it had broken through that chasm and thrown its economy open to the world to invest in. This was the third phase of Indian economic dealings.

More than relying on codified history, India has had a long tradition of passing down stories and cultural ruminations through songs and poems. Each such work of art is a gem in its own itself and has a thousand different histories related to it. The story behind Duma Dum Mast Kalandar is one of fascination.

Meeting at the confluence of Free School, Camac Street, Russel Street, and Middleton Row lies Park Street - a place where the people of Kolkata come to get away from the crushing wheel of post modern life. This is a place where time slows and good food along with good music take to become the priority.

Gary Oldman won his first Oscar for acting as Winston Churchill in a film called “The Darkest Hour”. Among other things, the film was lauded for its historical accuracy. Nowhere does this film mention Winston Churchill’s personal role in creating a manmade famine in Bengal in 1943. This is the story of the “Forgotten Holocaust”.

I am pretty sure that on a sweaty school day one might have flipped through the pages of their history books glancing over excruciating and unnecessary details about Mesopotamian Civilization and wondered “What’s the freaking meaning of this mumbo jumbo that is being shoved down my throat?” Here is the answer.