To find monuments
in Kolkata city is a bit tedious. The city has a historical
existence of less than 400 years and during this time
there was not any erection or construction of memorial
structures as are found in other cities. However, there
are few buildings and places, primarily built by the British
Power, that fulfill this very requirement in the region.
The monuments of Kolkata city as such reflect the Western
influence on the city and on the country itself. Popular
examples of such monuments are Victoria Memorial, Fort
William, Writers' Building, General Post Office.
Howrah Bridge
Popularly known as the Rabindra Setu, Howrah
Bridge is an engineering marvel and is counted amongst
the busiest cantilever bridge in the World. Observing
a daily traffic of about 60,000 vehicles and innumerable
pedestrians, Howrah bridge have equalled its position
to Sydney Harbor Bridge. But the later can never dream
of such a traffic. The bridge connects Kolkata and Howrah
and is the lifeline of the city. The best way to enjoy
its stately beauty is to view it from the middle of the
river.
History :
Constructed in 1939 and the bridge was opened to traffic
in 1943 which cost as estimated Rs.333 crores, built from
26,500 tons of steel. It is a sort of 'Cantilever bridge'.
In it cantilevers project from piers and are connected
by girders. Erected during World War II to give Allied
troops access to the Burmese front, replacing an earlier
pontoon bridge that opened to let river traffic through.
Essentially, it had two portions. For the convenient
plying of man and traffic, the pool was connected as
a whole. However, the bridge was unfastened everyday,
particularly during night for steamers, boats and other
aquatic vehicles to ply. From 19th August, 1879, the
bridge was illuminated by fixing electric poles at the
centre. This was done by using the electricity rendered
from the dynamo at the Mallick Ghat Pumping Station.
The Bridge was then 1528 ft. long and 62 ft. wide. On
both sides were pavements 7 ft. wide for the sake of
pedestrians. The 48 ft. road in between, was for plying
of traffic.
Today's Scenario :
The eight-lane bridge carries a steady flow of more
than lakh vehicles and 2 million commuters every day.
The best way to enjoy its stately beauty is to view
it from the middle of the river where photography is
strictly prohibited. The ferries running from below
Howrah Station are a more convenient way to cross the
river and give a good view of the bridge.
Links :
The busy Rabindra Setu or Howrah Bridge connects the
city to Kolkata's Burrabazar. A second bridge - the
Vidyasagar Setu connects south Howrah to the Kolkata
Maidan.
The monuments
of Kolkata city are some of the few preserved records
of the colonial rule over India. These monuments
takes us to the times when expatriates established
their rule in the country. The monuments are open
history books on whose pages is written the plight
of India under foreign dominion. For historians
and those interested in modern Indian history these
places are more than monuments. Shaheed Minar is
one such example of the monument.
Besides the monuments erected by the British there
are few other structures that present the beauty
of the bygone era. There are some temples and mosques
in Kolkata that can be literally called as monuments.
Saint Paul's Cathedral, Paresnath Jain Temple, Kali
Temple, Presnath Jain Temple are some popular worshipping
places that also bear the impressions of the past
and historical importance. |
BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square)
BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square) is located just south
of Howrah Bridge.
About BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square)
When Kolkata was the administrative centre for British
India, BBD Bagh was the centre of power. It is a square
area built around the old Lal Dighi tank which exists
till date. It was later called the Tank Square and then
the Dalhousie Square. Now it was renamed after Benoy,
Badal, and Dinesh, three freedom fighters who were hung
by the British during the protests against the partition
of Bengal in 1905. The tank in the centre, fed by natural
springs, is said to have supplied Charnock with drinking
water.
BBD Bagh and its surrounding roads and areas like Netaji
Subhash Road, Biplabi Trailakya Maharaj (formerly Brabourne)
Sarani, Lyons Range, India Exchange Place, Mission Row,
R.N. Mukherjee Road and Fairlie Place form the older
commercial hub of the city.
Rabindra Sadan/Nandan
Rabindra Sadan is situated at the junction of A.J.C.
Bose Road and Cathedral Road and Nandan, a theatre behind
Rabindra Sadan is Kolkata's place of cine culture.
About Rabindra Sadan
Rabindra Sadan is the seat of Bengali culture, where
every evening drama, cultural programmes & exhibitions
are held. Rabindra Sadan is Kolkata's place of culture.
Foundation stone was laid on 8.5.61 by the late Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. And started its functions
from Oct., 1967. It has been erected a mark of homage
to Gurudev Rabindranath through the relative branches
of performing arts.
Nandan movie theaters
Nandan is one of the best movie theaters in India, situated
near the Victoria Memorial which is a cultural centre
for film enthusiasts and professionals. Nandan run by
the West Bengal Government shows that when the government
wants it can do things right. The Rabindra Sadan and
Sisir Mancha (both auditoriums) are situated next to
Nandan. The Academy of Fine Arts and Pashchim Banga
Academy are also in this complex. The Calcutta Information
Center is nearby making this the cultural zone of Calcutta.
Home to filmmakers Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak,
Kolkata breathes films. Kolkata's cineastes are a breed
apart. Hours spent debating the merits and demerits
of Eisentein's montage or La Dolce Vita is considered
time well spent. People camp overnight outside ticket
counters during film festivals to get hold of tickets.
Keeping in mind this large number of quality audience,
the state government has constructed Nandan, the West
Bengal Film Centre. Flanked by Rabindra Sadan, Bangla
Academy, Sisir Mancha and Kolkata Information Centre,
Nandan is a unique cultural centre without a parallel
in the country. It was inaugurated by Satyajit Ray in
1985. Nandan I is the main auditorium with a capacity
of over 1100. There are two mini auditoria, Nandan II
and III. There is a seminar and conference hall (Nandan
IV). The film complex also houses the Satyajit ray Film
Archive, Ritwik Memorial Library and a film vault. Recently,
a permanent exhibition of antique film and audio equipment
has been installed at Nandan.
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