Verandahs , were introduced by the Portuguese, though the word itself is of Indian origin as mentioned in dictionaries. In- between spaces, courtyards, verandahs stairways connected the outside world with the inside. The bustle of these spaces was defined by balustrades beautifully crafted in cast iron, embellished with decorative flowers, tassels, medallions or geometric designs […]
28th Sep 2023Heritage, - Events
My first coffee table book. An assignment for the Times of India for Genius Placement Consultants. I began unraveling the story of this Company and found a man who is an icon. An unsung hero. From Bihar he came to Calcutta at the age of 8 years. He sold vegetables and newspapers to support his […]
16th Sep 2023Books, My Resume
My mother, every morning sat at the kitchen window and had her cup of morning tea. Liquor tea, slightly sweet with a buttered toast. One day a crow came to the window and she snipped off a bit and gave it a piece. The crow gobbled it and flew away. A few days later the […]
19th Jul 2023Journals
- Odds and Bends
Rehaish aur Imaratein Having landed in Lucknow as we were driving to the hotel we passed many domed structures. My interest was piqued and the one surrounded by a “Bagh” I thought was antique, it was only a decade old. Then one found many such domes atop even modern structures. I guess that is […]
12th Feb 2023Lucknow ki Ada, Uncategorized
Raqs O Mausiqui Tour The first stop on this tour was Begum Akhtar ki Mazhar, newly done up by Sanat Kada. Her tomb was a mango orchard within her home, ‘Pasand Bagh’ and she was buried alongside her mother, Mushtari Sahiba. However, over the years, much of the garden has been lost to the growing […]
Lucknow ki Ada
Awadh, the birth place of Khayal, Thumri, Ghazal, Tabla, Kathak, Sozkhani, these traditions immersed in the socio cultural life of this place. Qawwali at Dargahs, Bhajans in temples, mujras, musical baithaks. We were regaled with stories of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and the operas at Parikhanas. There were discussions, workshops, installations, films and talks featuring […]
Lucknow ki Ada
Lucknow ki Ada, Raqs o Mausiqui was the theme. Music and Dance was alluring after having heard Askari sing of the glory of this beautiful city. Saaz, Awaaz, Tehzeeb ki mithaas filled my soul for four days. The Sanat Kada Festival started as a Craft Festival and is now eponymous with Lucknow. A showcase of […]
Lucknow ki Ada
Avantika Jalan is a change maker. She adopted an old house and made it her own. A rare breed of humans who are truly blessed. Lal Baari became Red Baari. It lives on! This is her foray into restoration Kaustav Bhattacharya a keen heritage lover wishes to showcase these gems. He called and we agreed […]
10th Feb 2023Issues
The Kotwara House is a part of the palace complex of Kaiserbagh, built by the last king of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah. The aura of the place, interiors and artefacts that adorn it, makes it no less than a living museum for craft with design. Each corner is thoughtfully decorated and curated by Meera and Muzaffar […]
Lucknow ki Ada
My Resume
We at Own The Past were brainstorming about Calcutta heritage and possible discussions we could organise. Navpreet Arora a true blue sardarni, a team member became the eureka inspiration. This and a Conversation with Raju Raman who spoke about the 3 beautiful paintings in the VM archives nailed the decision. The hunt began and we […]
12th Jan 2023My Resume
An appointment which is very prestigious, and a learning about design schools their curriculum and innovations. Stalwarts – Suranjan Lahiri, The Dean, Prof Samanta from the Dept of Jute Technology, The Senior Faculty from the Institute. An engaging afternoon
31st Dec 2022My Resume
Conservation, reuse is a laudable initiative. But a very difficult choice indeed! A conundrum with the RCTC property premises that is up for promotion. There are many angles to the project and we choose the one that is the loudest, which seems to sound correct. Correct may not be feasible. The EMAAR bid to make […]
10th Dec 2022Heritage, Issues - Ins and Outs
I was married into a “Bonedi” Bengali family with regal antecedents. Though we lived in South Calcutta, having come away from the North during the Naxalite movement, most of our relatives still lived there in aristocratic large grandiose homes, the opulence, music, laughter and gaiety of yesterday echoed as the occupants spoke of “those days” […]
09th Dec 2022Heritage
The Burrabazar Market locally known as China Bazar now Bagri Market was always a destination for buying firecrackers during Diwali. A wholesale market, once in a year shopping of plastic buckets etc, utensils, oddments was always done here. Attractive prices beckoned especially if one was shopping for a larger family for the year before Diwali, […]
07th Nov 2022Calcutta Cauldron
05082022_Kolkata Edition See Page 5 A day that honors contributions of a weaving community World Handloom Day Celebrated With Theme Of The Treasure Of Indian Weaves Honoring The Artistry Of The Weavers A day that honors contributions of a weaving community Honoring The Artistry Of The Weavers World Handloom Day Celebrated With […]
05th Aug 2022Media, Own The Past
National Handloom Day celebrates our Weavers. Handloom is essentially handwoven and requires the skill of a human being. A craft learnt over time, generation to generation. The Indian textiles and colour spectrum, the weaves, the embroidery edits, the print profiles. The saree does perhaps more justice than any other attire to the richness of our […]
Own The Past, Uncategorized
THE YOUTH – Today’s world demands people who are not only excellent at academics but are all rounded individuals, can communicate well, are aware of global issues, and can make a personal difference to the world with innovative and creative thought processes. It is not academic excellence but lateral thinking and alternative solutions that are the […]
26th Jul 2022Outreach - Causes, Heritage
I wrote a book! And I noticed the profusion of awards on the Media which enticed with glory and fame and visions of becoming a bestseller. Dream maker! They were all paid for. I signed up for one at a nominal cost and they immediately sent me a trophy and a picture. I was […]
Media
www.ownthepast.0rg We are a group of diehard Calcutta lovers who have come together to create a buzz about our heritage. To “Value our inheritance and critically re-use the past” Some of our Team members include Navpreet Arora – Fun on Streets, a walk through heritage of Calcutta Sohini Pyne – An Architect with a […]
03rd Jul 2022Outreach - Causes, Heritage
Bengal is a place which witnessed resurgence of learning, arts and creativity. Women also rose to fame in various spheres. Begum Rokkeya, Pritilata Waddedar, Bina Das, Matangini HAzra, Kadambini Ganguly, Rani Rashmoni. The list is quite endless of the women who were at the forefront. There was another breed of women who came from entitled […]
17th Apr 2022- The Bengal Story
I have always loved everything old. Be it textiles, wood, glass, art, traditions. A Heritage Collective started by some friends seemed an ideal place for me as I indulged my passion. A dilapidated building, The crumbling ruins speak of a family living together. The courtyard has probably witnessed many Pujas, weddings, bereavement. The Verandah brings […]
14th Apr 2022Heritage
British historian Philip Davies had once said of the Hooghly river that it is not just one Indian river, but belongs to the world. When ancient Greek mathematician and geographer Ptolemy was drawing up his map of the world in the 2nd century AD, he took care to mark the powerful kingdom he called […]
Publications, Heritage
Bengali entrepreneurs, their history goes back to Dwarkanath Tagore who acquired the Raniganj collieries in 1836 from an English agency house, Alexander & Co. This was followed with ventures for operating tugboats, steamboat services connecting Kolkata and Allahabad, and a steam-powered floating ferry across the Hooghly, mainly to use the coal that was mined. Dwarkanath […]
08th Apr 2022- The Bengal Story
The diversity of India’s corporate history, is peppered with names such as The Assam Company, Andrew Yule, Williamson Magor, Harrisons Malayalam, Bengal Chemicals, and His Master’s Voice. These were based in Calcutta, the biggest were managing agencies, holding companies that ran dozens of businesses. Andrew Yule, founded in 1863, managed 37 companies, including tea gardens, […]
- The Bengal Story
The ghosts of the past, Lessons never learnt Mirrors and reflections, an illusion – Maya Now you see it, Now you don’t An apparition, Time is the only sentinel Standing guard through eternity #oddsandbends #myqissaa #vibhamitra #lifegoeson #memories #writersofigthoughts #mask #wordswag #wordspinner #verseoftheday #randomthoughts
01st Apr 2022Rhymes and Times
2022 April Indus Valley World School – The Dalhousie Precinct 1st 2022 May Birla High School – Park Street and Free School Street Precinct 1st 2022 June Akshar School The Tollygunge Precinct 1st 2022 July Loreto Day School Bow Bazar Kumartulli 1st
30th Mar 2022- Editor, The CHC Journal
Labour of Love! – The CHC School Journal A dream to want kids to learn not rote learn. A leap of faith in my small way. Having been an educator, teaching Communicative English at Opus, a Test Prep for Law and Design entrances, I noticed with dismay the mechanical learning process of the classroom. The […]
- Editor, The CHC Journal
Chiaroscuro Black and white and greys Life as I see it Thoughtful, thought provoking Introspection Look back and look forward Lessons learnt Karma – we reap what we sow!
29th Mar 2022Rhymes and Times
With the Mughal conquest of Bengal zamindar became a generic title embracing people with different kinds of landholdings and rights. To achieve the goal of maximisation of public revenue and its punctual remittance, Murshid Quli divided the province into 13 chaklahs (administrative divisions) instead of the previous 34 sarkars and placed the smaller zamindars under […]
21st Mar 2022- The Bengal Story
Kolkata My Muse Moderated by Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee. Panelists Sabarna Roy, Marina Samuel, Prajwal Parjuly Thanks Sujata Sen and Paromita Ghosh of Candid Communication #myqissaa #vibhamitra #kolkatabookfair #kolkatadiaries #oddsandbends #KolkataBookFair2022 #Kolkatalitfest #kolkatamymuse #ilovekolkata #calcuttaheritage
18th Mar 2022- Now Profile, Media
The Maimed Mansions Of Calcutta Home to the most opulent, a lifestyle unimaginably grandiose, there are gems tucked away in every corner! The Stained glass, the Billiard Room and the Library. The four poster bed, The gorgeous chandeliers, the “Pankha”, the Gardens with the hum of the birds and the hibiscus. The lovers playing hide and […]
12th Mar 2022-Country Squire
The Nostalgia of New Market I love New Market (ergo Hogg Market) even today and would rather go there instead of shopping at the glitzier cousins the newer spiffy malls and arcades. I object to the superstore experience as they are not allowing consumers to choose, showcasing brands which probably are productive financially. New Market has […]
-Country Squire, Calcutta Cauldron, Heritage
Pics Courtesy Shruti Ghosh, Rajiv Soni Home to the most opulent, a lifestyle unimaginably grandiose, there are gems tucked away in every corner! The Stained glass, the Billiard Room and the Library. The four poster bed, The gorgeous chandeliers, the “Pankha”, the Gardens with the hum […]
09th Mar 2022Heritage
“You are a journalist and I am a prostitute!” This powerful line from the film Gangubai Kathiawadi encapsulates women empowerment. Of an individual, who is aware and doesn’t hesitate to proclaim a choice albeit unhappy, foisted on her by the world. This line screams the need for rights, recognition, respect and most importantly a need […]
08th Mar 2022Publications, Women
Gandhi, in my growing up years was just a grand man who got us our independence. A page in our History books. Much water has flown under the bridge I am now wiser and understand his vision, his way! A textile person now, I understand the importance of Swadeshi, the Charkha and Khadi. Khadi is […]
-Country Squire, Environment & Sustainability, Issues - Ins and Outs, - Causes Textiles & Artisans
The first edition launched in September 2021 and it continues! A germ of an idea and Ipsita and I started ideating. There was scepticism but we are dreamers and rush in where angels fear to tread. It would have been incomplete without our backbone Nikita who gives it life and sets it out so beautifully. […]
- Editor, The CHC Journal, Heritage
Bus Bas I was inching forward at the crossing of Lansdowne Road and Lansdowne Terrace, opposite Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, when boom a bus coming down at breakneck speed crashed into my left side and zoomed ahead regardless. The police on duty and bystanders rushed ahead and stopped the bus to reprimand him. Concerned that it […]
16th Feb 2022-Country Squire
The Literati Affair The Lit Fest has become an important winter activity in Kolkata. The schedules are perused. Shortlists are made according to author choices and venues. Packing a bag with food, water, books to read, and knitting it is a daily outing soaking in the sunshine and erudition. Dalrymple, Shashi Tharoor, Ruskin Bond, Devdutt […]
-Country Squire
Shortly after independence was declared, a constituent assembly elected by provincial assemblies drafted a constitution that would govern the newly independent nation. The founders took the best from the different countries of the world, compiled it and declared it on January 26, 1950. The country was officially known as the Republic of India, a […]
26th Jan 2022Journals, Heritage, Issues - Ins and Outs
बिना धूप खिली बड के नीचे ये दौर हमारा है अबला नहीँ सबल हम कौन उत्तम – मैं या तुम कोई आगे कोई पीछे? चलना है कदम मिला के जीत तभी जब हम, नर नारी तराने की गूंज एक ही सुर में मिला कर बढें मित्र सहारनपुरिया जया अमिताभ की ऊँच […]
24th Jan 2022Rhymes and Times
बिना धूप खिली बड के नीचे ये दौर हमारा है अबला नहीँ सबल हम कौन उत्तम – मैं या तुम कोई आगे कोई पीछे? चलना है कदम मिला के जीत तभी जब हम, नर नारी तराने की गूंज एक ही सुर में मिला कर बढें मित्र सहारनपुरिया जया अमिताभ की ऊँच नीच उनकी तू […]
26th Dec 2021Rhymes and Times
1971 will remain etched as India’s finest hour, a momentous occasion which gives us great pride, togetherness, purpose and the doing right by others. India created a new nation based on legitimate aspirations, defeated an enemy which has continued being an aggressive neighbour. It established itself as a strong independent nation with an effective role […]
16th Dec 2021Journals
Something that is so close to my heart. Talking of Indian Textiles! I have worn sarees with elan. Everywhere. The presentation at Amity was a full house and I was touched. A tad long but I enjoyed it tremendously. Some facts I forgot obviously, considering my age, however here it is
25th Nov 2021Media, Qissaa Conversations, - Textiles
The Class Distinction of Textiles – Taara and Taarika The Karuna Dolls being made by Disha, an NGO. Kakoli, Parvati, Mousumi and Krishna had made the original. The festive season was on and Bengal celebrates all with gusto. Kakoli and Parvati opted out due to family commitments. Mousumi and Krishna sportingly agreed to put […]
05th Nov 2021Karuna Dolls, - Textiles
I became a member of CHC, passionately in love with all things antique. I was introduced to Rajiv Soni, a quiet chap with a wry sense of humour. Over the years my respect for him has grown exponentially. He has a wealth of knowledge never incorrect. He is always happy to share and help out. […]
27th Oct 2021Qissaa Conversations, People
The site of old Fort William was located at the present GPO, the Eastern Railway Office, Custom House and the Government Office complexes on the banks of river Hooghly. The construction started at Sutanuti in 1698 and was completed in 1706. It was named Fort William in honour of the King of England. Though […]
19th Oct 2021- The Bengal Story
The nine plants of Nabapatrika represent nine Gods / Goddesses. These are the Banana plant (Goddess Brahmani), Colocasia plant (Goddess Kalika), Turmeric plant (Goddess Durga), Jayanti plant (Goddess Kartiki), Bel leaves (Lord Shiva) Pomegranate leaves (Goddess Raktadantika), Asoka leaves (Goddess Shokarahita), Arum plant (Goddess Chamunda), Rice paddy (Goddess Lakshmi) (Source: Free Press Journal)
04th Oct 2021Calcutta Cauldron, Heritage
A Diary Yarns to spin and stories to tell! Jottings of life sketches, the way I see it and connect the dots! The raconteur, jotter, rambler, muser! Sharing ins and outs, odds and bends, whatnots, anecnotes, points of view! Believe in miracles, an eternal optimist, love, laughter joie de vivre. ~ Vibha Mitra ~ A […]
03rd Oct 2021Books
Sipra Bhattacharya an artist of evocative imagery, colour and awe
18th Sep 2021AWE Women of Wonder by WICCI
The Pujas are here yet again. The streets lined with pandals in stunning bright colours the abode for Ma Durga for a few days. Bengalis probably wait the whole year for this celebratory festival. New clothes, food, bonhomie, chalking up a list of pandals viewed, gawking at the resplendent skill of the artisans. The […]
13th Sep 2021Calcutta Cauldron
Bonedi Baari Puja The year was 1757 just after the Battle of Plassey. Raja Naba Krishna Deb decided to celebrate Robert Clive’s victory by having a grand Durga Puja celebration. The autumn months, post monsoon, Rama praying to Shakti for victory against Ravana (akala bodhan , Durga is normally prayed to during spring, hence untimely […]
Calcutta Cauldron
Threads of Change We were three sisters and had no brothers, yet the festival of Rakhi held great prominence in our lives. In a joint family we celebrated grandly, dressed in finery, cooked and bought gifts to be exchanged with our cousins. Thread Rakhis were tied with some seriousness and we imagined this bond to […]
22nd Aug 2021Journals
Dipannita Acharya a powerhouse Baul singer has perfected her craft, snippets shared here with Paromita Ghosh of Candid Communications
21st Aug 2021AWE Women of Wonder by WICCI
Issues
2021 This will form a part of a free-to-access database by Takshila Educational Society, with ThinkArts as a collaborator, for schools, or organisations keen to arrange children’s festivals. Indian Storytelling Portal Extracted and contacted 320 leads of individual urban storytellers across the country Made contact with about 30 organizations related to storytelling Researched and documented […]
Goal Posts
BLOGGER AND CONTENT WRITER www.vibhamitra.com and on Facebook / Instagram
- Now Profile
In Hinduism, the goddess Tara (Sanskrit: तारा, tārā) is the second of the Dasa (ten) Mahavidyas or “Great Wisdom goddesses“, and is a form of Shakti. The word ‘tara’ also means star. In one of the many versions, the Earth’s landmass and water was created but the Sun was required to provide life force. Mahashakti took the form of Tara to arise and supply […]
Karuna Dolls
Karuna means compassion and when I was thinking of a West Bengal doll with a local flavor, the first option was the Goddesses revered. In Bengal the daughters are loved almost more than boys and are lovingly referred to as Lakshmi. The pantheon was quite vast Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Annapurna, Sheetala and some more. […]
Karuna Dolls
Born as a livelihood initiative post the first Covid19 lockdown by #CreativeDignity (CD), Karuna Dolls has become a network of women artisan groups that create fun expressions of hope in the form of collectible traditional Indian handmade dolls. With the support of all the Makers, Axis Bank Foundation, and Axtel Industries karunadolls.com is now live […]
- Creative Dignity
Opus Foundation outreach programmes Aasha Kiran for textiles and artisans MetR with special focus on Sunderbans Roshni and integrated support platform with special focus on livelihood programmes especially for women. We Care – To fight the aftermath of COVID19 we formed a group to feed the hungry. www.opusfoundation.org @opusfoundation on Facebook
Outreach - Causes
QISSAA BUDDY Calcuttas first Curated Shopping and Craft Tour Customised so that you can have a more fulfilling experience To your taste, wish list and budget. To make it easier To focus your time and activities Ask for form / Find on www.vibhamitra.com
- Now Profile
2016 – Till date QISSAA – a conceptual textile store specialising in handlooms. Saris, scarves, yardage, linen, knick knacks odds ends from the Indian diaspora. www.qissaa.com ( Off for the time being) Participated in Dastkar and Craft Council related events Organised many meaningful events on current trends and issues ~ Women Violence, Sunderbans, Tagore, Sustainable […]
- Now Profile
Lintas : Free lance Copyrighting in Hindi for some Ad campaigns Swayam : A NGO involved with Women’s Rights and Empowerment. In 1996 worked on a Research Project Gender and Judges
Goal Posts
Education 2006 Exec MBA from Indian Institute of Management Joka 1987 Llb from Calcutta University 1986 Passed the Chartered Accountancy Exam Cleared both Inter and Final in the first attempt and secured an All India rank – 33rd in the Inter Exam 1982 Graduated from Loreto College 1979 Finished Schooling from Modern High School for […]
Uncategorized
I have always worn sarees . Loved wearing them. Worn them unabashedly everywhere. Kids who find it uncool should relook at it as an option. It can be oomphy. It reveals the midriff, the back, it can be a hipster! We all have family sarees, nani, dadi sarees. Memories fond and maybe not. Sharing saree stories. […]
Qissaa Conversations
My earliest memories of Bazaars are clinging to my mother’s saree and noticing with awe all the goodies around me. I guess my choices were shaped by her choices and we share a connect in apparels and lifestyle. I grew up discerning fabric quality, colours and designs. It was never the first shop or product. […]
Qissaa Buddy
Lakshmikantpur near Diamond Harbour. The Wheel goes round – for the Potters here Lakshmikantpur near Diamond Harbour is a village of pristine beauty. Green and close to nature. Verdant trees, water bodies, largely untouched with modern gizmos. Yet the mud houses speak of poverty. The people, for generations have been primarily potters. Utensils for occasions, […]
22nd Jun 2021- Causes Textiles & Artisans
Panitar a village in Basirhat on the Ichhamati River Basirhat is a city and a municipality in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. It is located on the banks of the Ichamati (Ichhamati) River. Basirhat has a long history of farmer’s movements like the Tebhaga movement. It is on the border of Bangladesh. It is a part of […]
20th Jun 2021Environment & Sustainability
Year 2021 -Jyoti Vihar turns 51, celebrating the 71st anniversary of the founders. Time rolled back many years when we trooped there to have Idlis and Dosas. The softest Idlis, the Dosas are almost melt in your mouth, Vadas crisp exterior and soft inside. The chutney and sambhar are unmatched in taste. The other items […]
15th Jun 2021Calcutta Cauldron
I received this delightful gift a few weeks ago. At home we often discuss the existence of God. The duality of Bhakti and the tenets of our faith. The book was spirited away by others and I retrieved it some days ago. Thereafter my journey began into the world of this magnificent human / GOD. […]
- Books, People
This gorgeous shield and cup sit resplendent in my living room. In a non sporting family? Yes, the story goes back to a century or more ago. When my mother in law died about ten years ago I received a bag of assorted things. Among them was some silver cutlery, fondue forks, olive spoons and […]
05th Apr 2021Heritage, My Diary - Me and mine
Firelight, The Chiaroscuro of light, shadows and darkness. Embracing life
22nd Mar 2021Heritage, - Events
