SHUBHO NOBO BORSHO!!! (HAPPY NEW YEAR)

Yesterday was 14 April and according to the Bengali Calendar was the beginning of the new year 1419.

I visited one of my favourite temples in Shivaji Park, Dadar.

The ambience was just amazing - nice weather, shady below the trees, light breeze blowing, people of all ages greeting each other, just enjoying the feeling of nostalgia and purity of the ending of another year and beginning of a new one.

Just wondered? Why do people come to temples or places of worship on the new year?

Every year brings with it new hopes, dreams and ambitions. With the coming of every year we hope to let go of the baggage of the past and pray that the coming year be one of happiness and fill ourselves with joy and bless our lives to the fullest.

Though, now technically no one solely follows the Bengali calendar due to mix of traditions and east-west integration.
But we do look at the new year as an opportunity for a new start and new hopes and dreams and all.
Like they say that Morning is the prelude to the day, guess poila boishakh is a prelude to the coming year...

Movie opinion - Kahaani

I recently saw Kahaani starring Vidya Balan. Must say one of the better Hindi movies I have come across in the recent past.
Vidya who is seemingly pregnant in search of her husband leads you through the streets of Kolkata (where u can hear many background dialogues in Bengali)and while you slowly get accustomed to Bengali culture (like having 2 names, saree style etc) you get entangled in a plot of intrigue, suspense and thrill.

What I loved most was the ending (spoiler! Alert).. When she suddenly changes her avataar from the helpless pregnant woman to quick, agile, and destroyer of the Villain.. and with Durga Puja going on in the background could easily be mistaken for the modern avataar of Maa Durga vanguisher of evil in the 21st century..

Must say was a great plot and beautifully executed and great acting and versatility by Vidya Balan.

Hope to come across more movies like this