Reading Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen is as good as I am roaming in Kolkata and experiencing the things in first hand. The storytelling is very impressive. On top of that, scenes and incidents description is classically driven as fluent as attending a flute recital by a perfectionist on that instrument. Each note very softly and smoothly opens up doors of imagination in such a way as if watching it happening in front of you what is written. Is that too much? No! I am dead sure there's something missing that I am not able to express in words. To understand that, you need to pick this lovely book and read it yourself while enjoying every nook and corner of the city of joy through each chapter of this book. This book, in fact, makes it a reality what legendary writer and Bollywood director from Calcutta said -
"Calcutta is beautiful. Wherever you place a camera, you get a vision."
Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen is just short of 70 pages, is a light read, and gives good insights about Kolkata. The chapters go in an alphabetical order where each alphabet picks a word that is close to the people and culture of the city. The first chapter itself gave me the localised meaning of the word ADDA, that has entirely a different meaning in north India and elsewhere. But if you are in Calcutta, there is no existence of any individual without an adda. I think, this is the only place where this word is taken in a most positive sense and is so close to the life and heart of the people living there. Similarly, a chapter on Howrah Bridge gave fabulous insights about it having a deep historical connection.
Well, are you aware of Puchka and Churmur. I knew the former but didn't know the latter. In a way, the book is a test of your knowledge about Kolkata, its people, and its rich culture. So, I recommend you just grab this book Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen to enjoy it thoroughly and enhance your fundamentals about Kolkata.
You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer - This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon)
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