Kolkata Cluster
Hand-pulled rickshaws are still found in some parts of Kolkata. Its nostalgic to see these rickshaws, which are gradually decreasing with the advent of the paddled and the auto versions. The hand-pulled rickshaws have been a legacy of the city, just like the Marxist hammer & sickle symbol seen on the wall. This photo was taken in June 2012 in Kolkata (Calcutta), India.
Death beds waiting for sale at the side of a road in Kolkata, India. The dead bodies are carried to the cremation sheds on these wooden beds by the section of people in the Hindu society who can not afford a fancier last ride in a hearse. The crow, taking rest, as if symbolizing a connection between the mortal and the dead.
This saloon in the bylanes of Kolkata, India, reminds me of those bygone days. With the modern day air-conditioned parlours these basic saloons seem to be a story of the past, but these kind of little corners in the city help me to transition back to my childhood days and enjoy moments of nostalgia. This photograph has found its place in the book "The Quintessential Grooming Guide For The Modern Gentleman" by Capt. Peabody Fawcett for "The Barbering Experience"
The water carriers (called Jal Bhari in Bengali) are still seen in some parts of Kolkata, India. They carry water from a good source to households nearby on a daily basis. Interesting observation was how the colours of the city were changing with the change of the older ruling communist party - from red, the city was getting the touches of blue, observed even in the rudimentary can of the water carrier and the roof of the hand pulled rickshaw, which is typical of Kolkata.
The green wooden window shutters (called kharkhoris in Bengali) are becoming an object of the past as they have fallen out of favour in the era of high-rises. In the northern parts of Kolkata (India) walking through the bylanes we can still find those old majestic buildings with the wooden shutters. The old lady in sari and the red hammer and sickle of the previous ruling communist party are so characteristic of the city.
The modern and the old blends together at many places in the city
