Some threads never thin

'Hey, how was the journey? Missing them already?'

My spouse affectionately asked while a soundless Tesla, booked through Uber, picked us up upon my arrival at the Sydney Airport. As it cruised out to the roads, quietude enfolded us. I was walloped by the silence - as if I was thrust through a portal shutting me off from the familiar sounds and hues I was wrapped in a few hours back.

Cars honking, rickshaws blowing horns, autos and buses claiming lion's share of the roads, pedestrians gingerly managing with a sliver of what's left while accommodating apparently temporary stalls of fruit, flowers, veggies, tea and snacks stands, gigantic flyovers looming over the din - that sketched my 3-week stay in my beloved hometown - ever so vibrant, vivacious, variegated. 

What exactly was I missing? 

The clamour? The colours? The cacophony?

I shook my head till I found my answer - Kolkata - a name that tugs at my heartstrings. 

Some threads never thin.

How could they? They sew me in the firm fabric of family and friends. And Kolkata happens to be that thread.

From the moment I wheeled my baggage out of the arrival gate, two scrawny silhouettes - my elated elderly parents - rushed forward through the crowd letting everyone around them know my name and grabbed me, lest I get lost. Hugging me they headed for the hired yellow taxi, a quintessentially Kolkata vehicle, and tried pulling my bags, way heavier than them, in an effort to ease my woes from the long travel. 

Ensconced in the broad back seat, mum proffered my coveted vegetable chop, 'Babu, look what I got for you,' and I leant in, bereft of any hint of guilt in gorging on gut-unfriendly goodies. 

That just marked the start; the 21 days that followed were nothing but a blur. Attending a Rice Ceremony, scampering for a dip at Maha Kumbh, closing a few financial tasks at Hyderabad, congratulating a newly-wed loving young couple were weaved with meeting friends and treating close family ties. Little wonder I was hardly home, and so were my parents as they dovetailed with their dear daughter only to spend every moment together. Thus together we clung to the handbars of buses and metros, sat hand in hand in Uber taxis, frowned at the airline staff for not arranging our seats in a row, shared tea in bharh (small earthen cups), haggled to get the best deal for Gopal's elaborate dresses, proudly paraded through the gates of my alma mater after 25 long years, and shopped at South City Mall and Gariahut to enhance our ethnic wardrobe.

Special mention to my spouse and son for managing three weeks by themselves, thus facilitating and accommodating my solo trip!

Summarising succinctly, those 21 days were carefully crafted to curate this compendium that'd be treasured till my next jaunt to the town. Most of you, who I'd be sharing this with, lent an integral and unforgettable edge to it. Thanks to those who travelled from far to catch-up or called if they couldn't meet - there's always a next time! Here are the visuals from my visit, each one voicing its own story of the day.  

8th Feb: Transit through Changi

T3 - exploring the terminals using 3.5 hours layover

T1

T 2 - carpets tell the terminal numbers 

The Jewel from skyrail shuttling between T2 and T3

 Back to T3 to depart for Kolkata

9th Feb: Rice Ceremony gathering and lunch 

The gorgeous girls from mum's community, Ganpati Enclave; over the years, they have tied lasting ties

10th Feb: Kirtan at home

11th Feb: Dinner at Punjabi Rasoi with school buddies

12th Feb: 

Exchanging treats at Riyasat with mum's fabulous besties during lunch

Dinner at Parna's place: 

My lenses badly missed  the special moments and appetising dishes of squash cooked with prawn, prawn curry, fish curries, fish fries, and rice pudding impeccably prepared and laid with love and care by my old-time chum, Parna, and her cousin. The comfort and convenience of pick-up and drop off only speaks in volumes of their warmth, empathy towards my dad, and magic of bonds that have strengthened over decades.

13th Feb: Meet and eat at Hatari with family

An Infy connect with cousin's daughter-in-law

Earlier at Bada Kachari, and at home with my sister-in-law - my gratitude for her sincere efforts to visit us after a tiring day at work; thanks to the loads of yummy sweets and sncaks that'd eventually see us through the next two challenging days of Maha Kumbh

14th Feb: 25 years melt into oblivion when you meet your roommate and classmate; many thanks to this darling for managing to meet on her day of travel back to London! These conscious endeavours create extraordinary times and memories. 

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Matro Station - Returning from Kalighat

15th and 16th Feb: Maha Kumbh - a dip at Sangam was a feat in itself with 660 million (66 crore) flocking to the pilgrims' holy grail in a mere 6 weeks

Back from Maha Kumbh - an endeavour to fit all mum's friends in the same frame

17th Feb: Ma er Barhi at Bagbajar

I forgot my phone at home; so, photos of my aunts, who made their time for me to meet at Ma er Barhi are grossly missing. 

18th Feb to 21st Feb: Hyderabad 

Neo Mall - PC: Sarmistha 

Chilkur Balaji

Gachtola - a nostalgia I dote on

School connect - a lovely mum of my son's primary schoolmate during his brief time at DPS, Khajaguda

That brief time etched timeless bonds between a few families.

It's not just the perfect dinner, but the adda, laughter, and hospitality that'll be cherished forever

Before seeing Rupanwita and lunch at Sonali's - again, unfortunately, missing some pics here

B'bye Hyderabad 

22nd Feb: Congratulating the newly-wed couple with my bunch of happy Himsukhis

Finally there - a moment of delight that only we can feel

Thanks to Asita di and Himadri da for having us at their cosy home during the afternoon

A grand parure called Himsukh 

New mum-in-law on the right with her cool school pals

23rd Feb: A day for my cousins, and my sister-in-law at Santoshpur (missed feature photos of scrumptious lunch with raw jackfruit curry, hilsa, vegetables, and sweets, followed by birdwatching and peppered with plenty of chit-chatting at Santoshpur)

The cousins I grew up with as my siblings 

They are my pillars of a palpable childhood - partners in prattling, crime, and pure fun.

24th Feb: Kashipur Udyan Bati... 

... and chinwagging with school mates after three decades at Acropolis over momos and juices

25th Feb: Another school meet-up

That evening: My mum makes it a point to visit the respectable, elderly, and almost bound to bed acquaintances in her community. Once they strode, blessed, and cheered whenever I touched their feet; now, though senile and weak, they acknowledged my visit. I'm thankful to my mum for imbibing such rich life lessons in me.

26th Feb: Shopping Day at South City Mall and Gariahut 

27th Feb: More meet-ups and last-minute shopping

Himsukh hug I missed in earlier wedding gathering 

28th Feb: A significant day for 1999 Archi cohort

MoU was signed between Dean and our cohort representative to honour thesis topper with Sumana Memorial Award, named after a convivial college batch mate we lost too soon. 

The idea was hatched a couple of years back by our batchmate and current HOD Soumen Mitra, anchored by Sudipta Seal, and wholeheartedly supported by the 1999 cohort to the best of each one's capability. 

It's remarkable that this coincides with 75th year of our department and 25th year of our graduation.

For me, it was nostalgia coupled with exhilaration to walk through the Centenary Gate after 25 years. It was my mum who braved to check if I made to the the list of students that cracked JEE 1994, pinned to a board in the foyer of the main building. And to be there with her once again along with dad made the momentous milestone memorable forever. 

Four friends waiting eagerly to receive us - a homecoming 

HOD (our batchmate), Registrar (IIT, Kgp alumnus), Dean, chohort representative,  and four of us (from the left)

My parents could grace the event - a pleasure 

Incumbent HOD is our batch mate - a matter to gloat about

A stellar array of well-established entrepreneurs and architects with Prof Keya Mitra who held our young hands between 1994 and 1999 to walk us to the world of Architects

Back home, stargazing with mum's close neighbours was nothing short of sheer exuberance. We squinted locating the reddish Mars and Jupiter, burning bright in the inky sky, and searched in vain the other planets, supposedly lined up in a once-in-144-years phenomenon.

1st March: leaving home for home

Parting is heart-wrenching - no matter how many times you parted during the last three decades. I silently mouthed 'ma-baba' repeatedly and cried my eyes out behind a frail veil of my locks as SQ517 took to air. 

Till we meet again! 

Dona, Sydney, Mar '25

Fun Fact: Back at Sydney, my family, friends, and colleagues were exulted as I shared the 7 Kg joy from Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick that I carried with utmost care in my cabin baggage. Some are still consigned in the lowest rack of the fridge to eke out.