Is Kolkata still the Cultural Capital of India?

Cultural Capital as described by Bourdieu in his book “The Forms of Capital” [1986] forms of knowledge, skills, education and advantages that a person has, which give them a higher status in society.

He has further distinguished cultural capital in three sub-types:

•Embodied or inherited/acquired through socialization

•Objectified or physical objects that are owned

•Institutionalized or consisting of institutional recognition

By the above description by Bourdieu, we may say that Kolkata is truly deserves the Title to be the Cultural Capital of the Country. Time and again Kolkata’s love for art, music, and literature and various other fields have crowned her to be the Cultural Capital of India.

Some of the aspects that Kolkata still stand out in terms of Culture are as follows:

Art:

Kolkata is known for the various displays of arts and forms of painting. The masters like Nandalal Basu and Abanindranath Tagore during the British Era is well recognised for their works of Art. 

In modern Kolkata many art galleries like The Academy if Fine Arts still displays Thousands of Paintings like modern art, music water colour paintings, and portraits a few various other types of arts in this modern era from across the globe.

Literature:

Literature in Bengal especially Kolkata have seen various litterateurs in the form of Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattyopadhay, Manik Bandhopadhay and many more. Kolkata is well-known for its great contribution in the aspect of literature during the British Rule. 

Even in this modern era books of litterateurs have not faded away but has evolved this new sense of love for these classics. Sunil Gangopadhay, a modern day who passed away recently is also an example of literature idol.

Music:

When it comes to music Kolkata may be stated as the paragon of Indian Culture. Since the early times the folk songs like ‘বাউল সঙ্গীত’ have been a growing fantasy for many people. Songs written by Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and various other writers are still sung in various stages across the city and even around the world.

Co-operation and spirit of brotherhood:

The Kolkatans are known for their sense of neighbourhood or ‘পাড়া’ culture where people from similar neighborhoods join together to play games and do many social activities together and also form clubs. They are also known for their aggressive commuting though with a sense of humour. Every evening people join together in the porches or tea shops and are indulges with various topics relating to the world.

Cinema and Theatres:

While in terms of commercial movies Mumbai leads among the Indian States, but in terms of Art movies in Kolkata are well-known in the Country. The past history of Indian Movies had stalwarts like Satyajit Ray, and the Ritwik Gathak, Mrinal Sen who are the paragon in movies still now. Kolkata Film Festival, held annually across various theatres in the city serves to the taste of Kolkata’s people for cinema from over the world. 

Even the theatre culture, mostly in the dying stage in the country, is very common to the Kolkatans. There are many theatres in Kolkata still actively hosting theatre shows in the city.

Cuisine:

The Kolkatans are known for their very popular sweets the like of Rosogolla (রসগোল্লা) and Misti Doi (মিষ্টি দই) are famous across the country and even all oven the world. Kolkata has also been termed to be the ‘Father of Rosogolla’. 

Fuchka, Jhalmuri and Roll are famous among the street food culture in Kolkata. Kolkata is also known fit serving all types of cuisines that are there in the world.

Language:

Bengali spoken among the Bengal is are also very famous across the country and it is known for its sweetness in its accent. Bengali is the 7th most spoken language in the world.

Transportation:

The most popular among transport in Kolkata are the hand-pulled rickshaw originating from China, Kolkata’s Underground Metro Railways and Tram brought by the British. Everyday lakhs of travellers travel across the city through these transport mediums. 

The latest ‘Toto’ brought in by the present Government is also an addition to the new modern transport medium that is availed by the citizens of Kolkata.

Decline of Kolkata’s Cultural Heritage:

The modern generation have disrespected most if the cultured that has been inherited by Kolkata over the years. The people are very much influenced by the western culture and are mostly drifting towards use of western ideas. 

People in Kolkata prefer English over Bengali whole speaking and even are shifting to abroad for better education and jobs leaving Kolkata and its ever glorious culture.

But should Kolkata remain to be the Cultural Capital in India when cities like Varanasi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu and others are closing in to be crowned as the Cultural City is a big question. In this note it can be stated that India is a cultural neckless with many bids of culture in it but the tread that joins the necked is undoubtedly Kolkata.

Thus it may be concluded in the words of Sri Amitabh Bachchan “Kolkata remains the Cultural Capital of India” as stated in the Kolkata Film Festival.