Formerly know as Calcutta in the days of the British Empire, Kolkata is the fourth largest city in India and holds its share of history and attractions for the adventurous tourist. The city has been home to a number of historical figures including Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and writer-director Satyajit Ray. The city is also considered the cultural capital of India with countless theatrical performances, music programs, art expositions and various other cultural activities happening daily across the city.

If you are interested in architecture, the north-central area of the city still houses a number of well preserved British Colonial-style buildings. The area is easily accessible from the metro line. If you get down at Central station you will find yourself in the heart of old British Kolkata. Or you might prefer to plan a walk from Esplanade metro towards Central metro station. Taking this route will take you past New Market, the largest in-door market in Kolkata. Here you can find virtually anything you could possibly want from computers to knitting needles to cheddar cheese.

New Market can be a tad hectic to navigate through if you tend to have a bad sense of direction. The aisles throughout the market lead you all over the place and you always seem to find yourself back at the beginning. Also, the porters, or coolies as they are called, can drive a person mad if you don’t know how to deal with them. These coolies will follow your every step throughout the market insisting that you let them direct you and to carry your purchases in large baskets that they carry on their heads. If you want their help, a Rs10 tip at the end of your shopping is sufficient. If not, just tell them so and ignore them. Be steadfast because they will follow you whether you want their help or not. Just stay calm and composed.

If the hustle and bustle of New Market sounds like too much to handle you might consider exploring some of Kolkata’s many art galleries. It is surprising to find such a vast assortment of modern art exhibits in such a traditional city. But I guess it is simply evidence of old Kolkata and modern Kolkata converging. You will find an array of small galleries across the city that can suit your thirst for anything from photography to dioramas. Check out Seagull Gallery at 36C S.P. Mukherjee Road. The gallery is just near the Kalighat metro station at the corner of S.P. Mukherjee Road and Rash Behari Avenue. It is relatively small but charming and is always updating its displays representing both local and internationally renowned artists.

For those of you who are cultural program lovers, Kolkata comes alive in the evenings with shows, concerts, and theater performances of every variety. Check in the local paper or online for the schedule of events at Rabindra Sadan, just a few minute’s walk from the Rabindra Sadan metro station.
Kolkata really does have something to satisfy everyone’s taste. Plus, the city’s visual displays of old Bharat and new India are all around. It is a cultural experience like none other that you will come across on your tour of India.

Lyndsey writes for briefcases , a website that offers luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer.  Lyndsey is currently living in Kolkata, India and studying the Bengali language in her free time.

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