Quick Review: The Epic City

    • TNN
    • Publish Date: Sep 14 2017 12:00PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Sep 14 2017 12:00PM
Quick Review: The Epic City

Kushnava Choudhury's "The Epic City: The World on the Streets of Calcutta" is an ode to the city of joy, a love letter to nostalgia and sepia tones. The book is the author's non-fiction debut celebrating the city's most authentic vigour and vivacity.

Unlike Dominique Lapierre's 'City of Joy', that delves in the hated practices and gives a vivid account of the street dwellers, hawkers, and beggars of the city, The Epic City comes further away and deals with a happier theme, with middle-class intellectual Bengali babus , the colonial streets of North Calcutta, and the veneer of nostalgia that wraps the city and her fans. 

Chaudhury's selection of the word "Calcutta" in the title instead of Kolkata is a deliberate measure to capture his umbilical attachment to the city, at the time when it was only Calcutta, a name he can identify as home. It is one the very few travelogues that actually showcases the essence of a city and its cultural charm. Choudhury's depiction of Calcutta is fun, heartfelt, and real to its core.

Written in the first person, the book takes the reader in an endearing journey through the alleys adorned with British-era buildings, the theatre street, office para (Esplanade), book street (College Street) and establishes a connection between the reader and the city. But, never does Chaudhury seem melodramatic, or overwhelmed with nostalgia. His depictions are honest, charming, and relatable to every one of us who do not wish to belong to a particular land, but will never have the heart to cut our strings with the homeland.

Recommended By Colombia

Kushnava Choudhury's use of short, direct sentences feeds us with important bits of information. Choudhury admits unabashedly how Calcutta is often seen as a dead city compared to the quick industrial and economic progression in other metropolitan cities of India. However, he also understands the sentiment and touches upon the subject describing how Calcuttans can easily identify with the idealised version of the past rooted in history, culture, and literature, and are also doggedly hell-bent on moving forward. Calcutta, the city, is actually a symbol of that balance.

How critics view the book

William Dalrymple writes in The Guardian , "Kushanava Choudhury's beautifully observed account of life in the West Bengal metropolis is full of humour and wonder".

DailyO writes, "Kushanava Choudhury's The Epic City: The World on the Streets of Calcutta is a book to fall in love with, just like the city he writes about."

Q: Readers do authors do a good job when they write about their favourite city? Can you tell us about a great book where the author made you fall in love with a city? 

More From BOOKMARK...

Comments

Hemalatha.G Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary Scho

I think so! I fell in love with Srinagar after reading Nilima Sinha''s book "5 mystery stories". This was the first book which inspired me to learn novels. I would like to visit Srinagar! Great Author!

Dilsher Singh Chatha Bhavan Vidyalaya Panchkula

Interesting

R.Suman Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

It is intresting to read.

POST YOUR OWN ARTICLE, PHOTO & VIDEO

SIMPLY FILL DETAILS & POST


 
SIGN UP & EXPLORE MORE...
*


*
* *
* *
img
REGISTRATION SUCCESSFUL...
THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING
  • About Us

Times Newspaper in Education (Times NIE) is a novel program that helps students ‘Stay Ahead’ and aims at making ‘Learning Fun’. It introduces concepts that help individual growth and development beyond school curriculum.

A brainchild of The Times of India, the world’s leading English newspapers, Times NIE nurtures progress and innovation. Adapted from the international concept, Times Newspaper in Education program (Times NIE) was initiated in India in 1985.

Today we have over 3000 schools and over 9 lac students subscribing to the programme, spanning 16 cities viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur.

The Times of India Student edition, a customized student newspaper exclusively for the students, packs a powerful punch in terms of content that leads to a smarter and superior learning experience. The information is crafted such that it finds use in classroom discussions, thus making it relevant and current. It truly gives education a new dimension by fostering the simple habit of reading which in turn paves the way for a confident, informed and aware individual. A newspaper that inspires young minds and equips them to face challenges of today’s world, making way for global citizens.

Empowering students with new cutting-edge knowledge through various educative and informative activities is a commitment and tradition of Times NIE. The programme serves as a catalyst of education and interaction, as well as a window into the minds of the quintessential Indian youth. On a significant scale Times NIE comprises diverse interesting activities and events that boost the child’s passion for learning, while revealing hidden talent.

While you are aware that The Times of India is among the leading English Newspapers across the world, it has consummated its position as an everlasting winner. With several international awards and recognitions to its credit, The Times of India and Times NIE have validated an enduring tradition of setting the highest benchmarks in every respect. We have been awarded with the two most prestigious awards, Times NIE - World’s No.1 NIE program and The Times of India, Student Edition - World’s No.1 Newspaper for the youth in 2006 by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN). In 2008 we were honoured by the International Newspaper Marketing Association (INMA), yet another international recognition for ‘Youth Audience Development’. In 2013 we were again honoured by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN) as the ‘Times NIE - World’s Best Youth Engagement Program’.

Times NIE has grown remarkably over the last three and a half decades, touching millions of children across more than 16 Indian cities. Our absolute commitment towards the fledgling generation remains undiluted and our greatest strength lies in the school partnership and commitment.

  • Times NIE World Awards
EDIT STUDENT PROFILE...



img

JOIN NOW !!!

Create or join groups, share your views, ideas through posts (Text, Pictures & Videos)

GOT A QUERY?

FEEL FREE TO ASK HERE. GET IT ANSWERED BY EXPERTS

CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR PREVIOUS QUERIES

win

Why You Think India Is Great....