Macher Jhol is a yummy ensemble of emotions

The entertainment industry of India is evolving, with the encroachment of digital platforms, storytellers get opportunities like never before. We see movies being made on varied subjects, backdrops etc. This advancement is not limited to the Hindi movie industry, Bengali movies have also undergone radical transformations. The stern demarcation between commercial and urban or parallel cinema, has gradually mellowed, if not vanished completely. A freer thoroughfare of ideologies, performers and storytelling across this line of control is being witnessed these days.

Recently I watched a Bengali movie. Keeping the nostalgia, ethos and pathos of watching a Bengali movie outside Bengal aside, 'Maacher Jhol' truly intrigued me by its unique make. Director Pratim D Gupta has chosen a subject, which is largely untouched. Or rather he sings a known song in an unknown tune. He wraps a delectable blend of emotions, social taboos, conjectures in a newly baked crisp cover. And the cover, essentially consist of flavors, new to the Bengali audience. 

Maacher Jhol means the quintessential Bengali fish curry, which is associated with varied emotions and flavors that comprise the life of a bong. This tale is that of a man who aspires to be chef but finds himself trapped in the cobweb of expectations of his father. Veteran actor Mamata Shankar, excels playing the exemplary mother who resonates with the aspirations of her son, played by Ritwick Chakrabarty.

Ritwick is a treat to watch, in his absolute candid portrayal of the successful chef Debdatto based in Paris, with a doting french girlfriend. However his success story like all others, has dark patches too. Paoli Dam as the dauntingly self respecting wife of the chef, whom he leaves in Kolkata to pursue his dreams, must be applauded for her underplay which succeeds to overwhelm. 

The characters are well defined and their journeys converge laminar. When Debdatto comes to visit his ailing mother, the tangled threads of his life gradually loosen. When he strives hard to cook the 'Maacher Jhol', his mother wants to have, he learns about himself and encounters his inner demons.

While I end my narrative, I recommend this yummy treat of emotions to all movie lovers.

The Father - A play and more...

It's not very often that you see a legend perform in front of your eyes. It is too overwhelming to categorize the experience as good or bad, too daring to rate the performances, yet I wanted to blog about my recent theater experience, which took my breath away.

I just love plays and theater, it's live appeal is much more endearing than images moving in front of me, as in motion pictures. Hence, given a chance, I would rather spend my toil stained money on witnessing enriching theater performances, instead of other ways of spending the same.

My recent indulgence was an experimental theater experience, "The Father", enacted by Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Neeraj Kabi and many more talented actors. Originally written by Florian Zeller in French, it is a visual and emotional treat for theater lovers.

Quite a mind blogging drama, with every scene conflicting the previous one, it takes the audience a while to get hold of the changing string of events. It takes a bit of you to appreciate that the play is a reflection of what goes on in the mind of a Alzheimer affected old man, who is the father of two daughters. One who takes care of him and the other who takes space in his brain, after succumbing to the deadly strike of an accident. 

Naseeruddin Shah is real, amorous, exasperating, flirtatious and adorable as the dementia stricken old man, while Ratna Pathak Shah is effortlessly brilliant as the daughter trying to balance her life and taking care of an unintentionally non cooperative father. In fact the entire Motley group, comes together to create magical theater experience. A special mention of Neeraj Kabi, who had really impressed me by his portrayal of the convicted, controversial yet sympathy attracting father of deceased Arushi in Talvar. Expectantly I enjoyed his theater competency, especially his slightly different style of dialogue delivery. Sayan Banerjee, Aahana Kumra and Trishla Patel also delivered wonderful performances.

I would love to recommend all theater lovers to make use of this opportunity and experience something extraordinary. I congratulate every one associated with the production of "The Father".

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

Washington Poste - A stylish pub with yummy servings

Journeys are not only about the celebrated tourist attractions and well known destinations. It is also about the little stories we pick up here and there. Some unique food item, or unconventional eatery, it can be anything between heaven and earth. 

Few months back, when on a bright sunny day, I was walking hand in hand with my husband, on the streets of Paris, I collected few such, stories. Story of a handsome boy selling crepes by the side of the road or my rendezvous with a eatery which I simply adored, I have a lot to recollect.

"Washington Poste" situated in the posh location of Champ Elysees serves French, American and other European cuisines. It's geographic location makes it's lucrative to all those tired and hungry souls shopping in the area, which is one of the most exquisite shopping destinations of the globe. With the overwhelming brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermes etc. bestowing their panache.  

We chose the place, more because it was one of those few eateries, which had English menu card along with French, and also because the crew was very welcoming. This lovely bistro with its warm interiors, made the experience truly relaxing.

We ordered this amazing chicken pizza and glasses of red wine. Truly speaking it was the best pizza I had ever tasted. Yummy chicken dressing, mouth watering cheese topping and sprinkled herbs on top of thin pizza bread, it was quite a treat I must say. I also loved the wine, as it complimented the food very well. 

This restaurant is on the expensive side, yet I recommend it for food lovers.  

The charming interiors, friendly staff and very tasty food made it one of the great food joints we explored in our Euro Trip.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

Pizza n wine

My hubby 

N me