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"The BeautiFood Standards" in Bengali #BlogChatterFoodFest

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While exploring old Bengali literature, I often encounter descriptions of a person's beautiful features being compared to various food items. Similar to the phrase "Sharbati Aankhen" in Hindi/Urdu or "almond-shaped eyes" in English, we Bengalis have developed our own beauty standards influenced by food. Perhaps I could call it "BeautiFood standards." Today, I thought of sharing with my readers some of the most popular "Beautifood Standards" most widely used in literature. 1. Potol Chera Chokh: It literally means eyes shaped like split pointed gourds or parwal . This phrase has been extensively used to describe a woman's beautiful and large eyes. However, if we consider it literally, the image may look...well...you decide.. Is it not "Beautifood?" 2. Paner Moton Mukh: The literal translation of the phrase is a face shaped like a betel leaf, which refers to heart-shaped facial features. If you've observed, many of the tradi...

That Boy from Barishal

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Spandan was buzzing with excitement. The day he had been eagerly awaiting for the past two years was finally approaching: he was about to meet Clara. When she revealed the news last week, he could hardly believe it, thinking she might be joking. However, when he realized it was true and not just a figment of his imagination, he started brainstorming ideas for a welcome theme: "Spandan Meets Clara, Finally." He was so thrilled that he immediately whipped up his favourite mocktail, the "Cocotchi." This drink is made with half a glass of coconut water, a splash of litchi syrup, a pinch of lime juice, and lots of crushed ice, all topped with a sprig of mint leaves. It was his personal afternoon of celebration. Clara was everything he had ever dreamed of in a partner. As a chef, he had travelled to many countries and met numerous women, but the connection he felt with Clara was truly unique. He had never encountered anyone with such a pure heart, along with honesty and u...

Top 5 Bengali Movies to watch on Father's Day

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It's Friday, and that means it's movie time on MeMoviesMore! With Father's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to highlight some films that showcase the important role fathers play in our lives. These movies illustrate how ordinary individuals transform into super dads for the sake of their children. Here are a few Bengali films you can enjoy with your father this weekend. 1. Uma ( 2018): Uma is a poignant story about a teenager living with her father, Himadri Sen, in Zurich, Switzerland. Uma is suffering from a terminal illness, and her last wish is to witness the celebrations of Durga Puja in Kolkata. Knowing that time is running out for his daughter, Himadri decides to recreate the essence of Durga Puja in Kolkata within a short time frame.  The film showcases the lengths a father will go to fulfil his daughter's final wishes. Jisshu Sengupta delivers a heartfelt performance as Himadri Sen, while Sara Sengupta, who portrays Uma, i...

5 Bengali Sweets beyond Rosogolla and Misti Doi

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Bengal's sweetness quotient is incomplete without including a few of the state's beloved sweets. While the entire country is familiar with Rosogolla and Misti Doi, let's explore beyond these well-known treats to discover the true sweetness of Bengal through other famous sweet dishes that the state has to offer.  1. Sitabhog of Bardhaman: Bardhaman is a district located in the heart of West Bengal. One of the main attractions of the area is Sitabhog, a sweet dish that resembles long-grained rice and is topped with small, gulab jamun-like balls.  During the early 20th century, when Maharaja Bijaychand Mahatab was the king of Bardhaman, the renowned confectioner Bhairab Chandra Nag created this sweet to impress the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, during his visit in 1904. Immensely impressed by its divine taste, Curzon issued a certificate to the creator, Nag. In 2017, Sitabhog was awarded Geographical Indication status, further cementing its place in the region's his...

Snack it up with Kolkata's Jhalmuri #BlogchatterFoodFest

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Kolkata's evening snack game is incomplete without Jhalmuri – the spicy puffed rice that's still a steal at Rs. 10 a packet (because who needs expensive snacks when you can have a flavor explosion?). This magical mix of puffed rice, boiled potatoes, onions, cucumber, boiled chickpeas, roasted peanuts, slices of chillies, a slash of pickle, a dash of black salt and a pinch of Kolkata's magic spice has a rich history. Born in rural Bengal, Jhalmuri was initially a humble snack of puffed rice, but it got a colonial makeover in Kolkata when the British said, "Hey, let's add some spice to our lives!" During World War 2, Bihari migrants sold this spicy version to British soldiers and American officials, and voilà! Jhalmuri became a hit.  Now, it's a Kolkata mandate – try it with puchka, egg roll, fish fry, and the city's culinary squad. Your taste buds will do the tango (or cry for mercy, depending on the spice level). Either way, you'll be hooked! This ...

Translating Banalata Sen by Jibananda Das #EveryConversationMatters #VerseWaveBlogHop

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I attempted again,  Last time it was Tagore , This time it is  Jibanananda's Banalata Sen. My attempts to translate will never die, What's the harm if I try? I am choosing every classic poem, Surely, all have heard of them. Bangla, English, Hindi or Gujarati Nothing can ever beat a good poetry.           Banalata Sen   Walking this earth for thousand of years, From the seas of Ceylon to that in the Malay, through the dark nightly spheres. From the dusted ages of Bimbisara and Ashoka, Moving further to the darkening times in Vidarbha  I had been there. Surrounded by the foamy sea of life, My tired soul's  only moments of hope  Were those with Banalata Sen from Natore. The dark nights of Bidisha was her hair,  Her features as intricate as Sravasti's sculpture; Far away in the sea  With a broken sail, a lost sailor When, in the cinnamon-island he sees the green pasture Like that,  amidst the darkness I saw her. Asking me...

The Call of the Fish Fry #BlogchatterFoodFest

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"Hello, am I speaking to Ms. Reubenna?" a soft, melodious voice asked, with a hint of curiosity. "Yes, that's me," I replied, wondering who was on the other end. There was a brief pause, followed by a gentle sigh and a playful giggle. "This is Ms. Kolkata Fish Fry. I hope I'm not interrupting your dinner plans – or should I say, your fish plans?" I chuckled at the bad pun. "You're Ms. Fish Fry? As in, the dish?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral. "The one and only authentic Kolkata Fish Fry, dear," she replied, with a chuckle. "Or the Batter Fish Fry, as the Englishmen used to call me – probably because they couldn't pronounce 'Bengali cuisine' correctly." I raised an eyebrow, amused. "How may I assist you today, Ms. Fish Batter Fry?" I asked politely. The voice on the other end seemed to swell with pride. "Reubenna, dear, I was wondering if you could tell me something. Does Kolkata...