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Culture of West Bengal -
West Bengal has about 76% Hindus and majority of them are Bengalis. Muslim population constitutes about 22% of the state and more than 85% people speak Bengali. Other languages which can be heard are Hindi, Urdu, English and many tribal languages. Calcutta has been the birthplace of or home to many well known personalities from all fields of life. You can have Rabindra Nath Tagore, William Thackeray (novelist); Merle Oberon (actress), Mother Teresa, Subhash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda and recently, Amartya Sen among them. The Bengalis lead as the poets and artists of India. They have a natural fondness for anything artistic. Theatre, music from all over the world can find repeat performances and packed houses in this state. Bengali movie industry leans towards sophisticated and non-commercial type of cinema, which can stand upto anything made in the West. A number of tribal groups can be found in the state.
In the plains you can meet the Santhals, Oraons and Mundas, whereas in the hills you find the Bhotiyas and the Lepchas. Exclusive tribal villages located in the interior of the regions can be found.
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This exclusive nature has helped preserve the cultural identity of these people. Many still practice shifting cultivation, food gathering and hunting, though they are losing their isolation gradually and are taking in other practices too. Most follow a simple life and have a harmonious relation with their envoronment.
Though West Bengal is the 2nd most densely populated state in India, the rural settlements which are compact and nucleated, are quite scattered. |
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Bengali Cuisine
The Bengalis are very found of fish, and the men can be seen in the market place, haggling for the best price of fish, fresh from the river. The most popular ones are Bekti and Hilsa. They also look for shellfish especially ‘king prawns’. The Bengalis are very keen on what they eat. The fish Hilsa is best smoked, but has thousand of small and fine bones and thus requires patience. Bekti is marinated in mild spices and then either fried or grilled.
You can eat fish in many forms- as Malai curry (in mildly spiced coconut milk) or as chopped fish. This is covered in mashed potatoes and crumbs. You could also order "Macher jhal" which is very spicy and hot; or you could ask for "Macher jhol". This has fish with thin gravy. Then there is "Jhingri macher cutlet", which is flattened king prawn 'fillets', crumbled and fried. Bengalis cook their food in mustard oil and use a fine and mild mixture of spices, including mustard seed. Mostly, you will find food which has been cooked with ‘Panch Phoron,’ a mixture of five spices, namely fenugreek, mustard, cumin seed, 'kalonji' and fennel. Most restaurants provide the traditional North Indian cuisine, but the typical Bengali food can be tasted only in a few restaurants or else somebody’s home. |
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Bengalis are also fond of rice, which accompanies the fish dishes as well as a vast variety of sweet meat. They call them "Mishti" and many have milk as their basic content. You can order Rasogolla, Rasomalai or Sandesh. Then you have the Pantua and Lady Kenny. These two use a kind of cottage cheese. Most of them are very sweet, though they come in all kinds of textures, shapes, color and taste. Mishti Doi, a sweet yoghurt, pale pinkish brown in color, is quite popular. You can also try other special dishes like Mihidana Sitabhog and Sarpuria. You can eat according to your budget and appetite. |
Fairs and Festible
The entire state of West Bengal celebrates festivals all round the year. In January there is the 'Ganga Sagar Mela' at 'Sagar', where the river Hugli joins the sea.
The rest of India celebrates Holi, also called ‘Dol Purnima’. ‘Ratha Yatra’ car festivals are held in different parts of the state. In September-October, Bengal celebrates Shakti or Durga Puja. This is the most important festival of the Bengalis, which is celebrated for ten days with great religious fervor. This puja is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. You have music, dance, drama, which last for 15 days. In October-November, Bengal celebrates Diwali-the Festival of Lights-as 'Kali Puja' like the rest of India. Christmas too is celebrated in a big way. |
Some of the local festivals, which are celebrated include, 'Jhapan' held in honor of the serpent goddess 'Manasa' daughter of Shiva. This is held in the month of August and is linked with fertility. 'Poush Mela' (23-25 Dec) is celebrated in Shantiniketan. You can see dances by the Santhals, the tribal group of the area, and also hear the 'Baauls'. These are the wandering singers who sing about spiritual upliftment.
The 'Magh Mela' celebrates the 'Brahmo Samaj'. 'Buddha Jayanti' is also celebrated in the monasteries of the state. |
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