5 Books That Perfectly Showcase The Rich Culture Of 'Calcutta'

The cultural capital of the country, Calcutta, has always had an allure of its own that captivates every eye that falls upon it. Be it the German Noble Laureate Gunter Grass or our very own Kobi Guru (Master Poet) Rabindranath Tagore, Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) has captured the attention and appreciation of people from every corner of the world with its vibrant people, rich heritage and exceptional culinary lineage. The proof of it lies in the literary works of some of the greatest authors. From Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri to the legendary author Saradindu Bandhopadhya, Bengal has enchanted them all to depict its sweet essence in their writing. Here, we have curated a list of novels which you can read to know what all the hype is really about surrounding the city by the Ganges.  

The novel that inspired the city's nickname dives deeply into Kolkata's cultural and spiritual essence. It narrates the interconnected lives of three protagonists: a dispossessed peasant seeking a fresh start, a compassionate priest devoted to serving the underprivileged, and a wealthy American doctor drawn to the city for renewal. Through their journeys, the book highlights the resilience and indomitable spirit of Kolkata's people, who, despite hardships, remain hopeful for a brighter future. By its conclusion, the city serves as a catalyst for spiritual awakening for each character, embodying its enduring ethos of perseverance and optimism.

Following the life of a Bengali couple who migrates to America to start a new life, the novel portrays the stark cultural difference between Kolkata and America. The wife, Ashima, struggles to adjust to the Western way of living, which is all very individualistic and misses her native town, which was filled with love, affection and belongingness. Her son, the protagonist, Gogol, feels conflicted about getting in touch with his Bengali roots, along with other reasons, which distances his relationship with his parents. The story deals with the plight of a person’s toil when facing religious, cultural, and social ideologies different from theirs.

Regarded as one of his finest works, renowned Bengali storyteller Saradindu Bandyopadhyay brings out the spirit of Kolkata or Calcutta at that time in this detective series. The stories revolve around Byomkesh Bakshi and his long-time friend and assistant, Ajit Kumar Bannerjee, who narrates the thrilling mysteries they seek to solve. Byomkesh Bakshi series generously offers a glance at Kolkata’s culture and society in colonial times. 

The story revolves around three generations of the wealthy Ghosh family living in a posh suburb of Kolkata. The protagonist, Supratik, the eldest son of Adinath, becomes heavily involved in extremist political activism, causing much turmoil in the family. The story draws attention to the wide gap between the rich and the poor of Kolkata. Both the lavish lifestyle of the Ghosh family and the exploitation of the farmers, which the protagonist revolts against, highlight the social class difference between the two. Crucial historical events such as the Bengal famine of 1943, the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946, and the Partition of India are covered in the novel. 

The story follows the journey of Somnath Banerjee, an unemployed youth trying to navigate his way in the 1970s Kolata’s job market. Frustrated with not securing a job despite having a qualifying degree, Somnath gets into the order-supply business as a middleman. As the story moves forward, it pictures Somnath’s concise turning from being an idealist to engaging in immoral activities to secure the future of his business, Somnath Enterprise. The novel is a naked portrayal of how Kolkata demands corruption from young individuals for them to succeed.