For Christopher, it was a very pathetic time ! It was already half-past two of a sultry October Saturday and he had been searching for the esteemed "Albert Hall" since 9:30 in the morning !
Christopher is a travel-video blogger who hails from the country of Wales. At his early 20s he had achieved huge popularity for his travel-videos. This time he had shifted his focus to particularly those places where his great grandfather, Prince Albert Victor of Wales had personally been. Yes, Christopher belonged to a royal family. So, he
came to the 'land of temples', India to explore and make a documentary on this historic subcontinent. In his list of the places he would definitely not miss, "Albert Hall" was underlined in red. This famous Cafeteria was named after his great grandfather, which was situated in 'the city of joy', Kolkata. This place has a huge historic importance he was told. So, he ran helter-skelter in the endevour to find the great "Albert Hall".
He had heard tales of his great grandfather discussing important terms of negotiations with great Indian people here over a hot cup of tea, including the first Nobel leaurreate of India, Rabindranath Tagore. But where is it now? The people around seem to have no idea about it! How come the people in Kolkata forget this place!!
Seeing Christopher baffled, A young college student named Keshav came upto him and said " Hey bro! You look worried. Any problem?". Christopher looked straight into his eyes and asked ,"Can you tell me where is the "Albert Hall?". Keshav understood where it had gone wrong. He, with a smile on his face said,"Yeah bro. I can actually take you there. Come with me". Christopher was delighted! He looked at Keshav as if he was the Mesiah he was looking for. On their way to the destination, Keshav explained that the "Albert Hall" is now known as the "Indian Coffee House" and very few people know its old name.
"Ah! so that is the reason the people here could not understand what I was saying. I am Christopher from Wales and I am shooting a documentary on the historic places in India". "Then you have come to the right place brother.
The Indian Coffee House is a living fossil witness to a thousand nights of revolt, tension and mutiny. People pre and post independence came here to discuss serious political issues or to have a light gossip with friends. The smell of the brew of this place fills the heart of every Indian with patriotism and love for the motherland.
The authority of the Indian Coffee House has denied to renovate this place barring the basic structural stuffs just in order to maintain the authenticity which this place boasts of since the times of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Satyajit Ray, Manna Dey and many more".
"Ah! so that is the reason the people here could not understand what I was saying. I am Christopher from Wales and I am shooting a documentary on the historic places in India". "Then you have come to the right place brother.
The Indian Coffee House is a living fossil witness to a thousand nights of revolt, tension and mutiny. People pre and post independence came here to discuss serious political issues or to have a light gossip with friends. The smell of the brew of this place fills the heart of every Indian with patriotism and love for the motherland.
The authority of the Indian Coffee House has denied to renovate this place barring the basic structural stuffs just in order to maintain the authenticity which this place boasts of since the times of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Satyajit Ray, Manna Dey and many more".
By this time Keshav and Christopher had reached the covetted destination. The two newly made friends discussed more about the historic place over a cup of cold
coffee. 300 years had passed by since the establishment of the Indian Coffee House but the mood has never changed. Even today it has the same aura about it as it
had centuries ago.
The legacy of the Indian Coffee House lives on forever. The 'dhak' beats of Durga Puja, came floating through the autumn winds of October and sang the tunes of Harmony as "Coffee House er adda ta continued incessantly".
The legacy of the Indian Coffee House lives on forever. The 'dhak' beats of Durga Puja, came floating through the autumn winds of October and sang the tunes of Harmony as "Coffee House er adda ta continued incessantly".
Article by - Subhrajit Barua
 Mar 31 (11 days ago) | | |||
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