Calcutta Jhalmuri: Stories from a Bygone Era's Social | Economic | Culture | Political Landscape | Rich Historical and Exploration | Daily Life | Bengali culture

by Probal J. Bhattacharyya

‘Calcutta is remarkable! It is a world where everything except a remedy for death is available. Every task is easy for its talented people, its market has an abundance of everything except the commodity of good fortune.’ – Mirza Ghalib

Those who lived in Calcutta during the 1960s–1980s—before it became the Kolkata of malls and neons and flyovers—swear by the ‘city enchantress’, its ambience and ethos. Calcutta Jhalmuri is Probal J. Bhattacharyya’s ode to a bygone era. In evocative prose, these stories evoke the sounds and sights of a city now irrevocably lost in the sands of time. The myriad characters offer an insight into the whole social and economic spectrum—from a freedom fighter to a college playboy, a nautch girl, and a battered housewife—as they leap out of the pages to paint an irresistible portrait of an extraordinary city. Wistful and elegiac, this is one unforgettable ride down memory lane.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Swapna Peri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probal J. Bhattacharyya’s Calcutta Jhalmuri: Stories from a Bygone Era is like a warm, nostalgic look at Calcutta in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. In twelve short stories, he brings the city to life, capturing its mix of joy, sadness, hope, and struggle. It’s a city full of contradictions—rich in culture, but often struggling, loud yet full of quiet moments. These stories remind us of a time that’s now gone, but still lives in the memories of those who experienced it.

The characters are what really make this book stand out. From a freedom fighter to a college playboy, from a sad dancer to a tired housewife, these are people you can relate to, no matter where you’re from. Bhattacharyya weaves in moments from history, like political movements and college romances, to paint a full picture of Calcutta’s soul.

Reading Calcutta Jhalmuri is like eating a plate of the famous street snack jhalmuri—spicy, tangy, and satisfying. Bhattacharyya mixes deep, emotional moments with touches of humor, keeping you hooked. His writing makes the city’s sights, sounds, and smells feel real, and you can’t help but be drawn into the world he creates.

This book is more than just a collection of stories—it’s a journey. It’s a way to experience Calcutta as it was, with all its magic and messiness. While those who know the city will feel especially moved, anyone who enjoys stories about love, loss, and hope will find something to connect with here.

In the end, Calcutta Jhalmuri is a treat for the heart. If you’re looking for a book that takes you back in time, with characters you’ll remember long after you finish reading, this one’s a must-read.

[ALPNA DAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had priceless memories of vacations spent in Calcutta, the title Calcutta Jhalmuri and the absolutely endearing cover caught my attention immediately.
Author Probal J. Bhattacharya recreates the magic of the Calcutta of the bygone era with his basket of short stories, each enriched by apt descriptions and unforgettable characterisation.
The twelve tales explore a myriad of human emotions, some simple and some complicated and delve into the complexities of relationships very well.

The storytelling is ,of course enhanced by the unmistakable essence of the city that features in its title. Whether it be the names of streets, or the Bengali terms of endearment or the local sweets, every little detail reminds you where the story unfolds.
The first story ' The Nose' which explores love in its most unadulterated, pure form bowled me over.
" The Uncut cake " explores the unconditional love and loneliness of a parent living alone in the most unconventional way and breaks your heart.
"Jethamoni- the forgotten hero" is a satirical attempt on the predicament of a freedom fighter not getting pension because he was never jailed.Two sentences from this story that are absolute gems
-" the only reward for evading death was life- but not the means to live it!"
-"Independent India needed too much proof to conclude that he was foolish enough to fight for her independence"

The tales are flavourful, the narratives smooth, the situations overwhelming,the characters compelling and the writing direct and bold...all in all an eclectic mix that justifies the title fully, this Jhalmuri is worth munching on!

[Puja Khattri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calcutta at its best? At its finest? Not quite. Calcutta Jhalmuri is not about facades or appearances. What it is, is real and true, even if it leaves you a little sore in the heart.
Writing short stories is not everyone’s cup of tea. To be able to communicate an entire plot in only a few pages, to etch characters that stay with the reader even after you’ve read it from cover to cover is a skill reserved for a rare few. Mr Bhattacharya does just that.
His stories draw you in from the very first line and grip your imagination as he gives you a peek into the real lives of his characters. He has titled his book very well, Calcutta Jhalmuri is quite different from the sweet and tangy bhelpuri a lot of us are used to. Jhalmuri has a mix of flavours and textures that you wouldn’t think would work together, but they do. Mr Bhattacharya’s Jhalmuri’s is in parts tangy and sweet, and in others pungent and crisp; it packs quite a punch. Do read it.

[Sanjeeva Maithani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories that capture a particular era. Villages, Kolkata become the backdrop of stories - some simple and joyful, some shocking and some sad. Be it an erstwhile prince losing everything or an old mother waiting for her son to come home having no idea why he stopped communicating with her after marriage, a communist student whose lofty theories are tested sorely when he is arrested by the police or the casanova who gets a shock when he attends a college reunion. The stories not only have an interesting plot and protagonist but also other characters who make you think and feel. The pitiable state of a freedom fighter and the helplessness of his nephew who idolizes him but also finds him to be the obstacle on the path of his marital bliss. A great collection by Probal that has to be read!!

[Rishabh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute delight of a book. A tribute to the incredible city of Calcutta / Kolkata. Stories of ordinary people and their simple and yet extra-ordinary lives - coming-of-age and slice-of-life short stories. They are beautifully written and language is easy. Emotional, Nostalgic, Evocative are words that best describe this collection.

[Chetan Mathur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy-to-read stories about life and people who inhabit the earth. While the setting is in Calcutta, in my view, it could be anywhere.