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Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea
Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea tells a story from a different era, of different lives. It’s a tale of a ten year long stay in a land filled with shivering mist and dense clouds… the land of Orange Pekeo Lopchu Tea, Toy Train and the Kanchenjunga ― Darjeeling!
Zeena Choudhury recollects the time she spent in Loreto Convent Darjeeling. Her journey as a ‘Loreto Girl’ began at a time when the Indian subcontinent was experiencing a significant political shift that would eventually leave a traumatic scar on the combined consciousness its people. Despite that the jovial child that still plays inside the author’s heart makes the red rhododendrons, green tea gardens and the glowing snow covered Kanchejungha at dawn burst with vivid colors in the reader’s imagination. Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea is indeed a tale of innocence.
Zeena Choudhury recollects the time she spent in Loreto Convent Darjeeling. Her journey as a ‘Loreto Girl’ began at a time when the Indian subcontinent was experiencing a significant political shift that would eventually leave a traumatic scar on the combined consciousness its people. Despite that the jovial child that still plays inside the author’s heart makes the red rhododendrons, green tea gardens and the glowing snow covered Kanchejungha at dawn burst with vivid colors in the reader’s imagination. Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea is indeed a tale of innocence.
108 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 2017
About the author
Zeena Choudhury
3 books2 followersZeena (Zeenat) Choudhury was born in July 1939 in Calcutta. Her early educational years were spent at Loreto Convent Darjeeling from 1946 to 1956 and from where she passed her Senior Cambridge exams.
When she married Faruq Ahmed Choudhury , a diplomat, in 1959, she temporarily discontinued her studies. After Bangladesh’s Independence, she resumed her studies at London University in 1972 where she earned an honours degree in BSc Sociology. In 1980, she got her L. L. M. degree in International Law from Vrije Universiteit, Brussels.
On her husband’s retirement and return to Dhaka in 1991, she did several consultancies for UNICEF on the “Rights of Women” and the “Rights of Child.” In July 1996, she became the Principal and Owner of Kids Tutorial, an English medium school founded by her mother Dr. Amina Rahman, in which capacity she is still occupied.
Choudhury attributes her "birth as a writer" to the tremendous encouragement of a close circle of women who pushed her to transition from private thoughts to published works. Her stories first gained public recognition in the Saturday Literary Review of The Daily Star before being compiled into her first book, Church Bells And Darjeeling Tea.
Her Daily Star articles: https://www.thedailystar.net/author/z...
When she married Faruq Ahmed Choudhury , a diplomat, in 1959, she temporarily discontinued her studies. After Bangladesh’s Independence, she resumed her studies at London University in 1972 where she earned an honours degree in BSc Sociology. In 1980, she got her L. L. M. degree in International Law from Vrije Universiteit, Brussels.
On her husband’s retirement and return to Dhaka in 1991, she did several consultancies for UNICEF on the “Rights of Women” and the “Rights of Child.” In July 1996, she became the Principal and Owner of Kids Tutorial, an English medium school founded by her mother Dr. Amina Rahman, in which capacity she is still occupied.
Choudhury attributes her "birth as a writer" to the tremendous encouragement of a close circle of women who pushed her to transition from private thoughts to published works. Her stories first gained public recognition in the Saturday Literary Review of The Daily Star before being compiled into her first book, Church Bells And Darjeeling Tea.
Her Daily Star articles: https://www.thedailystar.net/author/z...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2023
A very happy and pleasant book, if you are looking for one.
I picked up this book from a stall in the Bangladesh hall in Kolkata Book fair 2023. It was strange to have picked up an English book from the Bangladesh arena as per some of my friends. But the one random page that I opened of the book, its illustrations, its cover all just seemed so charming. They echoed and promised the same Ruskin Bond-ish charm but from Darjeeling and from a female point of view that belong to both India and Bangladesh. And I am so so glad that I picked this book up. It is just so charming. ❤❤❤
Not that anyone cares (:P) but I would share one experience of mine with this book. I was sitting in a beautiful cafe the day before yesterday at the heart of south Kolkata surrounded by warm lights, my Ma's favorite black and white marble flooring, white-colored and heavy old iron chairs and slightly cool unexpected Kolkata summer evening. Reading this book with a flat white and a brownie made that evening just perfect. The perfect happy book at the perfect happy place. It was a very good evening. ❤❤❤
(Sorry for repeating) This is such a charming and happy book that I am glad I picked it up. True to what it promised at the first glance in the book fair, the flavor for Darjeeling presented here is partially, not entirely, similar to what Rusty's is for Dehradun and his school days, for all Ruskin Bond fans out there. It talks about the history of Darjeeling, of Loreto convent interspersed with the history of pre and post independent India, how the culture of the British Raj was entwined in the Indian culture, Zeena's nanna, her family, histories of many other famous family's whom you will recognize if you are a Bengali. It is a walk down the memory lane, the nostalgia of a romantic age that is now lost to time. The illustrations add to the charm.
On its cons, sometimes the historical descriptions are rather dry. I did not mind it as in general I am interested in the history of the hill station but it might be a turn-off factor for many readers. There is no particular order or structure apart from Zeena Choudhury's school timeline, and that choice justifies the organization for me as well.
Overall it made me smile almost continuously and cry once or twice. The book is a happy autobiography of the writer's childhood spent at the Loreto convent. A very happy and light reading for one of the stressful work nights.
Happy reading! :)
(A nerdy link: https://dbthetablesareturned.blogspot... )
I picked up this book from a stall in the Bangladesh hall in Kolkata Book fair 2023. It was strange to have picked up an English book from the Bangladesh arena as per some of my friends. But the one random page that I opened of the book, its illustrations, its cover all just seemed so charming. They echoed and promised the same Ruskin Bond-ish charm but from Darjeeling and from a female point of view that belong to both India and Bangladesh. And I am so so glad that I picked this book up. It is just so charming. ❤❤❤
Not that anyone cares (:P) but I would share one experience of mine with this book. I was sitting in a beautiful cafe the day before yesterday at the heart of south Kolkata surrounded by warm lights, my Ma's favorite black and white marble flooring, white-colored and heavy old iron chairs and slightly cool unexpected Kolkata summer evening. Reading this book with a flat white and a brownie made that evening just perfect. The perfect happy book at the perfect happy place. It was a very good evening. ❤❤❤
(Sorry for repeating) This is such a charming and happy book that I am glad I picked it up. True to what it promised at the first glance in the book fair, the flavor for Darjeeling presented here is partially, not entirely, similar to what Rusty's is for Dehradun and his school days, for all Ruskin Bond fans out there. It talks about the history of Darjeeling, of Loreto convent interspersed with the history of pre and post independent India, how the culture of the British Raj was entwined in the Indian culture, Zeena's nanna, her family, histories of many other famous family's whom you will recognize if you are a Bengali. It is a walk down the memory lane, the nostalgia of a romantic age that is now lost to time. The illustrations add to the charm.
On its cons, sometimes the historical descriptions are rather dry. I did not mind it as in general I am interested in the history of the hill station but it might be a turn-off factor for many readers. There is no particular order or structure apart from Zeena Choudhury's school timeline, and that choice justifies the organization for me as well.
Overall it made me smile almost continuously and cry once or twice. The book is a happy autobiography of the writer's childhood spent at the Loreto convent. A very happy and light reading for one of the stressful work nights.
Happy reading! :)
(A nerdy link: https://dbthetablesareturned.blogspot... )
September 7, 2021
I picked up this book for it's endearing title, hoping to be transported to the misty land of Orange Pekeo Lopchu Tea, green mountains and train rides. I can gladly attest that this charming little book offered exactly that and more.
The Bangladeshi writer, Zeena Choudhury, vividly recounts tales from seven decades ago, of her youth at Loreto Convent -an all girls boarding school, governed by Roman Catholic nuns. The timeline begins the year before the partition of India to a decade after, which ensues an old world charm that enchantingly creeps throughout the narrative. She engagingly describes the rituals of a missionary institution, the fun times and challenges of a growing student through formative years at a boarding school and more. I enjoyed the occasional celebrity mentions, of meeting Mother Teresa when she visited the school in the late 40's, having Princesses Shanti Shah and Sharda Shah of Nepal as fellow students, overhearing her mother crediting a 'family friend' Rabindranath Tagore for personally advising her to pursue further studies, and not to forget watching Gone with the Wind during movie time which starred Vivien Leigh who was interestingly once a student at Loreto Convent Darjeeling herself.
The recalled memories from a lifetime ago of fun in the sun, dormitory ghost nuns, school dances with boys and Catholic rituals, are set amidst a captivating Darjeeling landscape that surrounds the school and town with it's alluring mountains, a myriad of flowers and endless scenery, described beautifully by the author.
It's an easy and short read if you're looking for something light and charming while sipping tea.
I tend to give preference to sharing reviews of books by subcontinental writers, as their work offers a sense of familiarity and belonging, for those of us from this region, that is otherwise unknown and unfelt while reading novels by Western writers which many of us have only or mostly been accustomed to, while growing up.
The Bangladeshi writer, Zeena Choudhury, vividly recounts tales from seven decades ago, of her youth at Loreto Convent -an all girls boarding school, governed by Roman Catholic nuns. The timeline begins the year before the partition of India to a decade after, which ensues an old world charm that enchantingly creeps throughout the narrative. She engagingly describes the rituals of a missionary institution, the fun times and challenges of a growing student through formative years at a boarding school and more. I enjoyed the occasional celebrity mentions, of meeting Mother Teresa when she visited the school in the late 40's, having Princesses Shanti Shah and Sharda Shah of Nepal as fellow students, overhearing her mother crediting a 'family friend' Rabindranath Tagore for personally advising her to pursue further studies, and not to forget watching Gone with the Wind during movie time which starred Vivien Leigh who was interestingly once a student at Loreto Convent Darjeeling herself.
The recalled memories from a lifetime ago of fun in the sun, dormitory ghost nuns, school dances with boys and Catholic rituals, are set amidst a captivating Darjeeling landscape that surrounds the school and town with it's alluring mountains, a myriad of flowers and endless scenery, described beautifully by the author.
It's an easy and short read if you're looking for something light and charming while sipping tea.
I tend to give preference to sharing reviews of books by subcontinental writers, as their work offers a sense of familiarity and belonging, for those of us from this region, that is otherwise unknown and unfelt while reading novels by Western writers which many of us have only or mostly been accustomed to, while growing up.
October 6, 2019
The book is part biography of the author, Zeena Choudhury, during the time 1950's when she was a Loreto Convent Girl. Here she described her life as a Loreto Convent Girl, where she spent 10 years of her life. In the book, the author mentioned about the major political upheavals and influences that happened during the time being..specially the "Great Calcutta Killings", the time when major changes happened in the Indian subcontinent that made huge changes in many people's life. Author Zeena Choudhury also gave descriptions about the beauty of Darjeeling, the toy train, the Ghum Railway Station(India's Longest Railway Station and World's Second Longest Railway Station). She also stated the beauty of various plants which are all around Darjeeling, her sharp observation of those plants at such young age was just amazing. I could just imagine myself there on the convent too while reading her book. What I liked about the book most is her mother's clear and right view regarding the religion and convent matter, her mother wasn't fanatics about it. Her mother allowed her to learn about other religions culture too and inspired her to participate on the programs to know about catholic cultures closely despite being from a strict Muslim family, which was really praising matter. When everyone become so fanatics regarding religion influence matter but she was open minded and showed her daughter to think on the right way.
This book is wonderful..a tale of innocence of the jovial child, written beautifully.
This book is wonderful..a tale of innocence of the jovial child, written beautifully.
September 13, 2026
It was a pleasant read… I was soo immersed into the mystic beauty of Darjeeling 🍀🍀
March 2, 2022
- Book Review: "Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea" by Zeena Choudhury - 📚🇮🇳🇧🇩
~ Guest review by @jenn_n_tonik ~
I picked up this book for it's endearing title, hoping to be transported to the misty land of Orange Pekeo Lopchu Tea, green mountains and train rides. I can gladly attest that this charming little book offered exactly that and more.
The Bangladeshi writer - Zeena Choudhury - vividly recounts tales from seven decades ago, of her youth at Loreto Convent, an all girls boarding school governed by Roman Catholic nuns. The timeline begins the year before the partition of India to a decade after, which ensues an old world charm that enchantingly creeps throughout the narrative. She engagingly describes the rituals of a missionary institution, the fun times and challenges of a growing student through formative years at a boarding school and more. I enjoyed the occasional celebrity mentions, of meeting Mother Teresa when she visited the school in the late 40s, having Princesses Shanti Shah and Sharda Shah of Nepal as fellow students, overhearing her mother crediting a 'family friend' Rabindranath Tagore for personally advising her to pursue further studies, and not to forget watching Gone with the Wind during movie time which starred Vivien Leigh who was interestingly once a student at Loreto Convent Darjeeling herself.
The recalled memories from a lifetime ago of fun in the sun, dormitory ghost nuns, school dances with boys and Catholic rituals, are set amidst a captivating Darjeeling landscape that surrounds the school and town with it's alluring mountains, a myriad of flowers and endless scenery, described beautifully by the author.
It's an easy and short read if you're looking for something light and charming while sipping tea.
I often try to share reviews of books by subcontinental writers, as their works offer a sense of familiarity and belonging that is otherwise unknown and unfelt while reading novels by Western writers which many of us have only or mostly been accustomed to, while growing up.
~ Guest review by @jenn_n_tonik ~
I picked up this book for it's endearing title, hoping to be transported to the misty land of Orange Pekeo Lopchu Tea, green mountains and train rides. I can gladly attest that this charming little book offered exactly that and more.
The Bangladeshi writer - Zeena Choudhury - vividly recounts tales from seven decades ago, of her youth at Loreto Convent, an all girls boarding school governed by Roman Catholic nuns. The timeline begins the year before the partition of India to a decade after, which ensues an old world charm that enchantingly creeps throughout the narrative. She engagingly describes the rituals of a missionary institution, the fun times and challenges of a growing student through formative years at a boarding school and more. I enjoyed the occasional celebrity mentions, of meeting Mother Teresa when she visited the school in the late 40s, having Princesses Shanti Shah and Sharda Shah of Nepal as fellow students, overhearing her mother crediting a 'family friend' Rabindranath Tagore for personally advising her to pursue further studies, and not to forget watching Gone with the Wind during movie time which starred Vivien Leigh who was interestingly once a student at Loreto Convent Darjeeling herself.
The recalled memories from a lifetime ago of fun in the sun, dormitory ghost nuns, school dances with boys and Catholic rituals, are set amidst a captivating Darjeeling landscape that surrounds the school and town with it's alluring mountains, a myriad of flowers and endless scenery, described beautifully by the author.
It's an easy and short read if you're looking for something light and charming while sipping tea.
I often try to share reviews of books by subcontinental writers, as their works offer a sense of familiarity and belonging that is otherwise unknown and unfelt while reading novels by Western writers which many of us have only or mostly been accustomed to, while growing up.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews