Kolkata and its famous things

Planning a trip to the City of Joy? Want to keep the city alive in your heart and memory even after going back? Well, not to worry, as Kolkata has a lot to offer. This city has a wide range of emotional as well as materialistic souvenirs in store for its visitors and people from all over the world flock to Kolkata for them. The things you can physically take back (not to mention your heart full of precious memories) range from famous eatables to jewellery to sarees to home decor and lot more.

So here are some places dedicated specialties of this cultural metropolitan. 

Sweets

Kolkata is incomplete without the mention of sweets and such sugary ones too. Apart from the most famous Rosogolla you will also fall in love with Kora Pak Sandesh, Mishti Doi, Chom-Chom and Cchaanar Jilipi. If you are visiting the city in winter times you will be fortunate enough to spoil yourself with the wide array of sweets made with the special Nolen Gur (jaggery). So a Kolkata visit is absolutely incomplete without indulging in famous Bengali sweets and also taking some back for your loved ones who have been busy drooling your Instagram updates.

Where to get: Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Dey, Mouchak, Ballaram Mullick and Radharam Mullick, Bhim Nag, Ganguram's.

Jute Craft Items and Home Decor

Kolkata caters to a diverse need for jute items ranging from jute wall hangings to jute handbags and totes to jute photo frames to jute jewellery to jute footwear to jute dolls to jute doormats and even more! West Bengal is known for its jute production and hence provides top quality items in this matter. Jute items not only provide an aesthetic touch to your homes but also enrich your eco friendly way of living.

Where to get: Dakshinapan Shopping Complex, Ankur Kala Kendra, Central Cottage Industries Emporium.

Books

In case you are a bookworm, then this place in Kolkata will be your Mecca. Starting from academic books to that rare edition which was out of publication since years to the most recent bestseller to international hard bounds you will get everything here. And what's more interesting? You will get it at a fraction of a price than anywhere else. So if you love the smell of old books or sometimes getting a first hand book at the price of a second hand one makes your day or the joy of laying your hands on a rare edition is priceless to you then this place has to top your list.

So equipped with your undaunted love for books and immense bargaining power you are now all set to face the millions of books waiting for you.

Where to get: College Street

Terracotta Structures

Kolkata gets its supply of the ever famous terracotta structures from Bankura where they are originally made. It's especially known for the terracotta horses and elephants. Terracotta is one of the earliest attempts of man at clay modelling and now it's a traditional art which creates beautiful figures and showpieces. The items can be found in shades of either red or blackish red depending upon the time for which its been smoked. Variety of items such as vases, bowls, pots, plates, ashtrays etc can be purchased.

Terracotta items can be found in every household all over Bengal and if you want to take back a souvenir of tradition with you then choose this and you won't regret. In case you want to see a terracotta product being made upfront then you can take a small roadtrip to Bishnupur or Keyaboti.

Where to get: Chowringhee Lane, Swabhumi Heritage Park.

Traditional Sarees

Image credit: www.myntra.com

The most popular traditional saree worn by the women of Kolkata especially during the world famous Durga Puja is the 'Lal Paar' saree or white saree with red border. Kolkata is also famous for its exquisite silk sarees namely the Vishnupuri and Tassar silk. Sarees with Jamdani work are also very popular as they look very elegant and gorgeous. Handloom cotton sarees in bright colours are perfect for the summers as they give total comfort and Baluchari sarees with pictorial themes are wanted during festivals and religious occasions. It's also a tradition for the Bengali brides of Kolkata to get married wearing a Benarasi sari with very minute thread work on them. Another sophisticated piece is the famous Bangladeshi Dhakai saree which are treated as valuable pieces by Saree fanatic ladies and if you have one such lady at your home then you are sure to get at least one Dhakai request on your Kolkata trip.

Where to get: Dakshinapan Shopping Complex, Adi Dhakeswari Bastralaya, Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal.

There is good news for all the tea lovers out there. Tea leafs find their way into the City of Joy right from the tea estates of Darjeeling and hence is pure till the last one. From green tea to black tea to roasted tea to organic tea to tea of various flavours like ginger, masala, cinnamon etc all kinds are found here. This aromatic beverage is going to win your heart and also of those who are invited to your home for tea.

Where to get: Mahabodhi Tea Company (Rashbehari Avenue)

Papier Mâché Masks

West Bengal is an artisan filled region and Kolkata is the hub that displays a variety of the finest art. Bold paper mâché masks depict one such art of the place which rises from the Purulia district. These masks depict mythological characters starting from deities to demons. Paper mâché masks are made by dipping paper in glue and then covering a clay model with it. Once it becomes dry, it is removed from the clay mould and painted bright and ecstatic colours which are then used in folk festivals as well as for decorating homes. Wooden masks are also very popular handicrafts along with the famous Bengal Cchaau masks.

Where to get: Biswa Bangla Store

Dokra

This is a craft to produce non-ferrous metal casting which is being used in India since thousands of years and is popular all over the world. The Kamar tribes of West Bengal are proficient in this skill. Artisans usually produce figurines of deities, sacred animals and birds. Jewellery items like necklaces, earrings and bracelets have a rustic ethnic look and looks really good when paired up with sarees on festivals. Figurines of tribal and folk look, dance postures as well as vases and vessels are also popular among people.

Where to get: Exclusive Indian Handicrafts, India Craft International

Kalighat Pata-Chitra (Paintings)

This form of art originated in the 19th century and involves ethnic paintings drawn on paper in long bold sweeps of the brush by artisans named Patuas who are settled in the vicinity of Kali temple at Kalighat. The bright eye catching colours of these paintings and the mythological scenes depicted by them add to their glory. Many paintings of this genre can be found in European museums today. If you want to take back home something worthy then this painting as a souvenir will live up to its name.

Where to get: Chitrakoot Art Gallery

Kantha Embroidery

This type of intricate running stitch is a highly demanded embroidery work on fabrics such as silk and cotton. It is usually done on dhotis, kurtas, sarees, stoles and the famous 'Panjabi' worn by men. Nowadays, this work can also be seen on beddings and bags. It is one of the most sought after souvenirs of the city the cherry on the cake being its relatively cheaper price than the rest of the country.

Where to get: Dakshinapan Shopping Complex, Gariahat Market