Bong connection

I am a typical Bengali,but just differnt in one sense:I was born in Kokata,but grew up in Delhi.So in some ways I have a broader outlook than Bengalis who are born and brought up in Kolkata.Its more like being aware that being Bengali doesn't mean that you cannot mix with non-Bengalis(yes,even Punjabis who r considerd our rivals for some absurd reason!) The truth is Bengalis have their place and Punjabis theirs,and unlike what Rudyar Kipling said about the east and west,the twain shall meet!!
Some Punjabis can be more like bengalis,and vice-versa. What I mean is that some Punjabis are quite different from majority of Punjabis,and some Bengalis are quite different from other bengalis.so we should resist the temptation of generalizing!!

Well,in ways which I am 'typically' Bengali(conforming to the stereotypes which are associated with bengalis for convenaince sake;) I like eating rice, I am a little(well actually more than a little) inclined towards heated arguements and discussions, love litertaure(Don't say she is eng. hons she has to love lierature bcoz for me i chose eng. hons since i loved lierature!) and music and films; and Chinese is my favourite cuisine.
But frankly speaking,Delhi and its Punjabi culture hasn't failed to move me.I am a fan of Bollywood music though i still find the dance too cheesy! Punjabi bhangra is more than tolerable to me,and yes,materialism is something I can't turn away from.
Yes,delhi's glitzy and loud culture has been a part of me just as the 'innate' bengali love of poetry,love of Leftism(yes, I am a Leftist and i hate Modi!) and training in classical music! I have realized that the two sides of me can co-exist quite happily.Though I am not great at reading and writing bengali,I have always spoken it at home. I am fiercely proud of Tagore,Satyajit ray,Kishore kumar,Amartya sen,Jhumpa Lahiri, Sushmita sen, Shreya Ghoshal etc all. Well,there are many more examples like Buddhadeb dasgupta,Jyoti basu,Ronen sen(despite his 'headless chickens' qote!) and so many more--and well,the love of learning which never fails to amaze me!!

When I was an adolescent,I hated being Bengali and also avoided speaking the language outside home(I actualy look back and smile at those days) I hated the numerous expectations that came along with it-be good at studies,good at music,good at swimming yet not be as jazzily dressed as my punjabi counterparts!!! I could not enter a disco,could not buy the most expensive watch in town just bcoz it was my b'day and could not wear make-up to school.My parents believed in Gadhi's philosohy-"High thinking and simple living!' whereas i just wanted the opposite!! I would like to say that they have changed in this respect now,and have become quite consumerist themselves!

Hmm...but now I am happy that my parents instilled love of things like theatre and literature in me.these are surely 'priceless' just as being Bengali is!!!