Straight from the Heart

One step at a time. Creeping up by inches, Like ants, They ascend. The mute hill cannot but stand Watching, As they rise Treading on its body. First the belly and moving up Towards its chest, Aiming for its jugular, In a lethal progress.

Choitre r jaala dhora roddur. Kalboishakhi r bhaangeni ekhuno ghum. Gariahaat er sale er season. Aar kichu khawa daoa chaaye mon, Chhoto boro Sokol restaurant tai byasto, korte aayojon. Er maajhe aashe notun Borsho! Calendar er paatay Tero parbon ke abar khunje paoar anondo. Ekta mishti onubhuti, Ektu bhalo laaga, Chhuti r aamej er resh dhore Notun ke ghore tola. Shubho hok shokoler Notun Borsho!

The bougainvillea is the star, falling like Rapunzel's locks from the top, trying to catch   attention as we walked in through the gates. Used as we are to stay confined in flats measuring in barely hundreds of Sq ft, a zamindar's mansion standing over 20 Acres of land inspired an awe and prompted us to plan a visit to this place. The zamindars of Itachuna built this place way back in 1700 after having probably had enough of the marauding lifestyle and intending to settle down to a life of regulated income flowing from agricultural taxes imposed on villagers. The mansion has all that is associated with houses of rich zamindars and Kings of yore; an imposing structure with the inner living areas  separated from the outer areas, the naach ghar and the offices, the stables and the kitchens and the mandir with the courtyard that was the stage for many a performance in times of festivals. The palace itself is set on sprawling acres of land replete with ponds, used by the Ze...