Calcutta Conversations

Calcutta has been declining for the past 100 years - or so the recieved wisdom goes. The authors have been coming to the city since the mid-1960s and their experience has belied all stereotypes. Intrigued by the negative images, often shared by Calcuttans themselves, they decided to explore views and perceptions indigenous to the city by holding a series of extended conversations with people whose lives were deeply enmeshed in the fate of the city. In the time-honored Bengali tradition of adda (informal conversations) they discussed many of the apparent contradictions with several friends and eminent Calcuttans. The result is this book, which illuminates one of the most vibrant and exasperating cities in the world.