New Market Kolkata: Catch Glimpses Of Vintage Calcutta In This Lane

Are you looking for your next literary getaway if you're a voracious reader in Kolkata? There are many charming bookshops in Kolkata, and each one provides a unique reading experience.

Modern Depot: You will wind up having a pleasant talk with Prem Prakash, the proprietor, as soon as you walk inside this bookshop. He will become your go-to source for books after graciously finding the one you're seeking for. Mapmatics. Biomimicry. Analysis of Discourse. Astute readers who don't only read what they are told will definitely find their pick here. You can find some uncommon books here that you won't find at most other places.

Book Line: Stumbling up the creaking stairs of this 32-year-old bookstore in Tottee Lane, through the bleak arches, and into a room filled with volumes—books of odd colours, books you never even knew existed, much less were written—is an explosive sensation. Breathe in the atmosphere and allow your inner bookworm to enter a trance. European and Indian literature; books on space, travel, sports, and politics. As you enter the store, you'll come across books about history, art, fashion, culinary, wildlife, and much more.

Foreign Publishers Agency Book Sellers: A haven of information amid the chaos of loud hawkers on the Grand Hotel walkway, this is one of the few well chosen booksellers left in Kolkata. Owner Babuda possesses a unique natural ability to recognise your reading preferences and recommend books. Go with an open mind, and you'll return with full bags and empty pockets!

The second-hand book stores are where you might just get your favourite book sets, hard-cover books and almost new books at a very minimal price! You can also take a peek into Oxford Bookstore, Boi Mahal and Siksha Prakashan.

Tram tracks connect Old Calcutta, however the West Bengal government recently declared that the service is set to be discontinued. 

But don't give up hope yet; there is a special Heritage Tram ride that takes you from Maidan to Esplanade and goes by all of the attractions, including the Victoria Memorial, South Park Street Cemetery, St Teresa's Residence, Church of Christ the King, Birla Mandir, Sacred Heart Church, and Tipu Sultan Masjid.

For this ride, tickets must be booked. Heritage Tram rides come in two varieties: a standard tram ride and a tram ride that also leads to the Calcutta Tramways Museum. The tickets include snacks and food throughout the ride too!

Timing: 9 AM - 6 PM everyday.

Price: INR 5,153 onwards.

For more information you can checkout their official website. 

If you're an audiophile who believes that vinyl sounds better than digital sources, a stroll through New Market from one vinyl store to the next is a must! The experience will allow you to customise it to your liking. A tangible artefact to own, liner notes to read, and other tactile experiences also come with vinyl. So, these are the stores you want to check out for a dose of vintage nostalgia.

Danish Prince Record Shop: Antique pieces from the most rare vinyl collection! Prince Bhai, the owner will assist you in selecting and acquiring the best sounds from the collection. Located on Mirza Ghalib Street, it is one of the oldest and best stores for all of your antique vinyl music needs. His father was a well-known figure in the vinyl music industry. He has a huge collection of LPs and EPs from several genres and eras. They also renovate and sell ancient gramophones, record players, and turntables. A good selection of Indian classical instrumentals by Ravisankar Ji, Bilayat Khan, Shivkumar Sharma, and others.

Vinyl Record Western Pop Store: This vinyl store has a small selection of records and an incredibly nice staff. You will be able to browse their assortment at your leisure, which is not the case in most businesses around here. A must-see for record aficionados. This record shop reflects Kolkata's love for music and is an integral part of the city's identity. It is among the greatest locations in the city to purchase old vinyl albums.

Vibrations: One store that is particularly noteworthy when discussing vinyl records and the city of joy is Vibrations, which has been around for 70 years. It has an amazing collection and is located on Mirza Ghalib Street. Second-hand and unusual items are available here, making it more of a collector's playground. From Lata Mangeshkar to the German progressive rock group Eloy from the 1970s. The rarest records, ranging from Urdu Ghazals to classical compositions by Mozart, Debussy, Chopin, and others, can be found, but they are generally hidden from public view.

Numerous shops offering camera gear can be found on Motilal Sil Street, sometimes called Metro Gali, a bylane off Dharmatala Street. Lenses, lighting, tripods, batteries, backpacks, microphones, and memory cards are also available. If something is out of stock, don't freak out. They will get it for you if you place an order. Is your camera in need of repair? Be at ease. Come to any of the stores to see these experts at work for less money.

If you want to get your hands on vintage cameras, visit M.A. Photographic Centre. Your heart will skip a beat when you spot the Bell & Howell movie camera, Zeiss Ikon Box, and  Kodak Baby Brownie on the shelves!

One of the oldest structures in Kolkata is Shaheed Minar, also known as Ochterlony Monument, which was constructed in 1828. Originally, the British East India Company Commander, Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, had this magnificent building built to honour his accomplishments. 

Where History Stands Tall

This magnificent landmark was converted to Shaheed Minar, often known as the "Martyr's Tower," in 1969. Since then, Shaheed Minar has been gazetted as the emblem of peace.

With a height of 48 metres, Shaheed Minar offers a breathtaking view of the City of Joy. But, to get to the top two balconies, you will have to  climb 218 stairs. If you’re willing to do that, you might just capture a frame almost like a postcard!

A large field known as Shaheed Minar Maidan or Brigade Ground  takes up the area south of the Shaheed Minar. This place has a history of hosting political rallies and protests. In 1931, Kavi Guru Rabindranath Tagore organised the first political meeting at this spot to oppose the British murder of a youth in Hijli. Since then, the ground has hosted innumerable political gatherings.

And here’s a lesser known fact— Mark Twain dubbed Shaheed Minar the "cloud-kissing monument.”

LBB tip: You will need permission from the police to climb the steps to Shaheed Minar. 

Did you know Kolkata is home to India's first movie hall? It is undeniable that Kolkata has a deep passion for films. The former home of Chaplin, Tiger, Lighthouse, New Empire, Globe, Roxy, Paradise, Elite, Metro, Lotus, Jyoti, Crown, New Cinema, Opera Show House, Society, and Majestic is now a quiet witness to two distinct fates for the city's single-screen cinemas.

It may surprise you to learn that Warner Brothers controlled the New Empire from 1970 to 1989.  The Roxy Cinema has been given new life after signing a lease with KMC and a few developers, while the bottom floor of Paradise has been transformed into a fashion boutique. 

Regal is now home to food joints such as KFC and Pizza Hut, while Elite, which was once the ultimate spot for all the Bridgerton-worthy ballroom dancing before becoming a popular English single screen theatre, serves as the backdrop for your visit to New Market and the surrounding areas in Kolkata.

These once-grand cinemas, which were packed with moviegoers, are now in disrepair. Only a few have been rehabilitated for present usage, while the majority remain in a state of ruin. 

But don't worry, you can still get those perfect old Calcutta Insta pictures, reels, and photographs if you feel like because New Market in Kolkata and the neighbouring alleyways never disappoint when it comes to aesthetic, timeless and postcard worthy emotions.

By car: If you’re driving your own car, there is paid parking near Esplanade and Roxy Cinema. You will have to walk. While using Ola/Uber/In Drive facilities, you drop off location should either Oberoi Grand or the KMC building.

By train: Take a metro train to Esplanade metro station. Exit from the gate which is towards Peerless Hotel.

By bus: You can also take a non-AC or an AC bus to Esplanade as your next bus stop.

Timing: Monday to Saturday, 10: 00 AM - 8: 00 PM. Closed on Saturdays.