A Bengali in Paris

On a Sunday evening, I walked past the Place de la République in Paris. There was a huge congregation of protestors, feverishly expressing their discontent. Many sat around the square; some were passionately debating, and others were just lazing around, taking a puff. It reminded me of my city and my people. That’s when the similarities struck me, and I chose to write this article.?

I have been to Paris countless times, and each time, it leaves me intrigued. The capital city of France, also called the city of lights, fashion, and love, draws more tourists than any other city in the world. Tourists flock here for the quintessential French experience. A city steeped in history and culture is dotted with iconic landmarks. Some say Paris is full of squatters and gets more attention than it deserves. I say that Paris has a vibe that no other place has!

I am a Bengali who grew up in Calcutta (now Kolkata), which was the capital of India under British rule. Known for its poverty and palaces, it is a city like no other.?

Bengal, in the east of India, was under British rule for a long time and has had little connection with France. Yet the similarities between the French and the Bengalis can’t go unnoticed. I set out to write the most unfounded article to date. In the end, I hope you make sense of it all. Happy reading.

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1.???? Renaissance happened here!

Renaissance is a French word meaning 'rebirth’ and it refers to the revival of human faculty. It was during this era that Europe witnessed breakthroughs in art, philosophy, and technology. While it started in Italy, it soon spread across Europe, and France was at its epicenter. The revolution in France brought down monarchies and heralded the age of democracy, which changed the world forever.

Under the British occupation, when it couldn’t get any worse for India, she too witnessed a Renaissance. And it happened in Bengal! It started with Rammohan Roy abolishing sati and was carried forward by luminaries like Vivekananda, JC Bose, Rabindranath, and others who changed India forever. Like it was said then, ‘What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow.’

France and Bengal have experienced cultural parallels, which possibly explains the creative bent of mind. The inclination for everything to do with art and literature.?

The Olympics in Paris is only a few months away, and I was told the risk of alarming protests is real. In Bengal, protests and uprisings have always been a way of life. The propensity to not confirm and debate also possibly stems from the same.

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2.???? A musical or a language?

Around the world, about the same number of people speak French and Bengali, and that’s 300 million people!

I don’t speak French, but I love the sound of it. The French language is known as one of the world’s most romantic languages that induces the spirit of poetry, music, and desire.

It is said, ‘Experience Bengal, the sweetest part of India’. The sweet part is, of course, the language. Both languages have a way of expressing themselves that is very similar because of their musicality. French and Bengali skip the hard consonants, stressing the vowels. The words almost fuse into musical expressions. Making it soft, sweet, and much like a symphony!

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3.???? The same story books!

My love affair with the adventures of Asterix started at a young age. The BFFs Asterix and Obelix would take on the Roman army of Julius Caesar to save their beloved Gaul (present-day France). They were blessed by the power of magic potion that gave them supernatural powers. Gupi and Bagha, the BFFs from Bengal too, were blessed by the ghost king as they set out on their journey to explore the world. As Tintin set out on an adventure to every corner of the world, so did Shankar. As the astute Hercule Poirot solved the mysteries, so did Byomkesh. In the company of the Petit Prince, I feasted on fantasy, much like I did with Apu.

We read the same story books!

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4.???? We are exclamatory!

In the Adventures of Asterix, “By Toutatis!” bellows the chieftain Vitalstatistix, who dreads that the sky will fall on his head. I wondered how the Gauls’ are always exclaiming, much like the Bengalis!

Discussions often get animated: ‘Attendez! (sounds like ataun'), meaning ‘hold on!’ because everyone wants to make a point. Then comes my favorite, ‘Ooh lala!’ when the French must express surprise with admiration. It comes out sounding almost musical.

Bengalis, too, love the idea of expressing themselves in exclamations and have their own set of animated words. ‘Oodi baba’ and ‘fatafati’ are my favorites; it is the Bengali way of saying, Ooh lala! Some of you must be already wondering if there is something ‘gondogol’ in my head.?

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5.???? La Baguette and Luchi

La baguette, an iconic symbol of French culinary tradition, holds a special place in the hearts of the French. This slender loaf of bread, with its crispy crust, carries immense cultural significance.

Much like the La Baguette, the humble fluffy luchi is close to every Bengali’s heart. Luchi is a deep-fried flatbread that is unique to Bengal (and to call it a poori is sacrilege).

The French take their food, cheese, and wine seriously, much like the Bengalis take their hilsa fish and roshogolla.

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6.???? Marianne and Maa Durga

While witnessing the demonstration at Place de la République, my eyes fell on a majestic statue. It was the same lady who carries the French flag in the famous painting of Liberty Leading the People.

That is Marianne! Who is she? She isn’t a real person, yet she is everywhere in France! Marianne is a female allegory, an embodiment of the French Republic. She is the national symbol of unity, and every French person identifies with her.

Much like Maa Durga in Bengal? Maa Durga, a mother of four, is also a fierce warrior goddess who defeats evil. In Bengal, she is worshipped with much fanfare.

Marianne and Maa Durga shared a similarity in their celebration of feminine fortitude and the motherland.

7.???? A tale of two cities

Paris and Calcutta- I can already see many of you jumping off your seats. What an absurd comparison but wait it is not!

Paris was already the largest European city during the Middle Ages and continued to gain prominence with time. For the longest time, Kolkata was the second-most important city under British rule. It was not only the economic hub of India but also an industrial hub for colonial-era Asia.

Set on the banks of the Sienne and Hoogly rivers, both are densely populated metropolises with over 10 million people. Paris is a melting pot of immigrants; look at the football team in France; you will surely notice the diversity. The team is resplendent with sons of immigrants. Likewise, Kolkata has seen an influx of migrants from neighboring states who moved here in search of employment. There are the Chinese, Zoroastrians, Armenians, Jews; and then there are the Marwaris who are the backbone of the business scene of the city.

Over the course of the last many decades, Kolkata has gone into a downward spiral into the abyss. Paris has continued to thrive and shine brighter than ever.

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As I conclude, despite the similarities, France and Bengal are not a fair comparison.

Napoleon conquered mainland Europe, and the French were a colonial force to be reckoned with for much of history. It is home to the world's leading corporations; 50 of the Top 500 corporations are French. The CERN Hydron Collider, the epitome of technological advancement, is led by the French. The French created and operated the only supersonic commercial airline, Corcorde. The list is never-ending.

Someone told me Paris is in decline. That’s when I recalled the image of a ship navigating through rough waves: “fluctuat nec mergitur,” which means “tossed by the waves but never sunk."

That’s the motto and spirit of Paris!

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PS. Sharing a picture of our team based in Paris. This team leads the French African business and exports from France. Just in case you didn’t know, ‘Maille’ is the best mustard brand in the world that is older than Napoleon!