Typical Old Calcutta street

I have to admit that the first thing that struck me on this trip, as I entered Calcutta at 2 A.M in the night more than two weeks ago, was how old the city looked. There are large parts of it, where the houses are in severe need of repair, or at least a paint job. Due to the heavy rains in the city, all walls are mossy, and there are plants sprouting out from the cracks. Each house is intricately designed but bears a melancholy look that characterizes the older parts of Calcutta. It is sad to walk through those roads, but one can't help but imagine the number of stories each nook and corner of the city may hold.

No wonder, Calcutta produces more artists than any other part of the country.