Kalimpong Sixties
You might recall the streets of Kalimpong
when we could walk,
when we could talk,
and laze away our moments waiting for the papers at Himalayan Store .
Repeated rounds of Main Road,
‘half glass’ tea at Dipali and Narayan Das,
Were just excuses to prolong the hope
of saying a shy Hi to someone special !
The “bioscopes” in Kanchan and Novelty
Put dreams in us of the big world across Teesta Bridge!
The ‘coming’ posters of great hit movies -
Magnificent Seven, Great Escape, Guns of Navarone !
Were seen with such avidity.
Melville de Mello and Binaca Hit Parade
Brought all ears closer to whining and whistling radios;
While black-white photos were paint-brushed into colorful life
in Gopal, Om and SKG studios !
Guitar strings from Premalaya produced music notes
Of Beatles, Carpenters, and Tom Jones
that still pull at our old scarred hearts !
Packed Dharma Hall in Kumudini, showed us our roots
With Gopal Yonjan and Aruna Lama at the mike!
“Baishaki ban ma..” and “Nau laakhey taara”
Stirred new emotions within us, our very own emotions !
And who can explain the mad, chaotic happiness
that Pandrah August brought to young and old ?
Kira Kanchha, and Hum Jaayega seem so much taller
now that the laughter they evoked is heard no more ..
The great bell of Macfarlane Church
has come down from its lofty perch,
but still rings in many hearts of many faiths !
And Relli, dear old Relli
your memories of sunny picnics flow much farther
than the Teesta- Rangeet you embrace !
My dear Kalimpong !
You have outlived Graham, Sutherland, and Tibet trade.
Great local souls, who grew up with you, have peacefully closed their eyes in your lap!
Even as you continue your endless journey of time,
Leaning cozily on Kanchenjunga,
I’ll say something which many have said, and still do -
Kalimpong I love you!
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James Simick is a Kalimpong poet residing in Kolkata, leading a retired life and dabbling in his childhood passion of words.
