Kolkata: Sanskrit College to showcase College Street's history through gallery
A gallery, showcasing the history of Kolkata's College Street area and the world-famous book market there, will come up at the 194-year-old Sanskrit College and University in the city. The gallery will highlight the history of College Street and the hallowed institutions skirting the street, Vice-Chancellor Paula Banerjee said on the sidelines of the 194th-anniversary celebrations of Sanskrit College and University. Here's more.
College Street surrounded by many noted institutions
The College Street area is also surrounded by institutions such as the Calcutta University, the Presidency University, the Hare School, the Hindu School and the Coffee House. "You cannot think about College Street without these institutions and hence the gallery will also refer to these institutions, and how they became an integral part of College Street," said Sanskrit College and University VC Paula Banerjee.
All educational institutions there were established in 19th century
The history behind College Street goes back to the time when the Hindu College was established in 1817, which was later renamed as the Presidency College. Other educational institutions there also came up during the 19th century. While the Calcutta University was established in 1857, the Hindu School came up in 1817, the Hare School in 1818, and the Sanskrit College in 1824.
Gallery project-report to be sent for Higher Education Department's sanction
"Our teachers and scholars are already doing research work on the past history of the place, and the institutions, and the luminaries who had been associated with these places," VC Paula Banerjee said. She added, "We also plan to approach the Curator of Victoria Memorial Jayanta Sengupta, who is an expert in this field, for his inputs to prepare a detailed project report."
One of a kind book market in the world
Dotted with makeshift bookstalls, College Street is one-of-a-kind book market in the world that draws locals and tourists alike from every nook and cranny of the globe. Clothes, hand-made pottery articles, and brass ornaments, which were part of the lifestyle of the common people of the 19th century of the city will also be put up for display in the gallery, Banerjee said.
