‘Ki Nonsense Kotha Bolchen!’, a collection of caricatured terms and phrases quintessential Kolkatan in nature, is nothing but unadulterated joy. Painstakingly presented in this tiny pocket-size book by Debashish Deb and Mudar Patherya, it smacks of the City of Joy, the most colourful one in the world, by virtue of its ‘characters’. Kolkata does not run as much by logic or reason as by emotion. Here ‘Shobai Character’ (everyone living in Kolkata is a character). By that analogy, Kolkata has more characters per sq km than any other Indian city, 15.3 million and counting, which makes this no ordinary boi (book) but a celebration of these characters and their spirit — Maverick, Unique, Unpredictable, Effervescent, Excitable, and Rebel.
The title uses “Nonsense”, the only parliamentary English word to which the Bengali takes complete offence because it is synonymous with “extensive dismissiveness, complete disregard and a comprehensive decimation of respect”, simply a non-negotiable term and condition for their existence. If it offends you further, I could only say the most ridiculous line in a Kolkatan’s parlance — “Dhor to Aamakay!”

The tiny book (currently out of stock) has vividly captured the city’s distinctive lingual flavour — a part of it that speaks Bengali, a part that speaks English, a part that speaks Hindi and a part that speaks European… making Kolkata the melting pot of cultures and gives us a distinctive verbal reference for the city’s people, places, passion and purpose. It regales the outsider by capturing its varied essence. It makes the insider nostalgic, reminiscing about the characters who represent “innocence in a commercial world, a special sauce in an otherwise dull world, diversity in a conforming world and rebelliousness in a cowering world.”
After flipping through these pages, I can only exclaim, “Mairi! Hebbey Laagchey!” (Excellent) or better, “Aantel Marka” (deeply artistic with a profound thought).
But if you say, “Sheta Bodo Kotha Noi! (It’s no big deal)” I will give up because “Aar Baba Paarchi Na! Bolay Dilam Maanay Rella Nini Ba!” (I can’t deal with it anymore. Could you not create an uproar over it, pl)?
In praise of the Bhodrolok behind this creation, I can only say, “Uni Holayn Aamader Khoob My Dear Lok” (endearingly affable person), for adding many more terms to my limited Bengali vocabulary. If someone asks, “Kon Bawaal Kees” (Who created this drama)?, you can blame the “Goodself” (Yours Truly), “Babushona”!
I couldn’t help but agree with the duo that ‘Ei Rokom Jaayega Kothaaaao Nei’ (There’s no place like Kolkata anywhere), and this book is “Byaapak, Shanghaatik, Durdaanto, Phaatafati” — OUTSTANDING!
Boi ta fatiye diyeche! (The book has nailed Kolkata like never before).