By now everyone living in Kolkata has learnt to call the main thoroughfare linking Sealdah and the Rabindra Sadan crossing AJC Bose Road instead of the well established Lower Circular Road. Similarly, Bidhan Sarani has found a place in popular usage many years after the road in the heart of North Kolkata was called Cornwallis Street and housed everything from the Kali Temple at Thanthania and the Sadhran Brahmo Samaj not very far away to the well-known cinema Rupabani which was christened by Rabindranath but has, sadly, been demolished to make way for a commercial centre and housing complex. The question remains as to how long it takes for new road names to move from statute books to general conversation when the old names are so widely used. The doubts may not prevail when Ballygunge Phari is renamed Suchitra Sen Square and part of Ballygunge Circular Road where the legendary star lived in virtual confinement till her death a couple of weeks ago begins to be called Suchitra Sen Sarani. There could be some confusion about the two areas being so close to one another when the new names begin to used more frequently. Considering the sentiments shared with regard to the star who stole a million hearts even when she lived as a recluse, no murmurs are likely to be heard about the Kolkata Municipal Corporation being over-enthusiastic about paying tribute to someone whose face on the screen revives so many happy memories. After all, when was the last occasion when the book fair authorities paid tribute to the departed legend by having an exclusive stall crammed with pictures, posters and publications? The only ticklish question could be that Ballygunge Circular Road where she lived was also the place where Pramathesh Chandra Barua, walked the pavements in a different social setting. The legend of the early talkies encountered neither high-rises nor any ice-cream parlour offering Italian brands. Barua was one of the celebrities – much like Suchitra Sen – housed in charming bungalows that dotted the area before the developers went into an overdrive. The star of Harano Sur, Saptapadi and Deep Jele Jai experienced both kinds of urban luxury in the same area but would certainly not have objected to the renaming honour being shared with her illustrious predecessor.
The thought that may still tickle the minds of those who are wedded to the spirit of the City of Joy (or the “city of processions”) is that Kolkata throws up too many icons for consideration of the road renaming committee. Of course the names given to bridges, parks and establishments have done justice to many whose memory is cherished. But are there names that haven’t clicked though they may have been equally well deserving? Is that the reason why Bowbazar, Theatre Road, Southern Avenue, Dharamtala and Park Street have apparently survived on the lips of citizens who otherwise have the highest regard for personalities who have done the city proud regardless of whether they are mentioned by location hunters. The more practical concern is whether names of places rather than personalities are better signals for newcomers moving across a city that is rapidly expanding in all directions or even old-timers with a somewhat poor road sense. Like many things, this could blow up into an intellectual debate – and add to the excitement of living in Kolkata.