Field notes · 02 / 06 · Edition 02

Kolkata As We Know It

the city of joy, on a teenager’s map

By Pahal Sethi · Oct 2026 · 3 min read

You don’t really need an introduction to Kolkata. It is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, literature and, of course, its love for food. But ask a teenager what Kolkata means to them, and the response might be a little different. It is not just the Victoria Memorial or the Howrah Bridge. It is the city we grow up in, the places we visit with friends, the food we crave after school, and the traditions that somehow become a part of us.

For teenagers, Kolkata has its own little map. It includes Park Street for its lively atmosphere, South City Mall for the movies, and the Maidan for those rare days when we feel like doing something other than scrolling through our phones. South City Mall, is infact quite the hangout place, where a simple plan to window-shop somehow turns into hours of walking around, eating and talking about absolutely everything. And there’s always someone from your school playing in the arcade. So sometimes, the best plans are no plans at all. Just meeting friends, taking endless pictures and making ordinary afternoons memorable.

Of course, no description of Kolkata is complete without its food. From puchkas and jhalmuri at roadside stalls to kathi rolls and a plate of biryani, the city knows how to keep us happy. And then there is mishti doi and rosogolla, because no Bengali celebration feels quite complete without something sweet. Somehow, even the simplest street-food outing becomes an experience worth remembering.

What makes the city of joy, well, truly joyful, is how effortlessly its traditions fit into everyday life. Durga Puja is perhaps the best example. For a few days, the entire city seems to come alive with lights, music, new clothes and pandal-hopping that continues late into the night. People of all ages step out to celebrate, and even the busiest streets feel different. It is one of those times when being a part of Kolkata feels especially exciting.

But beyond its famous landmarks and festivals, Kolkata has a chic personality of its own. It’s a little chaotic, occasionally exhausting, and sometimes frustratingly slow. And Afterall, everyone here knows everyone somehow. Yet, there is a warmth to it that is difficult to explain to someone who has never lived here.

Perhaps that is what makes Kolkata ‘our city’. It isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t have to be. It is found in familiar streets, shared plates of food, spontaneous plans and memories we do not realise we are then making. This is Kolkata as we know it. It’s not just the city of joy, but the city we call our home.