Kolkata (Calcutta), the only city in India with a Chinatown, celebrates the Chinese New Year with lots of enthusiasm. Earlier I wrote about the celebrations at Tiretti Bazaar, or the old Chinatown. This year I went to Tangra, or the new Chinatown, to cover the New Year’s Eve celebration at the Pei May Chinese High School.
Before entering the school, my wife and I decided to go for an early dinner at Kafulok. The new Chinatown is famous for the Chinese bar cum restaurants and most of them are pocket friendly. After the dinner, which we washed down with beer and breezer, we were all set to attend the celebration.
The brightly lit up road leading to Kafulok
A temporary gate in front of the Chinese Kali Temple
Chinese Kali Temple
Chinese Kali temple is a temple of the Hindu Goddess Kali, whom the Indian Chinese of this area also pray to. Hence the name.
Pei May Chinese High School
The Pei May Chinese High School compound is huge with a big building and open areas in front. It was all decked up with beautiful Chinese lanterns and lights.
The stage
There was a temple on the school building’s roof. People were coming to pray here before going down to attend the celebration.
Pei May School Temple
Pei May School Temple
Pei May School Temple
Pei May School Temple
Tangra decked up to celebrate Chinese New Year
Chinese lanterns
Chinese lanterns
The list of events for the evening was as below –
1. Traditional Drumming
2. Junior Lion Dance
3. Double Lions
4. Group Drumming
5. Cymbals Shuffling
6. Western Dance
7. Lion vs Monkey
8. Benches
9. Martial Art
10. Poles
Chinese New Year Celebration
Drumming
Chinese New Year Celebration [photo – Rajashree Talukdar]
Lion Dancers [photo – Rajashree Talukdar]
Lion Dancing [photo – Rajashree Talukdar]
The crowd [photo – Rajashree Talukdar]
Happy Face
Happy Faces
A little one in traditional dressing
Another one with grandfather
Martial Arts Skill Display
Martial Arts Skill Display
Lion on the benches
The lion on the benches
The lion on the poles
The performances ended around 11:30PM We thoroughly enjoyed all the performances and hope to come back to attend the celebrations next year 🙂
Must have been so much fun!! Lovely photo essay!
I didnt know that India has a Chinatown! Nice place!
I love watching the Chinese New Year Celebration and would love to receive angpaos. LOL! Those lanterns and dragon dance are my favorites.
Beautiful pictures and Thank you for share this information…..
I didnt know that there was only one chinatown in the whole of India. Look like lots of fun and entertainment to be had there from your photos.
Traveling to other places and experiencing big days, like this one, really is not only fun but shows you how people are in a non-daily way. I love it.
Looks like they put on an awesome show, the atmosphere must have been great. What a great way to celebrate!
I’m amazed India has only one Chinatown! Thought there would be a lot more than that. Your photos look great.
Always so fun much. Great photos too.
Honestly, I had no idea that India celebrated Chinese New Year to this extent. I knew about the Chinese population, but I guess it would be expected. I also didn’t know that they prayed to a Hindu Goddess.
I think it would amazing to spend Chinese New Year in somewhere that’s not the typical… I was in South America and totally forgot about it until my parents e-mailed me.. hah. Awesome experience in Calcutta! So glad I found this piece.
I don’t know if my comment went through. Anyway, Love the dragon dance and the those lanterns.