Madthinksss Stories

21/01/2025

In the heart of Baghmundi village, Purulia, lies a sweet tradition that began 40 years ago with Azhar Mondol, a kind and dedicated local resident who pioneered the craft of Nolen Gur making. This documentary captures the timeless connection between Bengal's winter and the aroma of freshly made Nolen Gur. From collecting sap at dawn to boiling it into golden nectar..this is a story of heritage, hard work and community a tradition that lives on as a symbol of Bengal's winter charm. I dedicate this documentary to the Gur-makers of Baghmundi, and all the Gur-makers across Bengal who continue to preserve and nurture this sweet legacy of Bengal.

A heartfelt thanks to Azhar Mandal, whose generosity and permission to document this process made it all possible. Without him, this story would have been completely incomplete.

16/01/2025

আপনারা কি বিশ্বাস করবেন? যদি বলি, পুরুলিয়ার বাঘমুণ্ডি গ্রামে নলেন গুড় তৈরির সূচনা করেছিলেন গ্রামেরই একজন বাসিন্দা, আজহার মণ্ডল। প্রায় ৪০ বছর ধরে এই কাজে যুক্ত আছেন তিনি। তাঁর থেকেই শুরু হয় এই গ্রামে গুড় বানানোর গল্প। শীতের নলেন গুড় আর গ্রামবাংলার সম্পর্ক প্রাচীনকাল থেকে অটুট। সেই সম্পর্ক আজও জীবন্ত। বাঘমুণ্ডির প্রতিটি কোণে শীতকালে নলেন গুড় তৈরি হয়। তাহলে ধরেই নেওয়া যায়, এই গ্রামে আজকের নলেন গুড়ের ইতিহাস প্রায় ৪০ বছরের পুরনো।

ভোর সাড়ে তিনটা থেকে ছ'টা পর্যন্ত খেজুর গাছের রস সংগ্রহ করা হয়। তারপর সেই রস পৌঁছে যায় চুল্লির ধারে, যেখানে কাঠের আগুনে ফুটতে থাকে সোনালি তরল। এখান থেকেই তৈরি হয় সুগন্ধী নলেন গুড় আর পাটালি। তারপর সেই গুড় গ্রামের স্থানীয় বাজারে এবং কলকাতার বিভিন্ন জায়গায় বিক্রির জন্য পাঠানো হয়। শীতের সকালে নলেন গুড়ের গন্ধ যেন পুরো বাঙালির হৃদয় জুড়ে একটা আলাদা উষ্ণতা এনে দেয়।

আর বাঙালির কথা উঠলেই, এক কথায় বলা যায়, বাঙালি মানেই 'পেটুক'। শীতের সময় নলেন গুড় দিয়ে তৈরি রসগোল্লা, সন্দেশ, পিঠেপুলি - এসব ছাড়া বাঙালির জীবন যেন অসম্পূর্ণ। গরম ভাপা পিঠার সাথে নলেন গুড়ের মিষ্টি গন্ধ মিশে যে আনন্দ তৈরি হয়, তা ভাষায় বোঝানো কঠিন।

বাঘমুণ্ডির নলেন গুড় শুধুমাত্র একটি মিষ্টি নয়, এটি গ্রামবাংলার ঐতিহ্য, কঠোর পরিশ্রম, এবং প্রকৃতির সঙ্গে মানুষের মেলবন্ধনের এক অসাধারণ উদাহরণ।
A Madthinksss Stories Production
Cinematography | Editing | Script : 📽️

📍 PURULIA,Baghmundi

02/01/2025

[Mamabari and the Lost Simplicity]
When I was just a little kid, one of my favorite moments was during holidays traveling to my mamabari [Grandma's house]. We Bengalis call it mamabari and for me, it wasn't just a house but a sanctuary.We would always travel from Kolkata to Soyla in the early morning. On those trips, I didn't need my mother to wake me up. Growing up in a chaotic town where the streets were noisy and life always felt rushed, visiting mamabari was like stepping into a peaceful dream.
My mamabari was in Soyla, a small village in Paschim Medinipur. Every time we visited..it felt like entering a different world..a world filled with love, simplicity and joy. Life at mamabari was slower yet so much more fulfilling.
But as time went on, things changed. Most people from the village moved away and some to other states,My mamabari grew quieter,and after my grandmother passed away..it felt as if the soul of the house was gone.
But this winter after many years..I visited Soyla again. Leaving behind the chaos of city life..Walking through the fields and lanes..I felt an overwhelming wave of nostalgia.
As I wandered through the familiar paths... I saw a little boy playing in the fields, carefree and full of life. He reminded me of my younger self free, unburdened, and living in the moment. For a fleeting second..
I wished I could go back to those days..living without the pressures and complexities of adulthood.
Life changes as we grow. As children we marvel at the simplicity of the world..finding joy in the smallest things,,a walk through the fields, the sound of rustling leaves, or a shared laugh with family. But adulthood brings responsibilities, jobs, and a constant race to achieve more..often pulling us away from the innocence of our early years.
As adults..we often lose ourselves in the chaos of work and obligations, forgetting the carefree moments that once defined us.
In the end, life isn't just about running after achievements. It's also about holding onto the little joys and revisiting the places and memories that made us who we are. My trip back to mamabari reminded me of this and for that...I'll always be grateful.
Madthinksss Stories

30/12/2024

December comes with a new charm, as Calcutta embraces its misty morning whispers. The fog blankets the streets, the city's soul wrapped in winter's embrace. ‘कलकत्ते जैसा शहर तो रूहे जमीं पे नहीं’where every corner tells a story, and every breath feels like poetry.

20/12/2024

["বছর গেল, বছর এল, জীবন শিখিয়ে গেল কিছু হারানো, কিছু পাওয়ার গল্প।"
Years pass, years arrive, life teaches us tales of loss and gain.]
Every year is like a chapter in the book of our lives, and 2024 has been no different. It came with lessons that shaped us, moments that warmed our hearts, and challenges that made us stronger. This year gave us reasons to smile and moments to shed tears. Some people became a memory, leaving behind their love and lessons, while new souls entered our lives, bringing hope, joy, and new beginnings. As we step into the final days of this year, it feels as though time itself whispers to us reminding us of the value of every moment, the power of resilience, and the beauty of growth. Let's carry forward gratitude for what was, hope for what's to come, and kindness in our hearts as we welcome 2025 with open arms. 🌻

15/12/2024

In the quiet of December, where the mist wrote stories,They walked together...two hearts, one journey.The fog couldn't hide their love, nor time erase,For even in the cold, they found warmth in each other's embrace. 🌻

14/12/2024

শাল প্যাঁচানো শীতের গল্প 🌻

12/12/2024

In the hushed stillness of a foggy winter morning, Calcutta's Maidan comes alive in fragments of beauty. A yellow taxi hums past, a cricketer swings his bat in the distance, and a lone figure kneels to capture the grace of horses through his lens. The fog drapes the scene like an old canvas..soft, surreal, timeless. Here, every breath, every frame, and every step feels like poetry in motion, as winter in Calcutta quietly unfolds its stories.

05/12/2024

The heart of Kolkata beats strongest in Esplanade, where every corner hums with life. The old buildings stand tall, their facades weathered but proud, as if holding on to stories from another time. The city's iconic yellow taxis weave through the streets like fleeting moments, their black-and-white silhouettes giving them an almost ghostly elegance. Somewhere, a distant call of a street vendor fades into the background, blending with the rhythm of footsteps and the honking of horns. In this grayscale world, the colors are stripped away, but the emotions are vivid. It's here, in the dance of shadows and light, that the timeless soul of Kolkata reveals itself, waiting to be discovered by those who choose to stop and listen.

30/11/2024

Revisiting moments from Kolkata’s timeless traditions,captured during the Tarpan series at one of the serene Ganga ghats during Durga Puja 2023. I had shared this earlier on my instagram, but it feels right to bring it here because some stories deserve to be relived, again and again. These frames hold the essence of devotion, culture, and the soulful connection of the city with its sacred river.🌻

[𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟎𝟏,𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑]

29/11/2024

Two fingers holding fragile flowers, its petals trembling in the winter breeze. It's strange how something so small can carry the weight of love, life, and all those fleeting moments we often overlook. In the cold silence of winter, it's the little things that remind us we're alive. 🌻

27/11/2024

Welcome to Kolkata, the City of Joy! A symphony of history, culture, and emotions. From the sacred Ganga Ghats that tell tales of devotion to the timeless charm of Dakshineswar Mandir. Feel the rhythm of Durga Puja celebrations, the vibrant chaos of its streets, and the soul-stirring melodies of Bengali music. Each corner whispers a story, each moment sings a song. 🌻

A Madthinksss Stories Production
Cinematography | Editing | Script : Madthinksss Stories

22/11/2024

Welcome to the land of ancient charm and breathtaking beauty Purulia! Once known as Vajra Bhumi in ancient times, this district is a treasure trove of culture, history, and natural wonders. From its rugged hills to serene lakes, every corner of Purulia whispers tales of a bygone era. Step into this vibrant journey and discover the timeless beauty of Purulia District.

A Madthinksss Stories Production
Cinematography | Editing | Script : Madthinksss Stories

31/10/2024

শুভ দীপাবলির প্রীতি শুভেচ্ছা ও অভিনন্দন 🪔✨

26/10/2024