The opening scene of Spectre, the last James Bond film to be released, shows 007 chase a villain through throngs of Day of the Dead revellers in Mexico City. What if the next Bond film were to start with a scene set in Calcutta in the middle of Durga Puja, with 007 dodging the baddies on a Royal Enfield?
The suggestion came from Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of the British Council, during a trip to the city to strengthen cultural collaboration between the UK and India. Rodrigues, who is also chairman of the Port of London Authority, went pandal-hopping on Sunday and later spoke to Metro about his “unforgettable” Durga Puja experience and how to promote the festival internationally.
Unique and beautiful
My wife is an artist. This was probably the best day on a business trip she has ever had. For her as a paper maker and a textile artist, to see the pith work done at the Ballygunge Cultural Association pandal was extraordinary, unique and beautiful.
At Sovabazar Rajbari, it was a very personal experience. We were lucky to be introduced to the patriarch of the family. He showed us a book containing the names of all the people who had visited their family home. (Robert) Clive and (Warren) Hastings were some of the names. To a new pair of eyes, it’s all special.
Tip of the iceberg
What I saw yesterday was spectacular and quite extraordinary. I had some idea because of the partnership organised with the state government to take the story of Bengal into the UK. Before coming to Calcutta, I saw the Durga Puja exhibition on the banks of the Thames. But pictures do not give you an understanding of what goes on in Calcutta for 10 days. As a person who has spent more time in the tourism industry, I think the festival is an extraordinary asset, a triumph of human endeavour. It is big and it is inclusive.
To have a cultural event that reaches 10 million people puts you on top of the list in the world. But it is a bit like an iceberg. The little top is known, the rest is not. That means there is a great opportunity to bring foreign tourists to explore and understand Calcutta. The modern image of Calcutta is not yet registered in people’s minds.
Great story
Take the examples of so many places that are highly visited and very well known. Venice would be an example. Barcelona would be an example. When you look at what they have accomplished with no more than Calcutta has, it shows you what Calcutta can do. The story has a huge potential.
Bond with Bengal
I have an audacious idea for Bengal. The opening of the last Bond film was situated in Mexico during the Day of the Dead. Why isn’t the next one or the one after done here in Calcutta during the Durga Puja? That would be fantastic.
The Bengal government would have to persuade Barbara Broccoli (producer of the Bond films). Bond films have always been exciting and fun. But there is a travel backdrop almost always. The first one, Dr No, made people want to go to the Caribbean, to Jamaica.
(But) you cannot do things on your own. You need to reach out or partner with people who will help to tell your story. It’s a great story, but it has to get on the shopping list.
Daniel Craig as 007 in Spectre. File picture
