Anecdote of the unpretentious “Bhar Cha” of Kolkata:

There are few things that never changes with the tide of time. One such tale is the farrago of a Bhar (Kulhad/ clay cup) Cha, cigarette and Bengali “allochona” (discussion). No matter what time of the day, the concoction of these three, construes the meaning to any discourse. Be it a passionate deliberation on East Bengal or Mohan Bagan, or on Dada, corroborating how great he was as a player, or commenting how the traditional ways of living was superior to the present time, “Bhar cha” is the only thing, which is agreed in unison throughout the casual but rather antagonistic wrangling. At times, the Bhar becomes a masquerade of chivalry, once the intense polemic is won by shattering it against the ground, returning the clay to the earth from which it was made – but before that ensuring the Bhar is empty.

This uncomplicated thing called “Bhar cha” is an enigma that has been facilitating in numerous colloquies since ages. The famed “Bangali Adda” is unfinished until there has been couple of rounds of the piping hot “Bhar Cha” and half burning cigarette. The lingering taste of Bhar Cha or earthen pot is unrivaled. Whether it be the time to rejoice or moment of grief and sorrow, this Bhar Cha has invariably connected with every teaholic. 

Perhaps it won’t be inaccurate to say that the contemporary axiom for all Bangali’s or people visiting the teeming alleys of Kolkata would be – “A lot can happen over a Bhar Cha”.