The Laha Bari was like a mighty and wonderful river; the three Laha families appeared on the landscape of Calcutta from Chinsurah. They were the richest and most aristocratic family at that time in Calcutta, possessing the greatest wealth, antiquity, and culture. They made their name in that way, and whatever they have cultivated at that time is still visible.
When I was very young, around 6 years of age, I always accompanied my Grandmother during the time of summer vacation from school and on some other weekends with my Dad. My Grandmother was the daughter of one of the Lahas. The Raj Bari Laha had 50 or more maids and male servants to serve the needs of the household, as they had a huge and opulent courtyard, Manson. Ananta Jatha was my favorite, and Subol uncle had a doctor’s clinic in Kolkata. This is one of the most cherished memories I have with my grandmother in my childhood. When I slept with my grandmother, she used to tell me beautiful stories. When I remember her now, it brings tears to my eyes. I miss her so much. She was the sweetest person in my life.
I was overwhelmed by their aesthetic cultural sense as they had the most beautiful garden with many fountains and marble statues. I am not sure now whether they still exist, as I am far away from Kolkata. I also remember 2 to 3 beautifully decorated chariots adorned near the entrance of the driveway. I was tempted to enter them, but was reluctant to do so. One more thing I vividly remember is that Ananta Jatha had 2 sons, one of them was named Khokon, and the other one was Kalosona. Khokon used to tell my sister that he wanted to marry me. I protested at the top of my voice, “No, he won’t.” It was a game from my childhood that I remember.
I could surely hear the echo of my footsteps now, as I was the only girl running around on the second floor where the antique chair still resides. They had three other opulent houses with other brothers and relatives, and they had a gigantic Goddess Durga in the backyard platform, and many famous musicians used to come to play music and instruments for entertainment. Lastly, the third laha had so many artifacts that it was proposed that they could house a museum. Of many antiques, the most impressive antique to me was a huge white stone laughing Buddha residing at the end of the mahogany staircase. I used to roam around like a princess in a fairyland. It was my dreamland too.
I know now that the glory is bound to be depleted over the years, and the people I am talking about may or may not still be there. The USA is my homeland now. When I tell my kids that I am an aristocrat because of my grandmother, they say it is a thing of the past. I questioned that.