Well, everyone has to agree that one cannot avoid being a Bengali. They are very attractive, everything about them catches eye. Their attires, speaking style, food, reaction- actions and every its and bits. It is only in Bengal where Bengalis are divided into two groups – Ghoti and Bangal. Bangals’ are the people from Bnagladesh and Ghotis’ are the people of West-bengal. This discrimination happened right after the partition of our Bengal. Since then the big war has started amongst Ghoti-Bangal. Well. Here are some common occasions where they eventually take things personal.
- East-bengal vs Mohunbagan match. Football the lifeline of Bengalis,takes game very seriously. Especially when it is between East-bengal (the representative group of Bangals) and Mohunbagan (the representative group of Ghotis).
- Chingrimacher malaikari vs Sorshe Ilish bhanpa. The cuisines are also divided and segregated. Ghotis where very keen about eating poshto (poppy) and chingrimach (Prawn). Bangals are bent on their shutki mach (dried fish) and Ilish Mach (Hilsa). There are many more differences with their culinary terms. Ghotis makes everything sweet whether it is a curry or any sweet dish, both are equally sweetened. Bangals on the other hand eat everything spicy.
- The language, Bangal dialect vs Ghoti dialect. Your dialect will have the impact of the place where you belong and stay. There is no need to fight over or mock. But still given a chance each group will not leave any opportunity to mock on their language. Though both are Bengali, but spoken in a different way…both are equally sweet!!
- North Kolkata vs South Kolkata. It is said that North Kolkata is the hub of all Ghotis, the native of Kolkata, West-bengal. They are the bonedi-families (Royal families) and are the babu of the society. Whereas South Kolkata is the hub of all Bangals – the inhabitants of Bangladesh. According to Ghotis’ Bangals do not posses any bonediana. They are uncultured and uncouth. Believe it or not it’s a never ending fight.
- Ghoti biye vs Bangal biye AKA Marriage. Lot of confusion with the style of marriage. Though it is the way of union of two souls. Still they fight over the rituals and ceremonies. A Ghoti marriage the bride should enter sasur-bari (in-laws home) before 12 noon. And in Bangal marriage the bride will enter only after dusk.
- Eating habits. Ghotis are more prone on eating televaja and muri (fried and puffed rice) where as Bangals likes to have something spicy and chatpata. North Kolkata is very famous for sweet shops namely, Dwarik, Vim nag, Putiram, Nakur etc. Here they take legions on this over Bangals.
- Roads of North Kolkata are something very interesting. Gullys are very famous, every traveller, photographer visits at least once in these gullys and old house. But South Kolkata is all about big roads, high-rises.
- The fashion sense. The fashion of North Kolkata and South Kolkata are very different. North Kolkata believes in more traditional attires whereas South Kolkatans are more westernized.
Now you see why shouldn’t there be a war, so many differences among Bengalis?? But still both of them stand as unity in every way, guess that’s’ why they are so perfectly bonded. Absolutely made for each other!!
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