Let us take the example of the popular rivalry between its two most celebrated teams - Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. So, can we seek some answers about the core cultural values of Bengal from its much loved sport? However, what is interesting is that like every sport, football too is deeply rooted in the cultural and social context of our times and region. Remember the rumours that made the rounds some years ago of the capital city being painted blue and white to express support for its favourite team, Argentina, during the World Cup? One of the major fixations of Bengal is football and its love of the sport is well-known across the country. Perceptions of course don’t exist in vacuum, but in our tendency to characterise regions and their residents in a single tone, are we sweeping some truths under the carpet?īeing Bengali is, of course, very important for a mass of people so sensitive and committed towards the state's culture and their identity as a group, but what else can a native of West Bengal be?

Many thought this sudden shift from the realm of ideas and debate - despite the presence of its much celebrated ‘ buddhijeebi’ or intelligentsia and an equally vibrant university culture - to a spectacle of brazen muscle-and-weapon was some sort of a break from its liberal values.Īll in all, the incident somehow broke the traditional image of Bengal as a ’non-violent’ and progressive region that is more inclusive because of its long affair with leftist ideals and ideology. Recently, a news flash showing a group of youths rallying the streets of the capital, Kolkata, and in other parts of West Bengal, triggered a host of reactions expressing alarm and surprise.

Bengali country