The Charm of Palanquin in Kolkata

The word “Palki” or “Palanquin” has enough charm associated with it. Today, it lends dimensions to thoughts and wings to the imaginations. The word produces an illusion in the mind of a movable wheel-less small box shaped room with a new bride sitting inside it. Along with it, the rhythmic humming of the palanquin carriers and the rural climax all touch the senses calmly.

The small box-shaped room has the sitting space for one or two people. However, it could be designed and shaped according to the requirement. Two to six carriers (as the case maybe) is required to lift it by the two outstretched wooden poles located on either side of the box. A solid designed palanquin weighs more than one hundred kilograms and with one or two people sitting inside, it could weigh around 250 kilograms or even more. Besides, there is a pillow behind for comfort on journey and a door alongside with curtain.

In Kolkata, usage of palanquin was very common in the past when there was lesser option available in terms of conveyance. To be precise, there was a time in the past when it was the only means of conveyance available for journey within the city or its outskirts. Even today, in the midst of all the modern means of conveyance it holds a special sweet spot in the hearts of millions. Therefore, its usage is still prevalent in certain important ceremonies of life. Since, it is considered auspicious its relevance is found in various sacred religious observances of human life like the wedding ceremonies. Irrespective of the event, it successfully draws everyone’s attention for sure.

While discussing palanquin another ancient conveyance that comes into the mind is Doli. The similarity between Doli and Palanquin is that both were used in the past to carry to carry a single or a couple of people from one place to another. Another similarity is that both were carried by carriers. The only prominent difference is while Doli required only two carriers to carry palanquins required four to six careers.

In the pre-independence era, with the advent of horse chariot in Kolkata, it was presumed that it would cause a serious threat in the usage of this ancient conveyance and it would fade out in no time. However, the opposite happened as palanquin became the mode of conveyance for all including the royal families (Zamindars and Baboos of the Kolkata) to the commons in those days.

There was a time in Kolkata when hiring a palanquin (along with five careers) for a day priced Re 1 and fifty paise for half-a-day. Again, was a time when the salary of a palanquin’s career was RS 5. So by comparison, if someone owned a palanquin he had to bear a monthly expenditure of around RS 5x6=RS 30 while if someone hired it had to bear a monthly expenditure of around RS 40. And, this statistic was of a time when the number of palanquin in Kolkata was more than six hundred. It was so popular that even the backbone of the entire postal services depended on it.

And, what is the scenario today? Fortunately, today, it is still in use, but limited to the certain auspicious occasions of life like weddings. Now-a-days, different types of sophisticated palanquins are available in Kolkata for the special events and thus anyone has the option to choose one according to one’s requirement.

Peeping into the life of the palanquin carriers reveal that they are in this profession as were their forefathers. They have inherited the occupation or art from their fathers and their fathers from their fathers. They do point out that some of their friends or co-workers have left this profession and upgraded or equipped themselves with the know-how of other professions to sustain or meet both ends of life. Even there are some who have left the carrier profession forever while some of them do it on part-time basis.

Amidst all these, one of the brighter sides is that the palanquin is gaining popularity and momentum not only in Kolkata or West Bengal, but also in various other provinces of India including the states of Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, etc. In the West Bengal State itself the carriers making their way to the metropolitan city of Kolkata from the interiors of Kanthi, Malda, Berhampur and South 24 Parganas. The tradition, since its inception, not only given them a ray of hope for their future, but also providing them that extra mileage or nudge that is required when one steps out from the comfort zone for the first time in search of money and livelihood.