Lighthouse

 

‘Dada, where is the Lighthouse cinema?’

 

I stared at this man,

Did he return after an exile,

Or was he playing a prank?

 

‘Three decades, too late,’ I grumbled

To which he looked annoyed

Brandishing purple tickets in cheap paper

‘Spielberg, that too matinee

Are you crazy, I am late?’

And he moved away dismissively

 

I shook my head in disbelief

At his insanity,

But I turn around –

Something feels different

My city’s veneer smells different

I am stunned,

Wait, isn’t this the city of yesteryears?

I walk a few steps

And New Market returns like a dream –

The Arcade gleaming like it was born yesterday

New Empire, sparkling with success,

And Lighthouse as well –

Running Spielberg indeed!

I smell orange juice, incense sticks

The jingle-jangle of Rollicks ice cream vans

I almost taste the Chole Bhatura

 

That movie goers devour,

I marvel at the Archies gallery

Full of cute gifts

And here’s the bookshops of my childhood days

Mohan’s, Modern Books – oh where had you been?

 

A young boy walks around

Clutching a single book, newly purchased

All pocket money for months splurged

 

Ah, the rich days of poorer times –

The belle epoch of our times?

 

‘Dada, where is the Lighthouse cinema?’

He was there again

But this time, I point out,

And he dashes with a nod of thanks

The matinee has started

 

I close my eyes with a smile,

Cacophony wakes me up

I am awestruck again –

Where did my New Market go?

The lighthouse has run out of light

A Citi-mart occupies my theatre of wonder.

 

But the revenues are high

The city has made great progress…

 

02^nd June, 2026

 

Lighthouse Cinema was one of Kolkata's best-known movie theatres, located near New Market. For nearly 70 years, it was a popular destination for generations of filmgoers, particularly for Hollywood releases. The theatre became a landmark of the city's entertainment culture, known for its large single-screen format and busy matinee shows. Like many traditional cinemas, it eventually closed as viewing habits changed and multiplexes became dominant, marking the end of an era for Kolkata's movie-going public.