Call of the Cage.

After a long time we set out again and decided to head towards the much pending destination of Galiff Street(near Baghbazar) in North Kolkata . When you know that for once the destination is not an archaeological site but a weekly pet and plant market you have little choice regarding embarking early in the morning. However , despite the delay, we reached early enough to be lost amidst the hustle and bustle ofthis animal planet. The cacophony of tweets, chirps and young unformed barks was enough to guide us into the busy Galiff street on a Sunday morning. This market was not just about a row of sellers holding numerable cages full of vibrant, colourful birds but perhaps more about the enthusiasm of the customers and habitual commercialism of the sellers that made the ambience ebullient without compromising on the pecuniary interests of both the parties. Before you realize you are literally pushed by the swarming heads along the road lined by uncountable number of puppies , birds and fishes on display in plastic bags hanging from peg-lines and brick walls. The grumpy, expressionless sellers stand in stark contrast to the restless, lively caged creatures making the most the incarcerated space. In this throng of animals and humans , not only do you get a pair of flowering plants at 10 Rs but also a pair of little chicks at the same price and don’t be too surprised if the empty cages on the other hand might cost you something like Rs 1900 . This is Galiff Street. Whether you are a greenfinger or a PETA Ambassador or just a plebeian animal lover , this is one place you must visit. Even if after a week of hectic schedule , waking up early to make a good bargain might not be easy in the least , this experience might definitely be worth it if you can find some amazing companions from the ones sold here.

 However , even minimal sensitivity to the folks of the animal kingdom might not please you to see all of them caged  for commercial exchanges and it might be hard to choose the right dealer if you are not too aware about the different breeds.

              Once you are done with a walk through the Animal planet in Kolkata , you can always maka a quick visit to the picturesque Basubati in Baghbazar and if it is a Sunday do not give the delectable Kachoris from the street side shops of Baghbazar a miss. The ideal North Calcuttan breakfast can be easily digested if you walk your way back through the snaky, shady by-lanes of the older part of the city.