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The Little Match Girl

In the cold and darkness, her fragile dreams burned briefly,

The Little Match Girl

In the cold and darkness, her fragile dreams burned briefly,

I learned the value of hard work by working hard.

— Margaret Mead

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What's New

Latest readings for today

Metropolis Musings
Editorial

Towns, cities and metropoles tend to become integral parts of the people who inhabit them.

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The Little Match Girl

In the cold and darkness, her fragile dreams burned briefly, glowing with warmth before fading into the silent night.

Poetry
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Fleeting Feelings

Waves blur into memories, dreams fracture and fade, and a fragile heart drifts between fire, rain, and forgotten promises.

Phnom Penh
S-21: Where Classrooms Taught Silence

A school in Phnom Penh became a prison, where silence learned to scream and memory refused to die.

Terracotta
Terracotta Panels depicting events related to Hindu epic Mahabharata in West Bengal Temples

Across Bengal’s terracotta temples, Mahabharata scenes emerge sparingly, decoded through careful scholarship, memory, and the patience of stone and history.

Christmas Celebration
When Christmas Paints the Streets of Kolkata

Moments of warmth, resilience, and togetherness - that together form a larger narrative of the city celebrating Christmas in its own distinctive way.

O.Henry
,
The Gift of the Magi

A tender Christmas tale where love’s quiet sacrifices reveal that true wealth lies not in possessions, but in devotion.

Editorial: The Pomegranate & The Promise- Vol: 2

The mini-saga, as a form of fiction, was invented by British science fiction writer Brian Aldiss and popularised by The Daily Telegraph in the 1980s.

Loyalty
Loyalty

On 8 August 1942, one shot, point blank. The loyal student ensured the professor rested in peace without him suspecting a thing.

Tomorrow
Tomorrow

Every year on this day, she returned to the café and ordered his favourite – two Americanos.

The Refund
The Refund

“You’re the perfect host,” the doll whispered as Rajesh kissed its rosy cheek goodnight. He recoiled saying, “No – I’ll kill myself!”

The Return
The Return

Wishing for her late husband’s return, Emma blew out the candles – her nightly ritual. Suddenly, her bedroom door creaked open.

The Presence
The Presence

The old clock struck midnight. A nervous Lydia stood before the mirror in her dimly lit room, whispering the forbidden name.

The Echo
The Echo

He pulled the woman from the edge of the bridge. “No one left,” she sobbed, echoing his late mother’s words.

The Thank-you Note
The Thank-you Note

One day, I froze suddenly – the handwriting in that letter was identical to the daughter’s suicide note.

The Gunshot
The Gunshot

They burst in, anxious, only to find the nervous old man before his TV muttering, “Actions films scare the hell out of me, help me

The April Fool
The April Fool

Jake was ecstatic at Lily’s early morning message, “Moving to your city.” Her second message an hour later, “April Fool,” shattered his joy beyond repair.

Identity
Identity

After a successful heart transplant, Martha drifted into consciousness to her husband’s unexpectedly chilling words: “A stranger’s heart beats within my wife.”

The Care
The Care

Each morning, Karan wakes in his lonely flat to half a glass of milk and two sandwiches. His ironed shirts and polished shoes gleam with

The Moment
The Moment

All she wanted was to stretch her perfect four years longer. She wasn’t ready to let their laughter fade into memory.

The Report
The Report

Arun’s trembling hands couldn’t open the biopsy report. ‘Stage four,’ he was certain. A sudden, searing pain tore through his chest.

The Promise
The Promise

Luke, without medical insurance, mortgaged his house to fund his open-heart surgery. Mark, his idealistic friend, scoffed, “I’d rather die active – sixty’s the perfect

Reviews

Essential readings for today

The Academy of Fine Arts
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The Fine Arts of Criminology

A bold, darkly comic neo-noir where violence, wit, and subversive storytelling redefine the boundaries of modern Bengali cinema.

Rainer Maria Rilke
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Fear of the Inexplicable and Other Poems – Rainer Maria Rilke

Rilke spoke openly and with great insight into the human experience of pain and joy, good and evil and the amalgamate of these.

Humans in the Loop
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Nature, Labour, and Algorithms: Inside the World of Humans in the Loop

A haunting portrait of tribal women powering AI’s invisible machinery, 'Humans in the Loop' reveals labour, bias, and nature’s quiet resistance.

KIFF
Kafkaesque to Kalia

A sweeping, reflective look at KIFF 2025—its tributes, global cinema, migration stories, and the enduring magic of film culture.

,
Books That Burst Out of Windows and Spiral Into Infinity – Part 2

A mesmerizing reflection on Prague’s Idiom sculpture that spirals through questions of books, knowledge, waste, and infinite human curiosity.

Book Sculpture
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Books That Burst Out of Windows and Spiral Into Infinity- Part 1 

A mesmerizing reflection on Prague’s Idiom sculpture that spirals through questions of books, knowledge, waste, and infinite human curiosity.

,

The Fine Arts of Criminology

A bold, darkly comic neo-noir where violence, wit, and subversive storytelling redefine the boundaries of modern Bengali cinema.

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History & Heritage

Essential readings for today

McLeod Rail
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When the Little Trains of Bengal Told Big Stories: The Forgotten Saga of McLeod Rail

Tiny trains stitched Bengal’s villages together—stopping for waved hands, carrying lives, memories, and a century of softly moving dreams.

Weaving
Celebrating Women and Weaving through Songs

Women have always done the preparatory work like spinning of the yarn as part of the work leading up to the final weaving.

Kabir Deb Language Cover
The Broken Body of a Province, The Fallen Voices of Its People

Our cultural dementia makes an entire nation isolate a particular region since its fight has been deliberately suppressed to enhance the delusion of peace.

Sandipa Malakar Chinese New Year Cover
Chinese New Year Celebration in Kolkata

The celebration is not just a festival, it’s a vibrant expression of tradition and culture.

Pijus Ash Kalpataru Tree Cover
The Tree that Grants Wishes: Legend of the Kalpataru

Essentially, Kalpataru is a tree conjured into existence by human desire and belief.

Sandipa Malakar Ganga Sagar Mela Cover
Ganga Sagar Mela: A Colourful Mosaic of Humanity

Where the holy Ganga meets the sea, faith blossoms under vibrant skies, uniting hearts at the serene Ganga Sagar Mela.

,

When the Little Trains of Bengal Told Big Stories: The Forgotten Saga of McLeod Rail

Tiny trains stitched Bengal’s villages together—stopping for waved hands, carrying lives, memories, and a century of softly moving dreams.

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Transcreation

Essential readings for today

Pablo Neruda
, ,
Pablo Neruda: Selected Poems

Silence gathers around us, and in that pause, Pablo Neruda lets the trembling world reveal its hidden wounds and brief hopes.

Transcreation
Against the Silence: Bengali Poems of Protest and Hope

This compilation presents four major twentieth-century Bengali poets, demonstrating poetry’s role in resisting, remembering, and renewing during socio-political upheaval.

Firefly
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Firefly or Minuku Hulu by ManjuNayak Challuru

I should collect all the chits from these people so I can calculate the amount of pain in the world.

John Taylor_Franca Mancinelli_Altar at the Sea_Updatede Cover
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At the Altar of the Sea

Franca Mancinelli’s poems, in John Taylor’s translation render the ordinary, the natural, many-hued and wondrous.

Ajir Kutty Bus Stop Poem Cover
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The Bus Stop at Kandanassery and Other Poems

The poignant poems of Rafeeq Ahmed, deftly translated, touch the veins of village life at Kerala, negotiating constantly between tradition and modernity.

Anuradha Dosad Creator of Fate 2 Cover
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Creator of Fate

In this second part, we glance at Deepti’s resilience in keeping her dreams alive in a hostile familial environment.

, ,

Pablo Neruda: Selected Poems

Silence gathers around us, and in that pause, Pablo Neruda lets the trembling world reveal its hidden wounds and brief hopes.

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Fiction and Poetry

Essential readings for today

Rabindranath Tagore
The last Flames: A Play

A play based on Rabindranath Tagore and BAsanta Koomar Roy, a US based journalist and author.

Our Old Selves

Short poem by Oishika Ray

Uncut Poetry : Calcutta – A Lover’s Epitaph

The city of Kolkata has seeped deep into Suni Bhandari making inroads into his soul. His poetry is a mere reflection of his relationship with

The Dowry (Tagore translated)

They demanded ten thousand rupees and a large number of gifts as a dowry.

Poems to Treasure

Vikram Seth became my path finder and made me the poet I am today.

The Catskill Mountains by Vir

Vir Sen paints the Catskill Mountains he visited during a recent vacation.

A storm at Sea
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I Will Cross the Sea of Desires

Translated by Hindol Bhattacharjee from the Bengali song by Tagore. The original song was composed at Santiniketan, in 1922. I will cross the sea of

Image courtesy he busy.org
Ilish Mach: From Bone To Hamstring…

Apparently we've all originated from a fish. But that as fate would have it, it was a fish that ruined my day.

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Fleeting Feelings

Waves blur into memories, dreams fracture and fade, and a fragile heart drifts between fire, rain, and forgotten promises.

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Cartoons

Space Cartoon

Hey diddle diddle, we have a problem.

Videos

Essential readings for today

Jane Austen
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Video: Jane Austen – Birthday Tribute

Her legacy is nothing short of monumental. Austen pioneered a new, realistic style of novel focused on ordinary people in everyday life.

Walt Disney
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Video: Walt Disney – The Man Behind the Mouse

Walt Disney left a legacy of imagination. He believed that “laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.”

Harivansh Rai Bachchan
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Video: Echoes of a Timeless Voice – Harivansh Rai Bachchan

He was born Harivansh Rai Srivastava. But he chose to write as Bachchan - a word that means “child.” It carried innocence, simplicity, and humility.

Arundhati Roy
,
Video: Arundhati Roy – The Voice That Refused to Fade

Her first novel changed everything. The God of Small Things, published in 1997, won the Booker Prize and catapulted her to international fame.

Film Festival
,
Video: 31st Kolkata International Film Festival

The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival is coming to a close. Here are some outstanding films to look out for at the fest and thereafter.

Sylvia Plath
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Video: Sylvia Plath — Birthday Tribute

Her literary legacy is immense. She became the first poet to win Pulitzer Prize posthumously. Today, she remains a towering and influential figure in literature.

,

Video: Jane Austen – Birthday Tribute

Her legacy is nothing short of monumental. Austen pioneered a new, realistic style of novel focused on ordinary people in everyday life.

Support thespace.ink magazine for literature and culture. Subscribe Now

Photostory

Essential readings for today

Terracotta
Terracotta Panels depicting events related to Hindu epic Mahabharata in West Bengal Temples

Across Bengal’s terracotta temples, Mahabharata scenes emerge sparingly, decoded through careful scholarship, memory, and the patience of stone and history.

Christmas Celebration
When Christmas Paints the Streets of Kolkata

Moments of warmth, resilience, and togetherness - that together form a larger narrative of the city celebrating Christmas in its own distinctive way.

Santa Claus
The City Prepares for Christmas

The city welcomes Christmas not as a marker of faith alone, but as a season of closeness that draws people from every religion and background

Taxi
The Iconic Yellow Taxi of Kolkata

Today the app-based cabs and newer vehicles have taken over the streets but the yellow taxi continues to hold emotional value.

Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain High…

The breathtaking beauty of Canadian Rockies captured by Arnab Chaudhuri.

Hornbill Festival
Photostory: Nagaland Hornbill Festival

Every December, all 17 tribes of Nagaland come together to showcase their unique rituals, dances, and festivals in one grand celebration.

Terracotta Panels depicting events related to Hindu epic Mahabharata in West Bengal Temples

Across Bengal’s terracotta temples, Mahabharata scenes emerge sparingly, decoded through careful scholarship, memory, and the patience of stone and history.

Support thespace.ink magazine for literature and culture. Subscribe Now

Games & Puzzles

Crossword 103
Crossword 102
Crossword 101

Voice & Views

Essential readings for today

Tom Stoppard
,
The Playwright as an Intellectual Jester

Saikat Majumdar reflects on Tom Stoppard, theatre, postmodernism, and the personal memories that shape writing and performance.

Anuparna Roy
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The Voice for the Unheard 

A conversation with Anuparna Roy by Surela Chakraborty, exploring her Orizzonti Best Director Award and the making of Songs of Forgotten Trees.

Frederick_Forsyth_scribles_mousumi_duttaray_10.6.2025_VB
Remembering Frederick Forsyth

I woke up to the news that Frederick Forsyth has passed away, and instantly,Life was all about sneaking thrills and chasing stories.

Arundhati_Gupta_Devicraft_Book_Review_30.5.2025VB
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Devicraft Each Stitch Tells Her Story…by a woman for the women!

It is an 18th century Pahari miniature where Lord Shiva is shown helping Parvati stitch a quilt.

Woman Artist_
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“A woman has to find her own path”

Artist Kiran Dixit, who exhibited in Kolkata recently, is the only female living disciple of Ramkinkar Baij

Shoma A. Chatterji
,
An Interview with Ramkamal Mukherjee on Films and Noti Binodini

Bengali films need new directors with new thought and new stories.

,

The Playwright as an Intellectual Jester

Saikat Majumdar reflects on Tom Stoppard, theatre, postmodernism, and the personal memories that shape writing and performance.

Support thespace.ink magazine for literature and culture. Subscribe Now

Travel

Essential readings for today

Hangseshwari Temple
Hangseshwari – where tantric philosophy merge with architectural brilliance!

Hanseshwari Temple rises in lotus-like spires, blending tantric symbolism, royal history, and unforgettable architectural wonder in quiet Bansberia.

Grand Teton
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin (Part: 3)

A journey through Yellowstone and Grand Teton—where nature’s grandeur humbles the soul, blending wild beauty, geology, and quiet spiritual reflection.

Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone (Part 2)

A vivid journey through Yellowstone’s grandeur, from its fiery geology to wild valleys and timeless history, where nature meets human wonder.

Yellowstone
A Journey Back to Self and Nature: Yellowstone and Grand Teton 

What do you say about a destination that has been praised innumerable times? How do you describe a marvel that has been photographed extensively?

MEGHALAYA_Travel_Aradhita_Banerjee_29.06.2025_VB
Reverie of a Pluviophile: Exploring Magical Meghalaya

The essence of Meghalaya is intermittent showers from enveloping clouds and waterfalls cascading down lush hills.

Norway2_Amlan_travel_26.05.2025_VB
Norway (Part – 2): Bergen: Norway’s Storybook City by the Fjords

The journey began in Skredderdalen, an uphill neighborhood, then led through dense forest trails—each step immersing me further into Bergen’s wilderness.

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