Zee JLF | Rosogolla Wars and Bengali identity

One of the most entertaining sessions at Zee JLF was, undoubtedly, The Rosogolla Wars in which six Bengalis set out to dissect the Bengali identity and what constitutes Bengaliness. It began with the panellists digging into the sweet. At the end of the session, what emerged was both a hilarious take and scathing indictment of Bengalis' supposed cultural superiority.

Sudeep Chakravarti, the author of The Bengalis: A Portrait of a Community, spoke about the contradictions and delusions that make a Bengali. The very term "Aw Bangali" that Bengalis use to refer to non-Bengalis, reveal the former's hypocrisy and chauvinism, he said. Journalist and author Ajoy Bose highlighted how divided Bengalis are, starting with the Bhadrolok (the genteel) and the Chhotolok (coarse) concept. The cuisine that Bengalis take pride in is basically about the palate of the Bhadrolok, he said.

Translator Arunav Sinha entertained the audience with the many uses of the word rosogollah, such as 'when someone fails miserably in exams, or when a Bengali has to indulge in bodyshaming.