Kolkata Derby

In the world of Indian sports, football holds a special place in heart of sports lovers. Anyone in Kolkata on the day of a Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal match, on the other hand, would disagree. The tussle between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan dubbed the Kolkata Derby, is Asia's longest footballing rivalry, with a rich 100-year history. Looking back, these are some of the reasons why the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal rivalry is considered one of the most ferocious in the world.

Bengalis are Indians from the eastern region of the country who speak Bengali. Those from the erstwhile undivided Bengal (now West Bengal) during the British Raj are known as 'Ghotis,' whereas those from the eastern portion (now Bangladesh) are known as 'Bangals.' Mohun Bagan, one of Asia's oldest clubs, was founded in 1889. After defeating East Yorkshire Regiment in the 1911 IFA Shield final, the Mariners became famous. In India's pre-independence era, they were the first all-Indian club to defeat a British team for a major prize. Suresh Chandra Chaudhuri, an industrialist and vice-president of Jorabagan, and Manmatha Nath Chaudhuri(Raja of Santosh after whom the Santosh Trophy was named) founded East Bengal on August 1,1920.

The club's name alludes to the fact that it was formed to represent the East Bengali immigrant population in Kolkata (across the River Padma, now in Bangladesh) Mohun Bagan represented the established bastion of the Ghotis, both on and off the football pitch, in East Bengal, which became home to millions of immigrants who were often considered as outsiders in Kolkata at the time. Although India has the footballing pedigree of many of the other famous rivals, in terms of raw emotion and passion, the Kolkata Derby can equal any of them blow for blow, fan for fan, and chant for chant.

The Ilish (Hilsa) vs Chingri (Prawns) fish conflicts that follow the Kolkata Derby are maybe one of the most interesting examples of it since they set it apart from any other sporting rivalry in the world. Bengalis' love for football is only surpassed by their desire to eat fish. The preferences, on the other hand, vary by area. Bangals, or supporters of East Bengal, have a unique fondness for hilsa, whilst Ghotis, or supporters of Mohun Bagan, prefer prawns. Due to the increased demand for both species on Kolkata Derby days, prices of both fishes are known to skyrocket throughout Bengal.

The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goes beyond sport. Rather, it's a metaphorical battle between two very similar but diametrically opposed ways of existence.It wasn't uncommon for entire neighbourhoods in Kolkata and Bengal to be painted in team colours, such as red and gold for East Bengal and green and maroon for Mohun Bagan, until the 1990s. The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal has grown to be pan-Indian, if not worldwide, over the years. With their arrival into the ISL, the trend is only expected to continue. But the true significance of the historic Kolkata Derby still lies in the local intricacies. It’s personal. 

What to Wear to a Football Game: How to Look Elegant While You Cheer (or Pretend You're Watching)

Football season is here, and going to a game, whether live or on TV, is one of those occasions when you could find yourself wondering, "What in the world should I wear?!?" Warmth, comfort, and a dash of personality are all important. It's not a bad idea to give your game day attire some thought. You want to put on something that is both useful and fashionable.

GAMEDAY OUTFIT IDEAS FOR THE LADIES

Let’s start with the ladies. For the big game, you need an outfit that’s easy to move in (too-tight dresses are a no-go), classy and bursting with school spirit. Before we dive into it, let’s go over a few major don’ts of the game day fashion

• Leave pricey jewellery at home

• Wear comfortable shoes-

• Choose your handbag wisely

With that out of the way, here are a few ideas to give you some game day fashion inspo:

• PREPPY CHIC - You really can’t go wrong with prep-inspired clothing at a football game. For a preppy-chic look, consider wearing a striped t-shirt dress in your school’s colours. Pair it with classic sneakers for a cute look that is perfect for playing tailgate games or cheering from the stands. 

• CASUAL LOOK - Prefer a casual outfit that doesn’t go overboard with game-day spirit? Wear an off-the-shoulder top in your team’s colours with a cute pair of women's khaki shorts and sandals. On top of being super versatile, this look is guaranteed to beat the brutal heat of those first few games of the season. 

• WHAM, GLAM, THANK YOU, MA’AM - Want to look glamorous for the big game? Consider wearing a game day dress in your home team’s colours for a stylish yet spirited look. Opt for a classy pair of heels and be sure to keep a more practical pair of shoes in your purse

• KEEP IT CUTE - Sometimes, all a girl really wants in a game day outfit is something cute and classic. We’re talking about the classic game day outfit: A collegiate t-shirt, a cute pair of denim shorts and some fashionable sneakers. Throw on a baseball cap, some football eye black stickers and maybe some glitter, and there you have it—a no-fuss outfit that you can play up in a million different ways.

• JERSEY GIRL - The first way to wear a football jersey is to treat it like a dress (just make sure that it’s long enough for this) and pair it with a cute pair of white Vans (cowgirl boots work well, too). Wear some spandex shorts underneath so you can run around, play tailgate games, do a keg stand—you know, the usual tailgate activities.

GAMEDAY OUTFIT IDEAS FOR THE GUYS

Now, it’s time for the guys. You would think that guys would have an easier time dressing for a football game. Just wear your best collegiate tailgate apparel and call it good, right? 

Well, it’s not quite that simple. In fact, there are a few quick rules we need to go over:

• Skip the body paint

• Read the Room

• Say no to beer hats

• Don’t wear shirts that show sweat stains. Pit stains just aren’t a good look on anyone.

• Check the forecast before you leave for the stadium

 Okay, let’s move on to some game day outfits for men

• BEAT THE HEAT IN CLASSIC STYLE - a lot of guys just want to look good for the big game without sacrificing their comfort or style. If this sounds like you, keep it simple yet classic by wearing blue jeans and a performance polo shirt in your team colours. Complete the look with a fresh pair of kicks and make sure to wear moisture-wicking socks.

• MATURE WITH A SIDE OF TEAM SPIRIT- For the guy who wants to look mature and professional without appearing too stuffy, this one’s for you: Wear a nice pair of trim-fit chinos with a classic Oxford shirt in your team colours. Finish the look with comfortable, white sneakers.

• PREP-INSPIRED FOR FALL - As we mentioned earlier, preppy clothing fits right in at any sporting event. Why not ramp up the prep-inspired look with a button-down shirt underneath a collegiate quarter-zip pullover and chino pants? This preppy men’s outfit is perfect for chilly days in the fall and is a classic look you can wear anywhere.

• COMFORTABLE, BUT YOU STILL WANT TO LOOK GOOD - For a comfortable yet pulled together game day look, opt for a pair of dark brown chinos (for additional style points, cuff ’em like they do here) and a plaid shirt in your team’s colours. Wear a sweater vest over it and a beanie emblazoned with your team’s logo

Now, go forth and rock your fall Saturdays in true football style. See you in the stands and watch parties!

A tale of a city obsessed by football

Calcutta (yeah, I realise it's now Kolkata, but Calcutta will always be Calcutta to me) has always been the home of the odd and unusual. It is claimed that the stomach is the gateway to a Bengali's heart. When it comes to Bengali cuisine, though, the city of pleasure has a football connection. Prawns or lobster are the sea food of choice for a die-hard Mohun Bagan supporter.However, it is heresy if an East Bengal fan is seen eating lobsters on a day when his team wins, because the delicacy to be savoured by an East Bengal fan is Hilsa.Bengal’s obsession with football is well-known. Those who have never met a Bengali football fan have certainly missed out on the fervour with which he or she expresses their love for Mohun Bagan or East Bengal, depending on which side of the modern-day Bengal border they came from. So, what accounts for Bengal's unusual fondness for a sport in which India has yet to compete at the highest level? Football, like cricket, badminton, lawn tennis, and table tennis, is a sport that former colonial rulers passed down to Indians.The British began playing football in India in the late 1800s, and they frequently utilised the field to demonstrate their supremacy over the "natives," notably Bengalis, whom they portrayed as effeminate and lacking in ideal physical traits. By the turn of the century, however, this same sport became a means through which the Bengalis expressed their nationalistic fervour.Many British thought it was their imperial responsibility to ‘improve' Bengali physiques and encourage people to participate in sports for their own enjoyment. Football teams began to form at prestigious colleges such as Presidency College, Shibpur Engineering College, St. Xavier's College, and La Martiniere College. Alumni from these universities went on to form some of Bengal's most well-known football clubs.The most famous of these was Bhupendra Nath Bose's Mohun Bagan, which he founded in 1889. Mohun Bagan would go on to define Bengali pride in football, with triumphs over European teams symbolising the colonizer's determination to overthrow the colonisers.Mohun Bagan would go on to define Bengali pride in football, with triumphs over European teams symbolising the colonizer's determination to overthrow the colonisers. Football was no longer only a way of copying the British to gain respect in the early 1900s. It was also the best location for fighting the British.The football stadium became a popular hangout for Bengalis who were hesitant to participate in the independence war. They came to view football as a potent nationalist gesture and defeating the British was considered necessary for their emotional satisfaction.

The nationalist fervour attached to football found its strongest outburst when in 1911 Mohun Bagan defeated the East Yorks team 2-1 in the historic final of July 29, 1911. Mohun Bagan’s victory was decisive in elevating football to a whole other level of nationalist pride.They began to see football as a powerful nationalist gesture, and defeating the British was seen as crucial for emotional fulfilment. When Mohun Bagan defeated The East York team 2-1 in the historic final on July 29, 1911, the nationalist enthusiasm associated with football reached its pinnacle. The win of Mohun Bagan was significant in bringing football to a new level of national pride.In the same year, 1911, the British relocated the raj's capital from Calcutta to Delhi.Recent commemoration of Mohun Bagan's victory, for example, have overlooked the coincidence. If it is a coincidence, it is exceedingly unlikely that one caused the other, and the British adroitly and deliberately moved the seat of power from Bengal, away from its skilled footballers and bomb-wielding patriots, to avoid additional humiliation.The win of Mohun Bagan was significant in lifting football to a new level of nationalist pride.Football has continued to determine Bengali pride and the ability to advance beyond intellectual topics over time, despite the fact that the British left India over 70 years ago. It played a crucial role in debunking the widely known reputation of Bengalis as "lazy."