Chatu Babu Latu Babu Rajbari

  • The architecture of Chatu Babu Latu Babu Rajbari bears a sense of magnanimity, sophistication, grandeur yet minimalism.  
  • This 250 year old heritage property called Ramdulal nibash is located at the junction of Beadon Street and Hari Ghosh street opposite to the Chatu Babu Latu Babu bazaar. 
  • The opulence of bonedi bari Durga pujo is witnessed by inhabitants and tourists of Kolkata. The puja traces its roots to more than 2 centuries back and was started by Ramdulal Dey (Sarkar) though the exact date is unknown. Later his sons Chhatu Babu and Latu Babu continued the legacy. 
  • The Deity of 2022
    Durga dalan
    Architectural wonder 
    Picture
    Picture being restored

  • Ramdulal Dey (Sarkar) was born to a poor daily wage earner and was orphaned at a young age. Madan Mohan Dutta a wealthy Bengali merchant of Hatkhola area took his responsibility as he was the grandson of their domestic help. By sheer will power Ramdulal gained education by overhearing the tutors of his master’s sons. Pleased by his determination his master gave him the responsibility of accounting for ship cargo loading. His efficiency at estimating the bidding price of shipwreck prompted Madan Mohan Dutta to grant him an amount of one lakh rupees which Ramdulal used to start his own business. He rose to become one of the millionaire merchants of the 17th century and entered into Indo-American maritime trade. 
  • The flourishing trade relations of newly independent USA with Ramdulal and Kolkata prompted George Washington to open the Consulate of USA (oldest in India) in Kolkata on 19th November 1792. 
  • Ramdulal contributed for charity and social causes including the construction of Hindu College. 
  • The Ramdulal Sarkar Lane adjacent to Bethune College is named after him. The Latu Babu Lane is close to Ramdulal Nibas and Chhatu Babu Lane is close to Maulali in Central Kolkata. 
  • There are controversial records regarding his surname as Dey or Sarkar, however his descendants used the title Deb. 
  • His two sons, Asutosh Deb (Chhatu Babu) and Pramathanath Deb (Latu Babu), were famously known for their luxurious lifestyle although they lacked the business aptitude. A popular anecdote goes that they used to light cigars by burning 100 rupee notes. 
  • Chhatu Babu was one of the leading music patrons to stalwarts like Gauhar Jaan and Pandit Ravi Shankar. 
  • Anath Nath Deb (grandson of Rabdulal) and his five sons formed a trust to carry on the Durga Puja. A market named after him stands opposite the present day mansion. The post office adjacent to the market is believed to have been a theatre, which was demolished.
  • The Ramdulal Nibas Thakurbari is a beautiful Victorian architecture is of brick red colour, a huge naat mandir and huge columns. The Durga puja is currently held in the huge covered thakurdalan in the courtyard of Ramdulal Nibas at 67E Beadon Street (now Abhedananda Rd). The Kari Barga architecture, verandah running along the side of the courtyard, the life-size portraits of Ramdulal, Chhatu Babu, and Latu Babu and the displayed history of the bonedi durga puja and Ramdulal’s trade prowess holds one in awe. 
  • The interesting traditional practices include ekchala protima, worship of Goddess Lakshni and Saraswati as Jaya and Bijaya. A pair of Neelkantho birds (Indian Roller bird were flown on Bijaya Dashami to send Lord Shiva the message of his wife’s (Durga) return to her husband’s abode. Recently however clay substitures are being used. 
 
  • The house is also rented out for destination and theme weddings.

Anath Deb bazaar



The House
Pictures from the internet

Portraits of Chatu Babu and Latu Babu

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