G D Thyagaraj - Cows resting

Another G D Thyagaraj water colour showing a group of cows resting at the edge of a market scene.

Nearby are some carts and women carrying baskets.  The frame of the painting is very similar to some I own myself.

Tree House in Calcutta

As a surprise one year when I went to visit my father during the holidays in Calcutta when I arrived I could see a huge tree house he had arranged to be built by the company carpenter.  It was on the first large branch of a big mango tree with a tall stepladder for access.

It was probably built around 1966 and in the foreground you can see one of the company cars which was an Ambassador car which were built in Calcutta.  I read an article on The BBC website during July which said after falling sales the factory has now closed.

Tollygunge Golf Club

My sister and I used to play golf at Tollygunge Golf Club in Calcutta in the early 1970s, while looking through an old box of photos I came across this photo I took while playing gold there.  Unfortunately I am not in the photo but my caddy is standing on probably the 18th tee with the club house in the back ground I think this was taken in 1973.

You can see my club and ball on the tee waiting for me to take my shot.

G D Paulraj - Cows resting in the shade

Painting by G D Paulraj of a few cows resting at the side of a street in the shade of a building and some trees.  It reminds me of a another painting called 'Madali Street' but taken from a slightly different angle.

I am discussing with my sister on a visit to southern India later this year, I checked some old passports and I reckon the last time I was in India might have been January 1974 so just over 40 years ago, wow what a long time!

Panoramic view of Calcutta from the 1960s - B.O.A.C. VC10 advertising photo

My wife found this rolled up panoramic photograph in the original cardboard tube addressed to my father in Calcutta.  It is from the local B.O.A.C. office on on the back are details of the regular flights of what was a new aircraft the VC10.  Fortunately with the iPhone you have the facility to take panoramic photos otherwise this would have been difficult to capture.

In the centre of the photo is the Victoria Memorial and behind that is the Race Course, you can also see the Planetarium and I think it is St Paul's Cathedral it brings back a lot of memories.

Hooghly Ink Co Ltd- letter heading

Below is a copy of the letter heading used by the Hooghly Ink Co Ltd in India in 1976.  It shows the address of their offices in India and the main office in Calcutta.

Previously the address had been 67A, Ballygunge Circular Road but it was renamed at some point in the 1970s but the office was still located in the small building.  At the same time there was a trend to rename lots of streets in Calcutta.

Hooghly Ink Co Ltd - Leaving Photo 1950

I attach below a photo of the staff of the Hooghly Ink Co Ltd in Madras on the occasion of the retirement of Lt Col R O Taylor.  My father also appears on the photo, it was taken on 20 February 1950.

I also attach a close up of the front row.