Mansi Tanna takes a peak into some of the elite social clubs of Kolkata.
Kolkata- the city of joy is really joyous when it comes to socializing; there are a number of high-end clubs in Kolkata. Membership to these prestigious clubs is highly coveted by the social elites of the city. Residents in Calcutta can join these clubs for entertainment and pleasure. There are sports clubs in Kolkata as well as clubs for recreation. Members of the clubs have to abide by certain norms and rules to continue membership with the clubs. These clubs highlights on the lavish lifestyle of the people who would love to spend their leisure time mingling with people and being a part of the activities.
Saturday Club
Saturday Club in Kolkata came into existence in the year 1875, and is one of the oldest & premier social clubs of the city, which makes one feel that they are under a common base of an ambiance of the old English Culture mixed with the Indian heritage. The club stands for more than a century now. Constant transition has taken place in maintaining the tradition & trend of the generation without diluting its original old charm.
The Club offers all the best of the facilities: from salons to cyber café, from gaming & leisure activities to health club, and of course, best of the food ranging from Indian, Continental, and Chinese cuisine. The boozers are kept in mind and so for them to select according to their mood there are a variety of options- The English Pub, the Open Air as well as Classy Bars – which makes it an ideal getaway for the members & their guests.
Club fest
Recently Saturday Club’s 35 Inter Club Sports Carnival took place in association with The Telegraph, which climbed its peak over the weekend. Starting on the April 30 2010, with the flag-hoisting and was observed that the club
was packed with members from 10 clubs participating in seven sporting disciplines. The grand opening took place on the May 1st with a flash of the cultural and western dance line-up. The crowd count went upto 2,500. The other participating clubs were RCGC, CC&FC, Tollygunge Club, Calcutta Club, Bengal Rowing Club, Calcutta Swimming Club, Dalhousie Institute, Ordnance Club, Calcutta Punjab Club and The Saturday Club. The sports played in this carnival were tennis, squash, swimming, badminton, snooker, table tennis and bridge.
The members from these clubs dropped by to cheer their club as the events rolled on. Utpal Singh Roy, the president of the Saturday club says that “We’re like one big family and the success of the carnival always depends on reaching out to all the members of the family in totality.” We have the captain of the table tennis team saying that “Every year it gets better. There’s better team spirit, more bonding and good vibes all around,” “Badminton is fast catching up. Our coaching camps at the club have 100 children aged between five and twelve,” reveals Bharat Jalan, the captain of the badminton team, whose son Ishan flew down from the US for the carnival!
Non- carnival events were like cherry on the cake. The rewas beer-drinking, basket ball, hoopla hoop, arm wrestling, tug of war and many more fun filled activities. The last day of the event was rocked by the Skinny Alley live with a sizzling fashion show. Everyone had a great time.
Calcutta Cricket & Football Club
Founded in 1792, is one of the oldest sports clubs in the world. It is in existence for over 210 years and has definitely grounded good roots, having served a good purpose not just for its members but also for the games they play and other activities they perform.
The club lays an elegant, modern pavilion, complete with spacious changing rooms and a stylish bar. It provides large grounds for sports like football, rugby and hockey, cricket and tennis. CC&FC is a Club of sportsmen & women and place for sports minded people which believes in offering its members recreation for all seasons and in retrospect, this feature paved the way towards its current success as a social club. There are other activities too, the Cycle Polo, a swank outdoor swimming pool and a gymnasium. Popular indoor sports such as Darts, table tennis and pool are played.
Club is highlighted by its magnificent first floor which is the Centenary Hall commemorating the centenary. This hall is the Club’s own air-conditioned ‘Long Room’ replete with a sporting library and a mini museum of Club memorabilia. Various cups and trophies are on display and a collage of old photographs, some quite rare, adorn the walls. The Centenary Hall is much in demand amongst members for parties and functions. The adjoining balcony provides a superb view of the playing ground.
Though flaunting a very busy sports calendar, the club does not fall behind in partying. CC&FC is probably the most happening place in Kolkata which offers its members a year round celebration of the convivial events, which caters to variety of interests of all age groups. The city’s social calendar waits for the Merchant’s Cup Nites and the New Year’s Eve dinner-dance. Fridays are gamed for long Bar Nites and other social functions on music, dance and theatre are also in the cue.
Time has moved and the club has come a long way. But over the years their values haven’t changed even a bit: its mission is to bring people together and play sports for the sheer fun of the game and no more.
Tollygunge Club
Founded in the year 1895, this club possesses a huge golf course, health club, horseback riding stable, sports complex etc, also provides shopping facilities to its members and gives them a lavish lifestyle. The club includes an 18-hole, 70 par 100 acre championship golf course designed by internationally reputed golf architects. The club caters to different skill levels and provides fresh insights with its rich natural appeal. It emphasizes on their hardworking dedicated staff who lends great helping hand in beautifying the place and to make this place look glorious forever. Throughout the year the underground irrigation system works, making the golf course an oasis of green nest situated in the heart of urban Kolkata. Sun sets will not be a matter of botherance for the players. They can go on and on, as the ground is dominated by the highly illuminating floodlights giving high boost to the player’s skills. It gives an opportunity to be trained by the best of the coaching faculty, which is one-of-a-kind golf experience.
It also shines with its other facilities that of tennis, squash, indoor and outdoor swimming, riding and amateur equestrian sports etc. The club provides special entry to the handicaps and they are trained for the sports and also allowed to participate in the championship competitions.
The club has a big showroom of Wills Lifestyle to keep the members at par with the upcoming fashion and making shopping an easily accessible with recreation.
The club ground also possesses a super mall- ‘Spencer’s’ making lives very easy for its members.
The Club organises best of the parties in the city with the best of the arrangements. The parties of Tolly club have taken a front seat and have become must-attend events for all members and guests.
Princeton Club
This is a new informal club which provides an ocean of lavishness to its members with amenities of international brand. A second home for its members, who aspires the best in life. It’s a place for those like minded people who love to socialize or simply be by themselves. The club is centrally airconditioned with an impeccable service and flaunting a five star ambiance. It provides superb facilities to the city people. At “Vitality”, the Health Club, one can maintain a superb body by being regular at the ‘body-workz’ the world class gymnasium. It is one of the well-equipped and updated addresses for fitness regimen. The refreshing swimming pool tempts you to just dive in with your little ones and watch them splash around and frolic in the cool blue waters of Blue Lagoon. It is one exercise that anyone would love to indulge in. It’s a place where elders behave like kids who refuse to leave the poolside. Apart from these there is a court for Squash, Dart, Billiards room or Cards lounge.
This club serves you with the most exotic culinary adventures at their multi-cuisine restaurants. It’s the only club offering such an international experience. Romance, talk shop or compare notes, theirs is no place like the Nocturnal’s bar for socialite evenings. It is the coolest place for a quiet evening or a rendezvous with friends over a Scotch on-the rocks or just a cool Martini.
Princeton proves to be a complete family club, by providing a crèche with special care program to pamper the kids. Princeton has become the most exciting hang-out of south Kolkata. The place is gamed for having a gala time with family and friends. The happening ‘Reverb’ lounge caters its guest with film shows, live matches and music videos. It makes your feet swing to the pulsating beats at the disc.
Gala Kolkatans
All we can say is that the Kolkatans are having a ball in these recreational hubs. And for them life without them is like living without no aim. Clubs have become an essential and a regular routine of their lives. So, Cheers to all the clubs and the Kolkatans, hip hip hooray!!!
