He had forgotten the possibility of so many human beings in one space. The concentrated stench of so much life. He welcomed the sun on his skin, the absence of bitter cold. But it was winter in Calcutta. The people filling the platform, passengers and coolies, and vagrants for whom the station was merely a shelter, were bundled in woolen caps and shawls.
In Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Lowland," the protagonist reflects on the overwhelming presence of humanity in Calcutta, where the station serves as a gathering place for diverse individuals. The sheer number of people evokes a distinctive odor, a reminder of their collective existence. The character finds comfort in the warmth of the sun, contrasting with the winter chill that affects those around him.
Despite the cold, the platform is alive with activity, filled with passengers, porters, and homeless individuals who seek refuge there. This scene captures the vibrancy of life in the city, emphasizing both the struggles and the resilience of its inhabitants, intertwined within the fabric of the urban landscape.
