"The horse symbolizes speed and energy. It keeps us away from laziness and incompetence," said Paul Chung, president of the Indian Chinese Association. "It signifies a good year, motivates us to be hard-working. The harder you work the more prosperous you become. You earn your prosperity. It also gives the message of humility," added Chen Khoi Kui, the South Tangra Chinese Youth Club secretary.
Eighteen-year-old Kevin Li, a student of Grace Ling Liang School at Topsia, was riding into the Pei May Chinese High School, the venue of the carnival, on Friday afternoon. "Sunday onwards, there will be a food court, game stalls and more at the two-day carnival. As for my plans for the New Year, our celebrations started on Thursday night. I am part of a lion dance group. There are several programmes lined up. In fact, on Saturday morning, lion dancers from Territi Bazar will be here. This dance symbolizes the bringing of god to us. Mainly the gods of sky and wealth. Every lion dancer visits the homes of Chinese families. The homes have tables with offerings like incense sticks, and the lion dancers bow to the table. Many restaurants follow this tradition," he said. Kim Ling, a popular restaurant near the venue, had such offerings on a table close to the entrance.
"It's also a tradition to go to Buddhist temples in the New Year season. My cousin, who has come from Chennai, has gone to one with her mother. She told me that even the airlines she had taken announced that: 'If you have time, please visit Chinatown, they're celebrating.' I was stunned," Li added.
But it is all as different as it can get from Park Street on December 31. China Pearl proprietor David Liu narrated: "It's a time for family gatherings. Nothing is commercialized. All the programmes are at the main market area. You'll notice many restaurants are closed. We don't put much decoration at the restaurant either, we have decked up our home instead for the festive season."
Even if some restaurants remain closed at Chinatown, specialty restaurants like Mainland China are celebrating the Year of the Horse with food festivals. "During this period, everything shuts down in China. And the Chinese travel from all over the world to meet up for the reunion dinner where they serve traditional Chinese fare. It is believed this brings the families good fortune, health and prosperity," said chef Rajesh Dubey, director food production, Specialty Restaurants. There's also an ongoing Schezwan food fest at Square 405, Mani Square Mall.
Back at Chinatown, groups of Chinese tourists formed a big part of customers. At Big Boss, three big tables were occupied by a group of 24. Through their translator-tour guide, they expressed their joy of being able to celebrate the occasion the traditional way. "We are very happy, it's a great feeling," Huang Jinshan, one of the tourists conveyed. "We didn't expect this at all, right here in Kolkata," added Su Sijun.
Source: Top Stories - Google News - http://ift.tt/1aNvxOr
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