The story of Baghdadi Jews of Calcutta begins with a diary entry “Last night I arrived in Calcutta” made 220 years back by Shalome Ben Cohen. The community that Cohen established, prospered in the capital city of British India. They spoke in Arabic, prayed in Hebrew and led a kosher life.

Jewish population in Calcutta rose to 4000 in the 1940s as Calcutta gave shelter to Jews persecuted in Europe and Asia. But the community started dwindling after WWII and after Israel was formed. Today, as many of the founding fathers of the Jewish community rest eternally at the Narkeldanga Cemetry, their descendants have found new homes all over the globe. Dwelling in travelling is a defining identity of the Baghdadi Jews of Calcutta.

Dwelling in Travelling dwells on memories and nostalgia and celebrates the traditions that once held the community together.