The test match at Kolkata ended half an hour ago. I have spent this timeresearching on Santa Claus (aka. Criscringle, Father Christmas, Father Frost,Joulupukki, Kris Kringle, Père Noël, Sabdiklos, Saint Nicolas, Sancte Claus,Sinter Klaas, Weinachtsmann etc). And the most amazing fact that I’ve managedto dig up is that Santa Claus is doubly fictitious! Though most of us would beknowing that the name ‘Santa Claus’ comes from ‘Saint Nicholas’, whatperhaps few would be aware of is that even Saint Nicholas never existed! Mostreligious historians today are of the opinion that St Nicholas, instead of beingthe children-friendly 4th century Asia Minor pastor he was supposed to be, wasactually a recycled Pagan god. Apparently, there is enough reason to believethat he was created out of legends attributed to Greek god Poseidon, Roman godNeptune and Teutonic god Hold Nickar (Nickar—Nicholas, get the connection?).