InDepth

Coming from Kolkata (India), which is also called the cultural capital of India, I have been to the Indian Coffee House many times. I still remember that first time. It was from the college, during those confused college days. A few of us – some well-directed, some misguided, some smart, some foolish, some ambitious, some aimless – took their brains to brainstorm inside one of the most cherished places in the heart of Kolkata. The experience was an outstanding one. From one end flew poems, someone caught and turned one of them into a film. One was shouting with a terribly choked voice, he was arguing with the others regarding who the best Indian cricketer is. A couple were just relaxing, probably they were meeting for the first time. The old lot were discussing politics. There was a round-table conference of teachers; one with a muffler, one without, one with a cigarette, one without. There was one with a side-bag, one without and then there was one with a sandal, one with a sh...