coffee house

a_nomad

hey, has no one ever been to the indian coffee house at college street............???

it's one of those places in kolkata where u get to see kokatians or rather bengalis along with their spirits...

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somnath

Hi,
Yes, it is a well-known place in Kolkata. Indian Coffee House, College Strt. is the birthplace of so many revolutionary ideas. It was (may be ‘is’) a hub for the top intellectuals / students and of course, common people.
If you are in Kolkata, please visit this link and let us know….. http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=20393

- Somnath

ddutta

At the crossing of Bankim Chatterjee Street and Boitokhana Road lies this cozy coffee joint of Calcutta. A coffee house 250 years old which excels in its simplicity. A cultural landmark of Calcutta. A great place to taste some great coffee, enjoy a cheery conversation with your best buddies or sit quietly and ponder on the universe. Admission is free and open to all, its a huge house with a spacious hall and a unique terrace, there are plenty of tables and chairs.
Coffee house is known through out the town as the very best youth hang out. Situated at the college street para (locality), students prefer to meet at the coffee house instead of hurriedly grabbing a measly bite at the college canteens. Famous for its distinctive flavours of coffee made with fresh ingredients - be prepared for the very best. All sorts of coffee are served - mellow, carmelly, chocolaty, fruity, sweet, mild, spicy and wild. You may have your coffee hot or cold, with or without milk, with or without cream - Coffee House will make you any coffee drink of your choice. You may see a person enjoying a delicious cup of coffee alone, or best friends sharing from the same cup. Coffee with a bold, rich aroma which will delight your palette, tantalize your taste buds and will ensure a smooth finish. The menu also covers a variety of meat and fish preparations, snacks, sandwiches, chop cutlet, rolls, salad and chutney. The price range is from Rs3 to Rs18. Can have lunch or supper, or breakfast and tiffin - at very affordable prices.
Open through out the year from 9am to 9pm - students, professors, business men, the employed and the unemployed, friends, families, lovers, ministers, dignitaries, foreign tourists and celebrities drop in at the Coffee House whenever they have the time. Discussions range from campus tete-a-tete, study plans, politics, business, sports, films, music.......to future plans and dreams...... well....almost anythingunder the sun. Coffee House means adda, adda and even more adda....withoccasional jhagras(quarrels). Raj Saha of Umesh Chandra College says, “Even if we quarrel, we keep a low profile, take care not to disturb others and make up very fast.” After exam results are declared successful candidates throng the Coffee House to eat, drink and be merry. Families come over to celebrate birthday parties and anniversaries. Lively groups may be spotted playing word games, solving puzzles or humming a merry tune. Menu cards being circulated, long orders being placed, the coffee in the stove is always brewing and being served on time, plates and platters are soon empty........new crowds coming in......it’s always busy, busy, busy.....lively...and peaceful as well. It’s the favourite haunt of so many Calcutta celebrities - Aparna Sen, Manna Dey, Amarta Sen, Mrinal Sen, Goutam Ghosh and the late Satyajit Ray.Coffee House celebrates Netaji Shubash Chandra’s birthday, Rabindra Jayanti, Independence Day and Republic Day. “Indian Coffee Workers’ Cooperative Society” organizes magic shows, football matches, blood donation camps and eye testing camps. Steps are taken to ensure discipline in the Coffee House - it is an alcohol free venue and gambling is strictly prohibited.The youth would like Coffee House to be jazzed up, a fresh coat of paint, brighter lighting, sofas. The older generation loves the old aura of the place,” I love the unchanging nature of Coffee House. It got to maintain its tradition.”Coffee House was the residence of Keshab Chandra Sen almost three hundred years ago. Later it was dedicated to Lord Albert of England. During the pre-independence period swadeshi meetings were held there - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore loved the Coffee House. 1947 - the Central Government gave it the legal sanction and official name “Coffee House”. September 1958 - Coffee House had to close down because it was facing heavy losses. The retrenched workers, poets, writers lit a candle and drank coffee to mark its closing down. A month later - Coffee House re-opened again - and everything was ascheerful as usual. 1994 - The Supreme Court of India recognized Coffee House as a cultural center of India. Calcutta’s ex-chief minister Bidhan Chandra Ray and present chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya have been very supportive to the expansion of the Coffee House. Coffee House entrepreneurs would like to open more branches through out the city.
Drop in at Coffee House once...you’ll soon discover how addictive it is...
From
http://www.zatang.com/locals/cityk/khot6.htm

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tintin8801

a few years back i was a regular visitor of coffee house.............

coffee house er sei adda ta aj ar nei...........aj ar nei.......!!

sadhuji

manna dey zindabad -

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jyotirmoy

Thanks ddutta for the history of this historical place. We used to have serious withdrawl symptoms if we stayed away for a couple of days!