What makes Calcutta timeless?

In this episode of Make Calcutta Relevant Again, Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti talks about Sukumar Roy as a meta-modernist, how Satyajit Ray shaped our childhoods, and why humility is India’s most overlooked cultural strength. We also explore how Kolkata remains a global city, the beating heart of cosmopolitanism, and a hub for science and culture today.
A conversation about Calcutta’s past, present, and why it still matters.

Before he ever picked up a camera, he was learning the rhythm of the city through classical music.
Trained by the maestro Tanmoy Bose, Pubarun Basu brings a rhythmic, human-centric approach to his photography. In this sit-down, he reveals how his father’s advice to "connect before you click" shaped his career.
We explore a range of "Calcutta realities" from why the riverfront is the ultimate sanctuary for lovers and friends, to the uncomfortable truth about our air pollution being ignored in favor of more 'marketable' environmental causes. This is a conversation about seeing the city for what it truly is, beyond the filters.

What does it really take to change a city?
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Make Kolkata Relevant Again, we sit down for the second time with Mudhar Patherya — widely known as Kolkata’s Lover-in-Chief — the man behind the citizen-led illumination of over 145 heritage buildings across the city.
This is not a story about awards, applause, or grandstanding.
It’s about accountability, collaboration, and getting your hands dirty.
From lighting up Raj Bhavan, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Victoria Memorial’s Angel of Victory, and the GPO, to dancing on the streets to celebrate employment for persons with disabilities — this episode captures how real civic change actually happens.

In this episode of Make Calcutta Relevant Again, features Monica Lui, a successful Chinese restaurant owner who started her journey in the 90s and today runs eight outlets across Kolkata. From her childhood and family roots to building a trusted name in the food industry, Monica shares her inspiring journey, challenges, and lessons from decades of entrepreneurship.

Tangra was once known for violence, neglect, and lost futures.
Today, it tells a different story — because of music.
In this powerful conversation, we meet Sanjay Mondal, a cultural activist and musician who has spent over 15 years transforming the lives of children from one of Kolkata’s most stigmatized neighborhoods. Using discarded materials to create musical instruments, Sanjay built a movement that gave Tangra’s youth purpose, pride, and a voice.
From performing on India’s Got Talent to reviving Bengali folk music, kirtan, and theatre, this is a story about resilience, culture, and how real change begins at the grassroots.
This episode dives deep into:
The harsh realities of growing up in Tangra
How music became an escape from crime and despair
The failures of systems — and the power of community
Why culture is essential for social reform
How Tangra is slowly reclaiming its identity
Change doesn’t come from outside. It starts within.

In this powerful episode of Make Calcutta Relevant Again, we sit down with Rahul Roy—global entrepreneur, process innovation pioneer, and mentor to multiple billion-dollar businesses. From arriving in the US with no money to building breakthrough solutions across technology, semiconductor safety, printing, networking, and data systems, Rahul shares how problem-solving, mindset, and process innovation shaped his journey. This conversation goes beyond business.

It explores: Immigrant struggles and early failures in America Building confidence through skill, discipline, and mindset How process innovation creates massive value across industries Why Bengalis must reclaim entrepreneurship and leadership Mentorship, philanthropy, and building communities that grow together A must-watch for founders, students, professionals, and anyone who believes Bengal can lead again.

Join Meghdut for a delightful and heartwarming conversation with Anindya Chatterjee, the celebrated lyricist and singer of the iconic Chandrabindu band, as they wander through the sweet streets of Kolkata, savoring the city’s most beloved mishti. Over the aroma and taste of these sweets, Anindya shares personal anecdotes from his childhood and formative years, revealing how these flavors are deeply intertwined with the memories, emotions, and culture of Kolkata.

He reflects on the stories behind each sweet shop, the friendships and moments that shaped him, and how even in a bustling city, small joys like sweets carry the soul of a place. Through laughter, nostalgia, and candid storytelling, Anindya explores the unique connection between Kolkata, its sweets, and the essence of growing up amidst its flavors, showing how music, memory, and taste can converge to tell the story of a city and the life it nurtures.

Join Meghdut for a candid fireside chat with Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, the visionary figure who transitioned from leading IIT Bombay as its Director to chairing the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), sharing the remarkable story of his journey from a small Bengali-medium school to the highest echelons of Indian academia and finance, and dissecting the fundamental connection between his two roles: technology, revealing that the BSE is essentially a high-tech company focused on its matching engine and cybersecurity; he advises students against the temptation of instant gratification (the "local minima") by stressing the importance of aiming for the "bigger hill" (the Global Maxima) in life, issues a stern warning against letting AI replace your thinking, arguing that a student's prime responsibility is to build character, learning capability, and a skill set to avoid becoming "obsolete," and confesses his biggest academic regret was not studying mathematics more deeply, asserting that it is the indispensable "mother of all science.