North Kolkata, where adda is the oxygen and the glue, Uttorer Adda — an association of cha (tea) and adda lovers — is fighting the onslaught of mobiles, electrical gadgets and gizmos.
“We are on the verge of forgetting books, thanks to our addiction to mobiles. But no matter how ‘smart’ we become, books will remain an eternal source of knowledge. Our free street library is an effort to reach that message to people,” said Sambhu Saha, the co-founder and secretary of Uttorer Adda.
People of all ages read books at the street library
While the association doesn’t have a formal meeting place yet, its physical presence is marked by a large hoarding above a tea stall opposite Deshbandhu Park. It is now a ‘cultural landmark’ on Google Maps and a name sign acknowledges its presence on Raja Dinendra Street.
Saha had a quintessential north Kolkata upbringing in the lanes of Shyambazar. He studied at Park Institution and played in Deshbandhu Park. Often, he could be found sipping a cup of cha at Ratan-er dokan or Subir-er dokan, opposite the park with his friends. Adda was the choice of condiment that flavoured his cha and much of his formative years. As a child, he also developed a passion for art. But society didn’t regard either art or adda as pragmatic pursuits. He became an electrician and endured brickbats from parents and elders for his enduring love for adda. Thus, to elevate the status of adda in the eyes of the society, he along with several of his friends and fellow adda lovers founded Uttorer Adda in 2016. The logo for the association, two cups or bhnars of tea, symbolises friendship. The name, Saha emphasised, was his contribution.
‘Ratan-er dokan’ provides the perfect spot for catching up with colleagues and friends and (inset) Sambhu Saha
The two tea stalls, Ratan-er dokan and Subir-er dokan are the pulse of Uttorer Adda and have been there for over five decades. Though not associated with Uttorer Adda, they are essential for its existence. The adda grew over piping hot tea from the two stalls. Now, because of Uttorer Adda’s presence, the stalls have a lot more people coming in. Not just Shyambazar, people from different areas of north Kolkata like Sovabazar and Maniktala also find their way to the stalls.
“As an association, one of our first programmes was ‘Fanush (sky lantern) Utshob’, where we flew 2,000 sky lanterns from Deshbandhu Park. In 2017, during Saraswati Puja, we painted 10,000sqft. of street alpona. For the past six years, on the day before Saraswati Puja, we also have been organising a workshop-cum-drawing competition for children. Professors of art colleges and other professionals conduct these workshops,” explained Saha.
The graffiti is drawn each year on Saraswati Puja by Saha and a few other members of Uttorer Adda
In 2022, they decided to start a street library, which was inaugurated on Teacher’s Day. Popular Bengali titles, including several issues of Anandamela, are a part of the bookshelf that make up the free and open library. It also features a wall magazine showcasing artworks and writings of the children who live nearby.
“While we haven’t been able to influence people to read as such, our efforts have been praised by the older generation and educators,” beamed Saha.
Uttorer Adda has also been organising the Street Extravaganza Shyambazar which starts the day before Saraswati Puja and ends the day after. Apart from conducting the puja, a canvas art competition for adults and cultural programmes forms a part of the extravaganza. Each year during the puja celebration, Saha and a few other members paint colourful graffiti on the walls of the surrounding houses with the permission of the residents. These walls have become popular with influencers and are often used as backdrops for wedding photography.
The colourful graffiti on the walls of the surrounding houses is eye-catching
“We have been visiting the tea stalls since our childhood. The graffiti adds to the atmosphere of the place. As a citizen of Kolkata, I appreciate how these places are being created for us to unwind and relax,” said Debashish Karmakar, a resident of Sovabazar, who also comes here regularly to meet friends. Every morning, he comes to Deshbandhu Park for his walk.
His daughter, Anandini Karmakar, a Class VII student of Salt Lake School, comes here often with Debashish. “I think the fact that we can sit here reading books for as long as we want is unique,” she said.
“I feel like we are losing the simplicity of our childhood. I miss it and so do our friends who founded the association. We want to preserve it and that is why we have Uttorer Adda,” signed off Saha.
