‘Home and roots are synonymous with comfort and identity’

Originally, I am not from Kolkata. I came from the suburbs, and ended up forming a strong relationship with the city.

I am 39 now; I came to Kolkata at 16. I have lived in one city for over 23 years of my life. Give or take all of Kolkata’s problems, whether infrastructural or social, I would not trade the city for any other—because it is home. A lot of who I am, and my career, has been shaped by it.

I see home and roots as being synonymous with comfort and identity. These are important ideological notions, essential for the sustainability of any clothing brand. They are also interlinked—identity comes from comfort and comfort comes from identity. Without this, a brand is in no man’s land.

I am a true Calcuttan. I lead a laidback life. I am easily content with the small things in life. Professionally, Kolkata has helped balance my ambitions; it keeps me culturally inclined and slows me down so I do not burn out. Kolkata is a slow-paced city which means people are ambitious but not malicious.

What makes me belong to Kolkata, apart from things like art and architecture, is the energy of the people. Nobody is out there to backstab the other. Everybody finds their own little niches and spaces. If you lose your way in the city and ask somebody for directions, he or she will drop you all the way to your place. In return, the person will make sure you don’t leave his or her home without a cup of tea. That’s how warm people in Kolkata are.

— As told to Shaikh Ayaz

KolkatarootsSabyasachi Mukherjee