Meet Mr. Shyamaprasad Dey a Cartoonist Who Runs a Quirky Coffee-shop in Kolkata!

Would you love to sip a creamy vanilla coffee while watching your cartoon come to life—right on your coffee cup? Tucked away just opposite Gate No. 1 of the Tollygunge Metro Station, Shyamaprasad Dey, better known as Dhopeshwar Maharaj, serves more than just caffeine. His coffee shop, Kolkata Coffee, offers an artistic escape from the everyday chaos, blending nostalgia, humour, and flavours that linger far beyond the last sip. But what makes this small, vibrant stall a true cultural gem? We found out during a visit that turned into a heartwarming, laughter-filled conversation over a cup of vanilla coffee and painted memories.

Cartoonist to Coffeeshop

Our first glimpse of Shyamaprasad Dey’s coffee stall already felt like flipping through the pages of an old, hand-drawn comic book. The tiny kiosk, barely a few feet wide, was drenched in bold sketches, clever slogans like “Chatal chere beriye asun” and “Jor kore cha paben na”, and a steady scent of coffee in the air. But as we sat down on one of the low plastic stools and sipped on vanilla coffee, we realised this was more than a cafe—it was an open diary of a man who refused to let life silence his art.

Shyamaprasad began his journey in the 90s, right at the same spot where his coffee stall stands today. “I used to run a small magazine shop here,” he told us. “Not many customers, so I started drawing to pass the time. I’d pin my cartoons outside the shop, signed as ‘Dhopeshwar Maharaj’. No one knew it was me.” The streets became his studio. Inspired by the hustle around him, he picked up local humour, twisted it into rhymes and doodles, and created visual punchlines that made passersby chuckle. “Some would stop and stare, others would take photos,” he recalls. “But I was just doing what I loved.”

Recognition came slowly, first from locals, then through book fairs like Hastashilpa Mela and Boi Mela. “It was my uncle Monoj and my friend Krishna who encouraged me to set up stalls at fairs,” he shared. “That’s when people started noticing me as an artist, not just a seller.” But like many, Shyamaprasad’s world turned upside down during the pandemic. With the print business crashing, he found himself at a crossroads. “My wife suggested a tea shop, but the area already had too many,” he said. “So, I chose coffee. Something different. And I wanted to keep my art alive through it.”

Thus, Kolkata Coffee was born—not just to serve hot beverages but to preserve the city's culture, spirit, and satire. And thanks to his daughter’s clever idea, every cup became a canvas. “She said, ‘Papa, why not paint the cups?’” he smiled. “Now, each cup has artwork, our shop name, and our number at the bottom. People take them home as souvenirs.”

In fact, if you ask politely, he’ll sketch your cartoon in real-time, just Rs. 50 for a keepsake with your coffee. His self-taught artistry, refined over decades without any formal training, beams through every caricature. “People have forgotten how to laugh,” he tells us, “My cartoons are my way to remind them.” His walls are filled with black-and-white illustrations, quirky quotes, and satirical lines in Bengali fonts that reflect Kolkata’s old soul. Locals call it more than a coffee shop—they call it a manch, a little stage of a culture where conversations brew as strong as the matcha.

Even the national media couldn’t ignore this slice of joy. “Social media gave me this life,” he admitted, “I got a call from Dadagiri. Standing beside Sourav Ganguly was surreal.” He laughs shyly while recalling how Dada appreciated his name Dhopeshwar Maharaj and accepted a one-of-a-kind comic book made just for him.

A Final Sip of Art

Today, Shyamaprasad Dey’s name echoes not just in Tollygunge but has become a must-visit place in Kolkata for every coffee-lover. His journey from a silent cartoonist on the sidewalk to standing beside Sourav Ganguly on national television is not just inspiring—it’s a living sketch of resilience.

When asked what he’d say to young artists battling societal pressure and self-doubt, his words struck a chord: “Sriti silpir ulashe mon hase tai pran hase…(if you keep creating something, it will make your life much more positive and fulfilling). Rather than sit idle, do something. Suppose you can't be inspired in this digital era with so many resources, back then whenn't have them, no one else could help you. You have to fuel your dreams on your own willpower. Start anywhere. Pick a paper and pencil art will find you.”

Where: Tollygunge Metro Station Gate No 1

When: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.