A Literary Soirée: Makaibari & KCC Present an Evening with Dr. Madhurima Vidyarthi’s Job Charnock and the Potter’s Boy

Makaibari and Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) jointly hosted a literary evening at the Makaibari Bungalow, Taj Bengal, featuring Dr. Madhurima Vidyarthi’s acclaimed work Job Charnock and the Potter’s Boy. The collaborative soirée brought together literature, heritage, and creative dialogue in an atmosphere of elegance and reflection.

Ms. Priyadarshinee Guha, Associate Vice-President of KCC said of the event, “Kolkata teaches a particular patience for history, the kind that asks us to listen before we speak. KCC partnering with Makaibari to dwell in a book’s textures felt true to that spirit: a shared conversation where literature, memory, and the city could meet on equal terms.”

The evening opened with a tasting of Makaibari’s signature teas, offering guests a sensory introduction to the estate’s heritage. This was followed by a reading from the book and an engaging conversation between Dr. Vidyarthi and Ms. Guha. Together, they explored the intersections of memory and imagination in storytelling, and how fiction reinterprets history by giving voice to lives often overlooked.

Speaking about the experience, Dr. Vidyarthi said:
“Job Charnock and The Potter's Boy is a historical novel which looks at the 'others' in history. Not the great and good, not the movers and shakers but the nameless faceless masses who make up the rich tapestry against which events play out. Most importantly it is about the human cost of the decisions taken by the privileged few who choose to shape history according to their whim.”

Mr. Rudra Chatterjee, Managing Director of Makaibari Tea, reflected:
“At Makaibari, we have always believed that tea and stories share the same spirit — both ask for patience, both reveal their essence slowly, and both have the power to bring people together. This evening was a testament to that belief, showing us how a thoughtful conversation, much like a fine brew, can leave an impression that lasts well beyond the moment.”

Concluding with a book signing, the event offered participants the opportunity to engage in conversation with the author, take home signed copies, and carry with them the deeper impression of an evening defined by community, dialogue, and cultural reflection
By bringing together the heritage of Makaibari and the creative vision of KCC, the evening emerged as a testament to the power of collaboration where literature and dialogue come together to speak of the untold histories and unheard voices that continue to shape Kolkata.