Kolkata, September 12, 2026: The romance, flavours and cultural spirit of the monsoon came alive in Kolkata as Primarc Podium, in association with Kolkata Baarish Season 3, brought together food, conversation and humour at a specially curated monsoon lunch at Nishtara – The Luxury Banquet.
The afternoon celebrated the distinctive flavours of the monsoon and the culinary traditions associated with the rains. The experience was part of the third edition of Kolkata Baarish, a celebration that brings together literature, food, comedy, cinema and music under one umbrella.
The event featured a special edition of Primarc Podium, the thought leadership platform, with a conversation titled ‘Do the Rains Have a Taste?’ The discussion explored the relationship between the monsoon, food, ingredients, taste, and memory while examining how the changing season influences culinary traditions and the Bengali palate.
The conversation brought together Shaun Kenworthy, a Ua K-born and Kolkata-based chef, restaurant consultant, and storyteller with over two decades of experience shaping restaurants across India, and Sujoy Chatterjee, co-founder of Amar Khamar, who works in sustainable farming and heritage sourcing of rare and indigenous rice, lentils, ghee, and honey.
Moderated by Malavika Banerjee, Director of the Kolkata Literary Meet and Gameplan, the conversation explored the connection between food, seasonality, indigenous ingredients and the cultural memories associated with the monsoon. The diverse perspectives made the discussion an engaging exploration of how food can reflect place, heritage, and community.
Adding a generous serving of humour to the afternoon was popular content creator Subham Chaudhuri, better known as Bong Short. Through his characteristic observations, he reflected on Bengal’s enduring love affair with food and the many emotions, rituals and conversations surrounding the Bengali dining table.
The conversation was followed by a specially curated monsoon lunch by 6 Ballygunge Place, allowing guests to experience the flavours of the season in an intimate and engaging setting. The combination of conversation, cuisine and humour created an afternoon that brought together different facets of Kolkata’s cultural personality.
The Primarc Podium
At the heart of the Primarc Podium is the belief that progress begins with people coming together – sharing ideas, challenging perspectives, and inspiring meaningful action.
The Primarc Podium is a thought leadership platform created to bring together leaders, authors, policymakers, industry experts and changemakers for conversations that shape the future. It reflects the belief that creating exceptional spaces can go hand in hand with fostering dialogue that enriches communities and contributes to society.
The inaugural edition of Primarc Podium, titled ‘Lessons in Leadership, Resilience & Nation Building’, centred around Naxal Terror Vanquished and explored the leadership, resilience and collective resolve that have shaped India’s journey against left-wing extremism.
The Kolkata Baarish edition represented another expression of the Primarc Podium philosophy, bringing diverse voices together around food, culture, sustainability and the distinctive character of the monsoon in Kolkata.
Food, culture, literature, humour and music are not merely forms of entertainment; they are also powerful ways through which communities connect, memories are created, and conversations begin. The collaboration between Primarc Podium and Kolkata Baarish celebrated precisely that spirit – the ability of shared experiences to bring people closer while creating a platform for meaningful conversations.
About Kolkata Baarish & Gameplan
Kolkata Baarish, now in its third edition, is a cultural celebration that brings together literature, food, comedy, cinema and music to celebrate the romance and redolence of the monsoon season in Kolkata. The festival is presented and curated by Gameplan, led by Malavika Banerjee, which creates and curates cultural experiences and platforms that bring together diverse voices, artists, creators, and audiences. Through Kolkata Baarish, Gameplan celebrates the city’s distinctive cultural character and its enduring relationship with the monsoon.
