Beyond Monuments: Kolkata's Unsung Guardians Preserve Fragile Heritage Through Objects
As World Heritage Day draws global attention to monumental structures and curated legacies, a quieter, more intimate form of preservation thrives in the heart of Kolkata. Here, heritage exists not in grand edifices but in fragile, handheld objects—vintage toys, restored radios, and ornate supari cutters—that pass through generations, kept alive by collectors who refuse to let memory fade. Across the city, these unsung guardians retrieve history from scrap, inheritance, and chance, building continuity where the past is repaired, revived, and cherished.
Manju Chatterjee: Inheriting a Legacy of Toy Collecting
For Manju Chatterjee, collecting is not merely a hobby; it is an inheritance deeply rooted in family history. Her legacy traces back to KB Nan & Co, one of Kolkata's earliest toy businesses, which operated from 1862 to 1953 and served as a landmark for Englishmen and zamindars seeking souvenirs during the British Raj. The shop was later carried forward by Arun Kumar De, affectionately known as the city's "toy boy," whose reputation endured long after the store closed, even earning him an invitation to the 1977 World of Toys exhibition.
"After my father's death, I started collecting more," Manju reveals. "If I find any old toy, I bring it back." Her shelves are adorned with key-wound mechanical toys, many predating 1947, which require winding to function. "Without the key, they don't work," she notes, emphasizing the tactile connection to history. These objects, though they may lack labels, are her prized possessions, carrying stories that extend beyond display into storage, memory, and familial bonds. "These may look ordinary, but they carry stories, kept, cared for, and carried forward," she adds, highlighting the emotional weight of her collection.
Goutam Chatterjee: Rebuilding History Through Restoration
Goutam Chatterjee takes preservation a step further by not just collecting history but actively rebuilding it. "If you saw their earlier condition, you wouldn't believe these are the same objects," he says, describing his meticulous restoration process. Nothing comes to him intact; each piece—from radios and gramophones to typewriters and wartime instruments dating from the late 1800s to mid-1900s—is sourced from scrap or word-of-mouth and reworked to give it new life.
His passion ignited early, with a grade-seven project creating a salt power headphone radio that became the talk of the town. Now at 68, he continues to restore dozens of items, driven by an innate fascination. "This passion has always been innate in me," he asserts. Continuing a legacy started by his father, Nakubabu, Goutam has transformed three rooms into a functioning archive of time, filled with pieces from the World Wars and Indian independence. "Almost everything I own is over a century old," he shares, underscoring the depth of his collection.
Jyoti Iyer: Emotional Attachments to Craftsmanship
Jyoti Iyer's journey into collecting began not with intent but with emotion, spanning over 25 years. Initially, she sought to preserve memory by inheriting antiques from her grandparents, fearing the loss of that connection. Over time, this evolved into a conscious pursuit, shaped particularly by her fascination with supari cutters. "From brass to ornamental pieces, it was the craftsmanship that drew me to it," she explains, describing pieces adorned with dragon faces, Yakshi figures, warriors, and leopards, each with its own distinct personality.
Deeply attached to her collection, Jyoti admits, "I'm proud, but also possessive. These aren't objects—they're pieces of time I've chosen to hold on to." Sourcing from exclusive groups, she preserves each item with pride, viewing her collection as a deeply personal testament to nostalgia and family inheritance. "My passion for collecting is 25 years strong, driven by nostalgia and family inheritance," she reflects, emphasizing the emotional resonance of her curated treasures.
Conclusion: Preserving Heritage in the Everyday
In Kolkata, heritage preservation transcends monuments, finding expression in the dedicated efforts of collectors like Manju, Goutam, and Jyoti. Through vintage toys, restored artifacts, and supari cutters, they safeguard fragile legacies, ensuring that history remains alive in everyday objects. Their work highlights a broader truth: heritage is not just about grand structures but also about the personal stories and craftsmanship embedded in the items we cherish. On World Heritage Day, their contributions remind us that preserving the past often begins with the smallest, most intimate acts of care and continuity.
