Tollygunge Club: Where Heritage Meets Creative Solace in Kolkata
For Sreenanda Shankar, the Tollygunge Club, affectionately known as Tolly, represents a sensory map of her childhood, where the universal magic of the Shankar legacy intertwined with the intimate rituals of family life. For acclaimed filmmaker Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, popularly called Tony, it stands as a sacred, ritualistic retreat—a place where the relentless noise of a high-pressure film career in Mumbai dissolves into the earthy mati of Kolkata. While Sreenanda embodies the second-generation legacy, viewing the club through the lens of inherited memory and familial togetherness, Tony exemplifies the modern creative member who has adopted this space as an indispensable partner in his artistic journey.
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury: The Sacred Silence of Creative Solitude
Once Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury became a member of Tolly, it transformed into his sacred sanctuary. "I live between Mumbai and Tolly," jokes the award-winning filmmaker, noting he is far more likely to be found doing absolutely nothing at the club's storied Gravel area than chasing Kolkata's usual social circuits. For him, the club is profoundly personal; it is where his daughter's wedding rituals were held, weaving his family's most precious milestones into the club's rich history.
This space also serves as a nurturing ground for his creativity. As a jungle enthusiast, Tolly offers the closest approximation to wilderness in the heart of the city. During his frequent walks, he encounters wild, raw moments—mating snakes, rare birds, and jackals. He vividly recalls instances of lightning crashing a whisper away, a stark reminder of nature's untamed power. "This place makes you calm, introspect. You sit, you think or you don't think. That nothingness is important in my life. Away from here, I am the man on Insta... here, nobody knows me," he reflects.
Surrounding him, the club hums with its many parallel worlds. "At every table you see different kinds of groups—somebody talking about films, somebody about business, somebody about sports. But I am not a club person. I come here for the stillness and nature. The world around Tolly has changed so much, so this has become even more special," Tony explains. In a space designed for socializing, he has carved out something far more private: "Every day, me and Bickram Ghosh, we sit there. Unspoken communication. I do my film workshops here with my actors. There is an undeniable energy here."
He emphasizes, "I want to be grounded, close to mati, gachh, akash. I need the blue sky, the floating clouds. I come here for my own anondo. This is my space."
Sreenanda Shankar: The Heritage of Home and Family Legacy
The Tollygunge Club has always felt like home to Sreenanda Shankar. She has been visiting since her earliest days, initially with her grandmother Amala Shankar for meals, and later with her father Ananda Shankar for swimming, tennis, and horse riding. Over time, it has become an inseparable part of her life. Sunday winter breakfasts were a cherished ritual; the crisp morning air and soft sun filtering through the trees made those moments feel exceptionally special. Those mornings were never just about the food, but about togetherness and memories that still resonate deeply.
Sreenanda notes that danseuse Tanusree Shankar, her mother, also carries a lifetime of memories here—of quiet evenings with Baba, when they would come for unhurried dinners or simply sit over tea. Today, as a member herself, Sreenanda finds a profound sense of comfort at the club. Whether spending time with friends or taking a quiet break, the club's lush greenery never fails to put her at ease. She and her mother share a small ritual; whenever they need a respite from the hustle, they head there for breakfast.
"There have been so many evenings when we simply sit at the South Verandah, sipping tea and gazing out at the endless stretch of lush green. It's a sight that soothes both the eyes and the soul," she shares. If asked what she likes most, Sreenanda would say it feels like stepping into a different world. Dating back to 1895, its history imbues every corner with a character that is hard to find elsewhere. Tolly is where she can slow down, reconnect, and feel completely at ease. It is, quite simply, an emotion.
She adds, "Ma often tells me how she and Baba used to conceptualise their dance projects in those quiet corners, over endless cups of tea."
Together, these perspectives highlight how the Tollygunge Club transcends its role as a mere social venue, evolving into a multifaceted sanctuary that honors heritage while fostering creative and personal renewal in the heart of Kolkata.
