Cartoonist Shyamaprasad De has been expressing his artistic talent through cartoons at his own coffee shop in Kolkata for the past 30 years. In a unique venture, De draws various cartoon characters and portraits of people on white coffee cups, captivating customers’ attention.
Located outside Gate No. 1 of Uttam Kumar Metro Station, De’s small coffee shop has been a hub for both news and book sales before transitioning into a coffee vendor in 2021. Despite facing various challenges, De has never forgotten his passion for cartooning. In an interview, he shared that for the past 30 years, he has been creating cartoons in a distinctive style.
De starts his creative process at his cozy coffee shop with a simple blue and black pen, drawing various characters and portraits on white coffee cups. His artwork has become a local attraction, drawing people to witness the artist at work. Customers not only enjoy their coffee but also get a unique opportunity to have their portraits drawn by Shyamaprasad De himself.
De transitioned from being a book vendor to a coffee seller, and his daughter has played a significant role in this change. According to De, after the pandemic, he shifted from selling books to selling coffee. Despite not gaining recognition as a professional cartoonist, his artistic endeavor has earned him a special place in the hearts of the city’s residents. Every customer at the coffee shop becomes part of this creative journey, as De draws their portraits on the spot for a modest exchange of 10-20 rupees.
Shyamaprasad De mentioned that his daughter has been instrumental in the success of this venture. During idle hours at the shop, he continues to draw cartoons, making his coffee shop a unique and artistic space in the city. Although not recognized as a professional cartoonist, Shyamaprasad De has slowly but steadily carved a niche for himself in the community through his innovative work.”