Coming to Kolkata felt like coming home: Andrew Fleming

Few diplomats have fallen in love with Kolkata the way Dr Andrew Fleming has. As the British Deputy High Commissioner for East and North-East India, he has embraced Kolkata with a warmth and curiosity that make him an honourary local.

So to mark Calcutta Times turning 25, it felt only right to celebrate with someone who truly gets the vibe of the city and enjoys its rhythm, quirks, and soul for what it is. We took him to College Street – that timeless stretch where books, conversations, and coffee collide – for a chat that was as easy as an afternoon adda. What followed was a lively exchange about food, football, architecture, and the melodies that have found their way back into his life, afitting tribute to a city that never stops inspiring, or singing, its own tune.

I’m delighted I visited College Street with CT. This is a city of readers, with not only a proud history but also a very bright future. Kolkata has a wonderful culture & heritage, and remarkable people

Dr Andrew Fleming flips through Tagore’s Gitanjali at College Street‘Visiting Kumartuli with CT in 2024 was unforgettable’A city that mirrors the world, yet feels like home“Kolkata is truly a city like no other,” says Andrew. “Every guest I’ve hosted here says the same.

Its diversity and distinct neighbourhoods are fascinating.” What began as curiosity evolved into a creative pursuit: through #CornersOfCalcutta, he documents the city’s hidden edges on film. “The architecture surprised me – colonial grandeur, art deco elegance and everyday vibrancy co-exist seamlessly,” he notes.

“And the people are just as remarkable: Bengalis, Marwaris, communities from the hills. It’s among Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, much like my own, London.”

Food sealed the deal. “You’ll find outstanding meals anywhere – from Chef Shaun Kenworthy’s British-Bengali fusion to Bawali’s vegetarian delicacies. I’ve tasted flavours I never imagined.” A lifelong sports enthusiast, Fleming is equally struck by the city’s fervour for play. “There isn’t a more sport-obsessed city in Asia. Football, cricket, hockey – you even find wrestling at the Flower Market at 5:30 am. It’s incredible.”Andrew Fleming on Kolkata’s living architecture“Kolkata is one of those rare cities where architecture tells stories,” says Andrew. “Every corner reveals a chapter – from North Kolkata’s stately colonial facades to the art deco homes of the South. Ballygunge, Southern Avenue and Hindustan Park captivate me: curved balconies, sunburst grills, pastel hues and bold lines reflecting modernity shaped by Bengali sensibility.”A city that brought the music back into his lifeMusic, it seems, has found its way back into Andrew’s life — thanks to Kolkata. “I always loved singing, but I’m mostly a bathroom singer,” he laughs. “I was a part of a choir when I was 10, but the choirmaster asked me to leave, and that crushed my confidence for a while.” It took the city’s infectious love for melody to reignite that spark: “This is a city where people truly love music. Nowadays, if someone asks me to sing — I actually enjoy it.

” ‘Calcutta Times creates opportunities to engage with culture in an authentic way. I loved my visit to Kumartuli with them. It was a vivid glimpse into the city’s artistic spirit,’ says Andrew enjoying Paramount’s Daab-er sherbet