Kolkata Embraces Romance with Red Hues and Heartfelt Celebrations
From cozy coffee corners to candlelit dinner dates, Kolkata is overflowing with romance and vibrant red hues this Valentine's Day. Cafes and restaurants across the city are adorned with hearts and pink decorations, while florists work tirelessly to assemble beautiful bouquets. Gift shops are experiencing a rush for teddy bears and sentimental keepsakes, as residents prepare to celebrate love in all its forms.
Intimate Celebrations: Couples Share Their Love Stories
For many long-term couples, Valentine's Day has evolved from grand gestures to meaningful, intimate moments. Models Ankita Singh and Shadman Khan, together for over a decade, emphasize substance over spectacle. "Celebrating Valentine's Day with just the two of us truly matters," Shadman explained, highlighting the importance of appreciating a partner who has stood by through everything. Ankita added with a smile, "For us, Valentine's Day is about being together. Our sofa is our favourite date spot."
Despite chaotic shoot schedules, the couple finds solace at home, making coffee for each other and enjoying long drives. "Love now means comfort, respect, and showing up even on ordinary days," Ankita shared. Shadman described their bond as "knowing someone understands your silence," rooted in commitment and trust.
Actress Rupanjana Mitra and actor-director Ratool Mukherjee, also together for more than ten years, have redefined romance into something steadier and less performative. "At this age, V-Day holds a very different meaning for me," Rupanjana said, noting it's about "genuinely showering love, respect, and presence." Ratool agreed, stating, "Love is not about the day you boast about it, it's about the days you quietly protect it."
Their celebrations focus on small joys like coffee, conversations, and time with family. "Love grows deeper as it brings loved ones closer," Rupanjana reflected, while Ratool emphasized, "It's about choosing each other every day."
Floral Frenzy and Gift Trends
Crochet flowers, vibrant bouquets, and cuddly toys are dominating gift charts this year. Puja Singhania, proprietor of Ferns N Petals, reported a significant increase in demand. "Demand for flowers is increasing compared to the last few years, and overall sales have risen by nearly 23% over the last five years," she said. The trend has shifted from traditional red roses to baby pink carnations and gerberas, with mixed arrangements of daisies, roses, and gypsophila also popular.
Akash, a flower seller from South Kolkata, confirmed, "Roses still rule, but other colourful blooms are also seeing good demand."
Sweet Indulgences and Themed Delights
Bakers in Kolkata are crafting nostalgic, indulgent, and affordable treats to mark the occasion. Satyendra Mishra of Cakes noted, "We pour our heart into every cake we make," with red velvet cakes and love-message cupcakes particularly popular among college students. Home baker Upasana Biswas from Mimi's Bakery highlighted demand for heart-shaped cookies, strawberry cakes, and secret message bento cakes.
Pallavi Rai from Pallavi Bakes shared, "Each creation is finished with a sprinkle of hearts, as every dessert deserves a little extra love." Lovey Kapur of Kookie Jar added, "V-Day is about celebrating love in all its forms. After 40 years in Kolkata, we've seen our cakes become part of countless memories."
Cafes and Restaurants Create Romantic Escapes
City cafes and restaurants have pulled out all the stops with themed decor and special menus. Radhika Jalan of La Macario Café curated "a special valentine's menu designed for sharing," featuring sushi boards, Italian platters, and heart-shaped desserts, complemented by live music. Aditya Agarwal of Cove transformed the restaurant into a "romantic, candlelit retreat" with a gourmet spread.
Md Khaleequzzaman of Mirabelle described an "immersive romantic escape" with a four-course Italian-inspired menu, while Sudarshana Dutt of Cafe Courtyard focused on "sharing with love" through combo platters and themed mocktails. Amit Sharma of Kaldi Bean emphasized couple combos and heart-shaped desserts in red and pink hues.
Abhishek Dutt of Soul Atrium noted, "Valentine décor is all about red and pink. It makes our space more Insta-worthy too." The city's malls have also decked up with teddy bears and heart decorations to enhance the romantic ambience for visiting couples.
