Archive · 13 Jun 2025
Kolkata's 'Coffeeman' Combines Art, Empathy Over Coffee
Imagine a person who makes art with coffee while listening to people's stories.
That's Partha Mukherjee, also known as the 'Coffeeman.'
He started by accidentally discovering coffee painting.
During the lockdown, friends sought his art and also conversation.
He then realized he could help people by listening to them without judgment and painting their feelings.
He's trained in mindful listening and offers this to strangers.
People share their stories, and he paints what he hears.
His art helps people understand their emotions, and he hopes to teach kids to express themselves, too.
Partha Mukherjee, known as Kolkata's 'Coffeeman,' uses coffee art to listen and offer emotional support.
Mukherjee began coffee painting accidentally and later incorporated it into his practice of mindful listening.
He started offering live coffee art sessions after realizing the emotional impact his art had on friends during the lockdown.
Mukherjee provides a space for people to share their stories without judgment, painting their emotions on paper.
He dreams of expanding his practice through storytelling workshops for children, focusing on expression and soul.
- Who
- Partha Mukherjee, known as the 'Coffeeman,' is an artist and a listener who offers emotional support through coffee art.
- What
- Partha Mukherjee, the 'Coffeeman,' blends art and empathy by listening to people's stories and painting their emotions using coffee.
- When
- Mukherjee's practice began with an accident while painting and developed into mindful listening sessions during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Where
- He conducts his listening and painting sessions in cafes like Tribe, Karma Kettle, and 8th Day Café in Kolkata.
- Why
- Mukherjee provides a space for people to be heard and to understand their inner world through art, offering a form of emotional support.
Focus on Art as Therapy
Artistic Expression
Therapeutic nature of sessions
Focus on Art as Therapy
Some may view Mukherjee's art as a form of therapy, offering emotional support.
Artistic Expression
Mukherjee clarifies that his art sessions are not therapy in a clinical sense.
- Profession
- Artist, Listener
- Known As
- Kolkata's 'Coffeeman'
- Primary Medium
- Coffee
- Notable For
- Live coffee art sessions and mindful listening
- Helped with Cyclone Amphan
- Raised Rs 1.5 lakh for bookbinders and small traders
- Training
- Certification courses from Johns Hopkins and the University of Toronto.
- Dream
- Storytelling workshops for children