The Marwaris of Calcutta

Shantanu Dutta takes us through Kalikatha: via Bypass, a novel on the trials and tribulations of Marwari settlers in Calcutta.

Interestingly enough, the book does nothing to sanitize the somewhat unsavory reputation of the community as unscrupulous collaborators and exploiters with the pursuit of wealth being their over-arching goal in life. Even if they indulge in occasional charity there is an implicit quid pro quo that a little bit of charity will predispose the gods a little more favorably and so charity brings a good return on investment.