• Culture & Travel

From Exquisite Tea To Handcrafted Textile And Plantation Furniture: Makaibari’s New Experiential Bungalow Is A Serene Retreat

Launched by Luxmi Estates at Taj Bengal, tea connoisseur can delight over the finest blends.
  • ByTeam The Word.

Luxury tea brand Makaibari has opened doors to an exclusive, experiential tea space in Taj Bengal, Kolkata.

The art of sipping tea is a culture in itself, and in the heart of Kolkata—in the Taj Bengal—luxury tea brand Makaibari by Luxmi Estates has opened doors to a delightful and exclusive experiential space. The new Makaibari Bungalow draws its name from the famed tea estate that was founded in 1852 in Darjeeling, and offers a selection of Makaibari’s finest teas along with a holistic lifestyle experience to those who appreciate slow, meaningful living.

At this cosy, green-hued space, connoisseurs are transported to the old-world charm of colonial bungalow life, where fines teas and blends are served against a backdrop of handcrafted silver tea sets, wooden plantation furniture, and home linen and carpets by the luxury carpet brand Obeetee. Renowned mixologist Yangdup Lama is at the helm of the flavours, having crafted delicious tea cocktails, and there are canapés from Taj Bengal to savour. Just a step outside is a scenic balcony, designed as a serene setting for communal tea-tasting sessions and separated by French doors…here, guests can indulge in the tea blends while overlooking the beauty of the Himalayan foothills.

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Colonial-style old-world charm envelops this charming tea boutique.
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Tea aficionados can savour Makaibari’s finest teas along with canapés from Taj Bengal.

“We wanted to create a space where people can experience the elegance and craftsmanship of both tea and home décor, and Kolkata, being a hub of creativity and culture, made perfect sense for this launch,” shares Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman of Obeetee and Managing Director of Luxmi Tea Group with The Word. Magazine in an exclusive conversation. The Makaibari tea estate, meanwhile, is steeped in rich history, with a legacy that spans over 160 years, making it one of the oldest tea estates in the world. “Located in Kurseong, West Bengal, it has always been a pioneer in organic and sustainable tea farming. Our estate has been passed down through generations, and over the years, it has become known not just for producing fine teas, but for embodying a philosophy of living harmoniously with nature,” Rudra adds.

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The Makaibari tea estate is located in Kurseong, West Bengal and spans a legacy of over 160 years.
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The decor of the Makaibari Bungalow is framed by carpets from Obetee,
wooden plantation furniture, and comfortable furniture.

And so, taking inspiration from its roots, the décor of the Makaibari Bungalow takes a note from colonial-era charm from the late 1800s and early 1900s. “Back then, Indian royalty began embracing British influences, and we wanted to reflect that cultural blend,” Rudra states. As you sip on your favourite blend, take in a moment to soak in the thoughtful details: the Sheffield silverware and the cane furniture that reflect both British sophistication and Indian heritage. There are also commissioned Kalighat paintings with its famous protagonists nestled in the tea estate, capturing the essence of Makaibari’s heritage and the artistic traditions of the region. “These were created by Anwar Chitrakar, a celebrated patua artist trained in the 19th-century Kalighat style by his father, Amar Chitrakar” Rudra explains.

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Renowned mixologist Yangdup Lama has crafted a delicious menu of tea cocktails.
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Luxury is at the heart of the experience, as seen in the Sheffield silverware.

The cosy ambience is heightened with the Obeetee carpets spread on the floor and even hung like artworks near the walls. Each of these carpets has been crafted by the artisans in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, using generations-old techniques, and we even spotted designer Ashdeen’s crane-motif carpets from a recent collaboration.

At the heart of the Makaibari Bungalow is the company’s centuries-old commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable craftsmanship. And this desire to create a positive impact on the environment and communities involved is evident in the details.

This bungalow is certainly a haven for those searching for a moment of calm and a moment of pause, as it marries flavours with history and craftsmanship. Life is, after all, about the finer tastes of life, and everyone needs a special spot for that.

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The Makaibari tea lounge is an ode to slow, meaningful living.

All images: Courtesy Makaibari