In pictures: A visual history of Trincas
Editor’s note: Trincas is a hallowed Calcutta institution—the stomping ground of lounge singers, Indian jazz legends, movie stars, drag queens—and even a Gandhi (Rajiv). Here is a visual history—that offers a priceless glimpse of an India gone by. The images have been shared by Trincas’ third-generation owner Anand Puri.
The lead image: is young Usha Uthup singing at Trincas.
Let’s start at the beginning…
The brand ‘Trinca’ alongside ‘Flurry’ was introduced in 1927 as a tea room and swiss confectionery on Park Street in British Calcutta. Quinto Cinzio Trinca moved from Switzerland to India, where he joined hands with Joseph Flury and his wife Freida for this venture.
In 1939, ‘Trinca’ moved across the street to its current location at 17 Park Street.
In 1959, Omi Puri, Swaran Puri and Ellis Joshua—you can see them below—bought the tearoom and bakery from Q Cinzio Trinca and converted it to a restaurant with live floor shows. They kept Trinca's name.
Modelled on European restaurants of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Trincas soon became known for its fabulous food and live entertainment. There were musicians, theatricians, comedians, and even magicians! Here’s a fascinating collage of newspaper clippings from the era.
In the summer of ‘69—Bombay’s hottest rock act The Savages graced the stage of Trincas as they went on an India tour. Drag artist ‘Holly White’ performed artfully choreographed burlesque numbers. White is actually a Mr Francis Fraser from Byculla, Bombay. Here is a pic of the band and Fraser / White backstage at Trincas.
The who’s who of Jazz artists
Crisp linen-clad tables and an ambience unlike any other made Trincas ‘the’ spot to visit in Calcutta. The who's-who of the 1960s and 70s graced the establishment including industrialists, movie stars, and politicians.
And why wouldn’t they want to be there. Fabulous crooners like Evelyn Fialo with Hollywood-looks lit up the Trincas stage, while musicians like Benny Rozario kept the soundtrack to the evenings tight. See the jazz singer who performed at the venue from 1964-1969—below.
Usha Iyer—now known as the illustrious singer Usha Uthup—arrived in 1969 and took the city by storm for being an outlier. Performing in a saree, her singing was deeper than the rest—and she blended languages and styles into a single performance. Her quick wit and ability to read a room catapulted her to the top of her game. Usha Uthup started her career singing jazz in Trincas. See a young Usha in our lead image.
It was not just established performers, kids got opportunities too. Here they are performing on the original Trincas stage circa 1960.
Here’s a very young Victor Banerjee with his band ‘The Diskords’:
What’s on the menu…
While the music and arts thrived in the space, the establishment was a tea room. And what is a tea room without the cakes on the menu! Below is a newspaper advertisement from around 1959/1960 during the holiday season for Trincas' baked goods and live music. It featured India’s leading dance ensemble of the time Chris Perry and Molly—with a live orchestra—who entertained patrons during morning coffee concerts, tea dances as well as during lunch and dinner.
And you can see what the rest of the enticing Christmas menu looked like— mouthwatering mince pies, dainty confectionary and imported liqueur chocolates:
