Former auto driver, this man now plays music on Kolkata streets to earn money for stray dogs. He's 73

The video prompted a large number of responses, many praising the man’s perseverance and commitment.

An Indian woman’s account of an elderly street musician’s long-standing efforts to care for stray dogs drew significant attention online this week. In a video posted on Instagram, Aradhana Chatterjee documented a man performing with a keyboard and a mouth organ on a busy Kolkata pavement and explained why she felt compelled to share his circumstances.

In her voice-over, she stated that she had first approached him out of curiosity. “I noticed this man on the street and I was curious about what kind of help he was asking for,” she said. She went on to explain that he performed outdoors each day not for personal gain but to raise money for animals living on the streets. “He plays a keyboard and a mouth organ on the streets every day to earn money, but not for himself. He raises money to feed stray dogs. He has been feeding and taking care of them since the last thirty five years.”

Chatterjee said the man spent close to five hundred rupees daily on food for the animals. She added further details about his background: “His name is Subrata Das and he is seventy three years old. For the last thirty six years, he drove an auto to make a living, but his age does not permit that anymore. So, now he has started playing music on the streets, raising whatever little he can.” She also said he had no support from his family. “Subrata Da has even been abandoned by his own family. He learnt to play music as a child and today those skills are helping him,” she remarked.

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A post shared by Aradhana Chatterjee (@storiesbyaradhana)

Reflecting on her interaction with him, Chatterjee said the encounter reaffirmed her faith in individual kindness. “He reminded me how powerful kindness can be. I helped him in a small way, but I believe that social media is a magical place and together we can help him in a much bigger way. Next time you see someone like Subrata Da, remember even a small contribution can help them continue their mission.”

In the caption accompanying her post, she added information about his routine, writing: “Maybe nothing is impossible when you really want to do it. Subrata Das proves it! He plays everyday in front of Lake Mall, Lake Market, Rashbehari, Kolkata, from 8 pm to 10:30 pm.”

The video prompted a large number of responses, many praising the man’s perseverance and commitment. One user wrote, "What an angel!"

"It really doesn’t take much to be kind, after all," another user commented. A third user remarked, "Literally. I'm crying."

Meanwhile, a large section of users asked Chatterjee about his details and how they could help him in any way possible.