The Scent of Pujo
Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye- Dorothy Parker
Hi, everybody. I am back as promised with a better frequency. Thank you Suhasini and Tinni for your thoughtful comments on my earlier post urging all to be green-conscious. Hope, more would join the chorus.
Now that Durga Puja is just over, I step back into my mindspace of mirth that rolls down to few decades which still fills up my present with nostalgic overtures.
Being a Bengali, Durga Pujo is intrinsic to my system since my pinafore days. Faith and devotion were unpretentious amidst variety of free lunch for three consecutive days for people living in and around a particular pujo pandal (pavilion) in Kolkata ( then Calcutta). Heaps of delicious khichuri ( rice and lentil spread with big chunks of potatoes), labra (a mix of vegetables), luchi (deep-fried flatbread), chholar dal (split bengal gram pulses), beguni ( crispy eggplant fritters, sprinkled with rock salt), paneer curry, fish curry ( Rohu/Hilsa), tomato and dates sweet chutney, mishti doi (sweet yoghurt), chaler payesh (rice pudding), roshogolla, fresh from the bubbling cauldron of syrup... Gluttons and gourmands became allies as they rushed to claim their seats. The menu was never repeated on those three days ( 7th, 8th and 9th days of Navratri).
We were immersed in the ambience flavoured with the fragrance of flowers, fruits, sweets, incense sticks and burners, spiced up with the alluring aroma of street foods and pulsating with the foot-tapping sounds of dhak ( large drum played with two thin sticks), dhol (double- sided barrel drum) and kasor ghanta (a percussion instrument consisting of a brass plate and a drum stick). Those three days, amidst food, fashion and ethnic events, we were hardly at home and our parents would not browbeat on that. We would hop pavilions (mind-blowing artwork and innovative lightings), savour different foods and attend cultural soirees. And of course, there would be digressive conversation with puns intended which got a native moniker called 'adda' over cups of piping hot tea with veg/ non- veg platters. Celebrated singers then and even now release their much-awaited albums/singles in Bengali during this time. Add to it, the much-anticipated movie releases in Bengali and most importantly special editions of different Bengali magazines are grabbed by people across the strata.
I feel happy that 'Durga puja in Kolkata' now gets an intangible cultural heritage of humanity tag by UNESCO.
One look at Maa Durga, Her beautiful and powerful eyes (Trinayani) and the hand-crafted sholar topor (headgear) always mesmerises me. For several years now, residing in a different city, that connection is still vibrant. For three days, our community kitchen welcomes everyone. This is what, I feel, makes the Durga Pujo, so distinct, in serving free and fresh vegetarian lunch, complete with dessert to anyone for three consecutive days. Of course, the exemplary, mostly hand-crafted artwork seen in several pandals is the other hallmark of this festival. The white saree with broad red border, red bindi, sindoor displayed prominently on the forehead, white and red bangles (shakha-pola) is the signature attire of a Bengali married woman mostly seen on the tenth day as part of the 'sindoor khela' is another colourful tradition that is still respected.
Everytime, I look at Maa Durga, I am at peace and full of hope, happiness and mirth. Is this called faith, I don't know. But, I do look forward to Her arrival and listen to Mahalaya programmes (organised one day before Navratri consisting of hymns in Sanskrit and a genre of Bengali songs called Agomoni songs celebrating the arrival of the Goddess as daughter of the household). It is spellbinding when you listen to the hymns and songs at the call of dawn. For decades, we were glued to our little Murphy radio. These days, smartphones serve the purpose. Thankfully, now even AIR (All India Radio) is so clear on my smartphone!! Some of the prominent television channels also feature programmes in Bengali to celebrate the occasion.
Our pujo starts from Shasthi, i.e., the 6th day of Navratri. We never fail to visit the pandal and offer obeisance to Maa in new clothes.
Shubho Sharodiya🙏❤️🙏
#Maa Durga# Navratri #UNESCODurgapujaheritage #khichuri#Kolkata #roshogolla
Durga Puja, the homecoming of Maa Durga is an emotion, an integral part of Bengalis. But at the same time it's a festival enjoyed by all communities and religion. People enthusiastically participate in the Pushpanjali a revel in the colourful Sindoor Khela . Its more of a celebration than a religious festival. People rejoice the arrival of a daughter to her maiden home by offering her delicacies and dressing up in their finery before Her. It is also a display of art, culture, craftsmanship where the artist breathes life into the clay idol and the craftsmen display their art in the pandals. The festival supports the home and livelihood of many people . Every aspect of this festival is so intriguing and fascinating.
ReplyDeleteYour vivid description brings out the aspects of our favourite festival so beautifully.
May Maa Durga bless everybody with good health, peace and prosperity 🙏
Thank you so much for your comments to almost all my write-ups. The attention and appreciation of the readers are the best motivations.
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