Durga Puja, Kolkata 2018

Posted on : October 21, 2018
Author : AGA Admin

(Maa- Durga in traditional golden hued daker-saaj

Location: Maddox Square)

When the day begins with the rhythmic beat of the dhak and the fragrance of the shiuli embraces the air, we know the time has come. The time has come for Ma Durga to make her yearly visit to the earth from Mount Kailash, the time has come for the creative artisans to put their finishing touches to the images in Kumartoli, for the pandal makers to transform their innovative ideas into the most astounding pandals at every park, maidan and street corner of Kolkata, for the weavers to warp and weft the last threads on the saris in their looms and for the mishti , made in humungous quantities to be embellished with the silver foil on top that gives them a moonlight finish and a magical taste. It’s also the time for women to clean their houses, for men to finish their work so they can take off from shashti to dashami, for the mohalla big bosses to make sure they collect chanda from every household and for the priests to put together their clean new dhotis, holy books and puja implements needed for the elaborate rituals and observances that lie ahead. This is the most awaited time of the year for every Bengali family, when religion, tradition, celebration, art, culture, music, aesthetics and craftsmanship, all come together with joy, love and festivity. The feeling is indescribable. For all of us, the Pujas are a part of our being that can never be parted from us.

The five days pass in an endless round of pandal hopping seeing the most awesome images , decorations and themes, ranging from the very traditional ‘daker shaaj’ to the ever so contemporary Lakshmi as a young girl in a red and white sari sitting on a table , clutching a bunch of keys , or a young boy crossing the threshold wearing a Ganesha mask or Kartik as a young tribal lad with his bow and arrow….it is creativity at its best and the list of such amazing ideas transcreated by unique minds, is simply endless. That and the pandal exteriors, decorated with the Mayurbhunj masks or the Rajasthani puppets and the paper glass and plate decorations… it’s mindboggling to say the least. On the way there is socializing, group addas at the most unlikeliest of places, and of course the fasting before the daily pushpanjali and the feasting thereafter. New clothes, matching accessories and shoes, a bit of innocent flirtation and laughter complete the Puja ambience.

And so, the four days rush past in a dervish dance of celebration and revelry, and soon it is time for the goddess to return to her home in the hills. She has been worshipped with piety and devotion and now it is time to depart. With sandesh on her lips and the conical paan in her hands, the vermillion sindoor blazing on her forehead, Durga begins her journey back. She leaves behind a tearful populace, who can only pray that she comes back to earth soon. And with the immersion rituals completed,what is left behind are deserted pandals, empty cartons and plastic plates, mounds of dry flowers and leaves and a vacuum in the hearts of all. There is an emptiness in the air, much like that in any household, after the bride has departed for her husband’s house. But the sorrow is tinged with hope and faith that soon she will be back .There is the inherent belief that the days will pass into months and the months into a year and then the dhakis will be back with renewed vigour , the pandits back with their sacred implements, the weavers back with their multi coloured saris and the artists at Kumartuli back with their latest idols in the most innovative looks. The rituals will begin from the break of dawn and carry on till moonshine. The happiness and festivity will once again takeover the earth. Ma Durga will reign again in a never ending cycle or hope, joy, love, celebration and gaiety.

Paramita Ray

Guest Contributor