A cultural confluence

SHARADOTSAV. Literally meaning the Autumnal Festival. The one and only fest in the whole year which livens up every Bengali in the world.

It is fall season now, and the sizable Bengali community in the city is all decked up. The best time of the year has arrived.

The fun and frolic of the festivities is centred around Durga Puja, the biggest occasion in any Bengali household. Symbolic of the triumph of good over evil, the whole of the community gets together to celebrate it.

The glamour and the glitterati is seen all around. The young and the old alike, wear new clothes. The houses are decorated. Every puja pandal is embellished in the eulogy of `Ma Durga'.

The social relevance, for every festival in the country, lies in its ability to bring people of all hues together, though it is basically a religious event.

With the monsoon getting over in other parts of the country (here, though, the monsoon has only just set in), the change in weather brings with it the joy of bright sunshine. The fest has an underlying influence on people as it helps them lift their spirits, says Mr. Debiprasad Chakarborty, a `probasi' (non- resident) Bengali of Chennai.

The sound of the `dhak' (drums) is heard as the community members in the city frolic around for Durgotsav, as the fest is otherwise known as.

Durga Puja in the city is organised by the South Madras Cultural Association in Besant Nagar and the Madras Airport Durga Puja Celebration Committee in Meenambakkam, while the one at Bengal Association, T.Nagar is the oldest one. Besides, pujas are also held in Avadi, Tambaram and many other places including the Madras Kali Bari in West Mambalam.

The five-day programmes began on Monday and would culminate on Vijayadasami day when the idol of the goddess will be immersed.

The usual puja arrangements apart, a host of cultural activities also formed part of the city events.

While an `Ananda Mela' (happy fair) and various literary and cultural events formed the sidelights at Besant Nagar, drama, song and dance performances (by artists who came from Bengal) were the main events. Maha Ashtami on Wednesday had a good turnout in the morning. The principal attraction was the `bhog', the offerings made to the deity which kept people waiting till afternoon.

The event was not restricted to the friends and family of the `probasi' Bengalis alone. ``We at the SMCA also make a conscious effort to bring in people from other communities to promote cultural activities,'' says Mr. Chakarborty. Durga Puja is not the only occasion for it. Exclusive cultural fests are also organised.

Being a culturally vibrant group, the Bengalis only require an excuse to organise such events, say many in the community. Durga puja, likewise, is not just an event, it is a meeting place for communities.

By Saptarshi Bhattacharya

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Section  : Southern States
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