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Quintessential festive fervour

Excitement galore Puja refers to everything new. From the gigantous sky above, with the autumn sun and fluffy clouds to…

Quintessential festive fervour

Excitement galore
Puja refers to everything new. From the gigantous sky above, with the autumn sun and fluffy clouds to the white ‘kashful’ on the ground, the world seems to wake up after a sulky monsoon.

With the Bengalis present all over , Durga Puja has now spread across the world. What once used to be a rural festival symbolising strength and happiness, has now achieved global recognition.

The cities, especially Kolkata, which houses some of the most beautiful pandals and idols, dazzle with lights during this time. It’s overwhelming to notice how people from every walk of life stop discriminating among themselves and come together, looking best in their new attires.

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Durga Puja in villages still clings to the ancient bonedi (traditional) culture. People wake up to the sound of the story of Devi Durga being played on the speakers. With the traditional ath-chala (one framed) idols and tuft of ‘kashfuls’, Pujas in villages are amazing.

Deprived of cost-cutting measures required in organising captivating themes, the organisers stick to the traditional ones.

Kolkata showcases the best Pujas in the country. And with the Chief Minister announcing that 75 best Pujas will be invited to the red road rally, which is kind of a tribute to the Rio Carnival, the City Of Joy is bustling with excitement.

The clubs, it seems, are paying more importance to the ‘style’. But, they say that there are two sides of a coin.

These themes bring happiness to the households of rural artisans who are depended on this for livelihood. Besides, it also brings back some old Bengali culture which might have been forgotten by the majority.

Summing up though, Durga Puja is Durga Puja. So, unwind and enjoy! Happy Pujas!

(Rwitacheta Sinha, Coordinator, Class VIII, St Joseph’s
Convent, Chandannagar)

Time for togetherness
The season has arrived to wake up to the sound of the dhak (drums) and go to bed with our eyes dazzled with lighting. Yes, our all time favourite Durga Puja is just around the corner.

The greatest festival of Bengalis is fun-filled from beginning till the end. Preparations start much before the actual Puja commences. With the onset of Autumn (September- November), the malls, markets, and shops are packed with people gearing up to stash their wardrobe with new set of dresses.

Be it ethnic or western, we always want to look best during the Pujas. Alongside this hustle and bustle, the streets remain blocked due to the building of the ‘pandal’ structures.

Everywhere we go basic structures made of bamboo sticks, of various types-big, small, traditional or based on a theme, are found on main roads or narrow lanes while in Kumortuli, the beautiful idols of Goddess Durga and her family get ready to be shipped to their destinations.

My favourite way to spend Mahalaya is to get up at dawn and listen to the myths and songs about Goddess Durga. The way She was created by the trinity and how bravely she fought and defeated Mahishashur, bewilders me even though I’ve been listening to the stories over the years. Pandal hopping starts from chaturthi and by ashtami and nabami, people almost gets stampede at the best Pujas.

People from suburbs and villages visit Kolkata to enjoy the different masterpieces here. Everybody, dressed in new attires, get together with friends and family, and admire the theme Pujas and the magnificent lighting while stopping now and then for a delicious, lip-smacking treats.

This grand festival brings Bengalis together. They get together at this time of festivity. I usually visit my grandparent’s house during the Pujas. We organise a family get-together on ashtami, where all my maternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins spend time together.

We organise a big feast, the elders remain engrossed in long chats, while we, the little ones, play around the house livening it up with laughter.

Durga Puja is the only time of the year when I get a chance to meet my relatives. In the evening, we siblings go for pandal hopping and come home late, with our tummies filled with scrumptious dishes.

To me Durga Puja means blue sky with feathery clouds floating, the air filled with the sweet fragrance of ‘shewli’ (a type of flower), a time when the sound of dhaks compels us to tap our feet to the rhythm and the sound of ghanta (bell) while offering puja, makes the heart leap with joy.
Happy Pujas to everyone!

(Renesa Mukhopadhyay, Coordinator, Class VIII, Patha
Bhavan, Kolkata)

Filled with joy
The glitters of the glass bangles has added to the aura of the market. The clinking of the anklets, the fragile carvings on the bracelets, the varied earrings in shapes of bells, moon, stars, snowflakes made it even more difficult for those women out on their last shopping before the Pujas. Only a few days left to get ready, a few days after which the wait would be finally over.

The markets have decked up like a bride, adorned with the rich brocades, silk saris, lehengas and kaftans. Final touches are being given to the pandals on the streets. The fragrance of fresh paint, of wet clay is bringing vibes of enthusiasm to the onlookers and the passersbys’.

Chandeliers are being put up; fresh coats of paints are being applied to the designs sketched on the walls of the abode of the Goddess. Pastel shades of curtains are being flung, fountains erected, loudspeakers are being tested. The white patches of cotton clouds in the azure sky and white ‘kashful’ at horizon heralds the advent of the Goddess. The Puja fever is already in the air.

(Anushka Roy, Coordinator, Class XI, St Joseph’s Convent, Chandannagar)

Symbol of strength
Durga Puja comes as a reminder of the significantly commendable and inspirational role played by the women in daily lives. The frenzy that comes with the beating of dhaks (drums), pandal-hopping, tasting the bhog and following the rituals, Durga Puja is an experience to be lived and to create memories for life.

Nowadays, fighting for women’s rights has become synonymous with hatred towards men. By definition, feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and
opportunities.

How can we affect change in a world where the opinions of only half the race is taken into account? We talk a lot about equal rights for men and women but nothing constructive has taken place beyond that. Women still feel unsafe outdoors. Throughout time, women have bore the consequences of gender discrimination.

Goddess Durga is a woman with a various manifestations ranging from calmness and peaceful to aggressive and high spirited. At one time she is as peaceful as the ocean while at other times she performs the cosmic dance of death. She is divine and above all, never to be brought down.
Many of us have been privileged to be showered with the love and care of our parents who did not discriminate us for being daughters. We were fortunate enough to receive education. But the harsh reality is there are many girls who aren’t as privileged as us.

It is a reminder of how an orthodox society is responsible for such an injustice. All women must know that in each of us lies the power to outdo ourselves.

The sooner we realise this truth, the lesser will anyone dare to overpower us. That day our identity will not just be a man or woman, but a human being. There is a Devi Durga in all of us.

(Sneha Roy, Coordinator, Class XI, St Joseph & Mary’s School)

Celebrating women power
Durga Puja is knocking at our doors, ending a year long wait and filling our hearts with joy as the ambience turns festive. But Goddess Durga symbolising both power and affection goes beyond the identity of a deity. Durga means the celebration of divine Shakti (power). She is invincible, protecting humankind from evil inclinations like jealousy, hatred, prejudice, greed and selfishness.
Most of us are familiar with the mythological story of the emergence of Goddess Durga.

Mahishasura, the personification of evil, happened to be a disciple of Lord Bramha. To impress the Lord, Mahisasur put himself through a severe penance. Lord Bramha never turned down his devotees and agreed to grant him any boon he desired.

Mahishasura asked Lord Bramha to make him invincible so that no man or beast can kill him. No sooner was the wish granted than he started tormenting the universe. Circumstances led to the creation of Goddess Durga, also known as the dasabhuja (one with ten hands). One who is caring and at the same time fierce and can go to any extends to protect humankind.

Thus, Goddess Durga isn’t just a deity worshiped in thousands of pandals in Kolkata and abroad, but the idol symbolising women power. Those who play the role of a daughter, a wife and a mother bearing all the pains that comes in their way with a smiling face and also those who has conquered both outside and inside world.

With the festival of Durga Puja we celebrate the annihilation of evil and triumph of woman power. It recognises the struggle of every woman who has pledged their lives for the sake of everyone’s safety.

(Anuska Pal, Coordinator, Class X, Gokhale Memorial Girl’s School)

 

 

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