December e Maha Anondo

December is finally here...waiting for the cold to strike us any day..any time..!

Its finally time to take out the lep/kombol lying in the trunk....shake off the musty smell in them...put them in the sun and wrap one around you....well that's what I do first thing in the morning. Wrap one around me while I sit and sip chai in the living room at 5am waiting for the neighborhood to wake up.

And yes take out all those sweaters, hoodies, lovely stoles, head scarves...wear one each day...show it off to all around..

Time to sip endless cups of tea/coffee...well the only excuse being 'its too cold...I need the caffeine'.

Time to take out the Christmas tree, the tuni lamps, stars and the huge Santa from the closet and prepare for a nice party for the kids

Wait and watch the Chrysanthumums/Calendula/Roses/Dalia bloom..

Keep a tab on all the fairs in the town, visit them, go on a shopping spree and then look for a place to hoard them...

There's so much to do in December - the weather is favourable. the chill makes you work hard, party harder, wear all those clothes which I would hate to wear in summer, cook and eat as much you want..my most favorite season! Well, the best part is that its holidays for the boy which means no getting up early, no thinking your head out trying to decide the boy's tiffin next day, no deciding evenings depending on the boys homework and yes no early morning tantrums!!

This is what I call 'Maha-anondo'! Wish all the mothers with school-going kids 'Maha anondo'...!
 

Akash Prodeep

This little guiding light of mine/ I’m going to let it shine/let it shine/all the time/ let it shine!

That’s my version of an ‘akash prodeep’. This is a song which I learnt in school and yes I learnt it ‘by heart’. And then I forgot all about it. I sang it again the day Ma put up an ‘Akash prodeep’ in the month of Kartik after Thammi passed away. 

Thammi/Thamtham/Thamburi…these were all the names that I used to call my paternal grandmother. We lost her in 2002 to abdominal cancer. And that was the year I got through campus interview. She had promised me that she would accompany me wherever I went for my posting. Well when my place of posting was announced she was up there in the sky and yes she did live up to her word of following me around. That year Ma decided to put up an ‘Akash prodeep’ for my paternal grandparents. ‘Now that they both are up there let’s light a light for them’ is what Ma had said while putting it up. 

Baba, who never believed in these customs refused to be a party to it. We got a bamboo stick (about my height- 151cm), stuck a zero watt bulb on the top and connected the wire to the nearest plug point. Our ‘akash prodeep’ was ready. We set this up on our sprawling terrace at our Burdwan house. Our everyday evening ritual was switching it on. The warm glow of the lamp in the terrace on those wintry Kartik nights was quite calming. Many a night I and my sister would creep up the stairs wishing that ‘Thammi’ would see the light and come down for an earthly visit. That feeling of warmth still creeps into my heart whenever I think of an ‘akash prodeep’. 

It was one of those nights when we were planning to creep up the stairs that I heard the terrace door make a creaking sound. Surprised as there was nobody around we stealthily moved up the stairs. I saw a shadow. Scared and shivering, my little sister crouched below the lowermost rung while I mustered enough courage to climb up. I thought ‘Thammi has finally decided to pay us a visit’ and mounted up the stairs. Wide open and lit by the Purnima the terrace was clear except for a silhouette standing next to the ‘akash prodeep’. Quite tall for Thammi… or maybe after death my little Thammi who was hardly four feet has gained some height.

Well well well, who was it standing next to my ‘guiding light’? None but my father who had refused to help us with the prodeep and who refused to believe in these stories. I found him gazing longingly at the prodeep possibly echoing the same sentiments that we had!

Last year I lost my maternal grandfather who was a ‘father figure’ to me. This year while setting up the prodeep I could feel a connection with Thammi and Dadu. 

My Akash prodeep is very dear to me. While penning down this post I can see it standing tall and stately like a guardian angel in my terrace promising to protect me against all odds and evil. 

I know of many people who ridicule this custom and laugh at people like me. But this is what I believe in. It has nothing to do with superstition. Putting up an akash prodeep is like offering a Puja/garland to one’s ancestor. If we can perform an elaborate shradh ceremony in the memory of the deceased and spend thousands on feeding people then what harm does it do in lighting an akash prodeep for a month? 

I would like to end this post with another favorite song of mine.

Aakash prodeep jo-le, duur er taarar paane cheye-e
Aa-mar noyon duuti shudhui-i toma-re cha-he
Bethar badol-e jay che-ey

Boye chole andhi-ar raatri
Aami choli dishahin j-aatri
Duur ajanar paar-e ,o-kul ashar khey-a peeye (okul or akul same)
Aamar noyon d-uuti shudhui-i toma-re cha-he
Bethar badol e jay che-ey

Koto kaal aar koto kaal
Ei poth chola oo-go cholbe (poth or path same)
Koto raatri ar hiya-aa (the word ’ar’is almost silent here. Hidden in ratri)
Akash prodeep hoye j-olbe

Kono raat-e mon-e ki go porbe (o like kora kagoz, r=d in Hindi)
Betha hoye ankhi jol jhorbe
B-atash akuul ho-be tomar nish-ash tu-ku p-eye
Aamar noyon duuti shudhui-i toma-re cha-he
Bethar badol-e jay che-ey

Original Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Lyrics- Pabitra Mitra, Music- Satinath Mukherjee

November; Pujo fervour continues

KALI PUJO & KARTIK PUJO

It’s November and the popular refrain is ‘how time flies’. Yes the English year will end soon. 

November is another exciting month after the Durga Pujo frenzy of October. A fifteen-day respite is enough to overcome the post-Pujo blues and fatigue and gear up for the ‘Festival of Lights’. Preparations for Kali Pujo begin as soon as Lakshmi Puja gets over. Local hardware stores are alight. The colours twinkling inside those tiny stores are enough to dazzle us. Every house tries to outbid the other in getting the fanciest lights. One should check out Chandni Chowk market in Kolkata. Various kinds of lights in a wide range are available there. String of lights shaped as candles/diyas, electric diyas, pancha pradeep (five pradeep) are much in demand. 

And you can’t miss out the crackers. Though there is a high decibel limit, they still sell. The big daddy’s of crackers like ‘chocolate bomb’, ‘dudoma’, ‘dum duma dum’ are the most sought- after ones. A special mela is organized in Kolkata on the Brigade Grounds every year and is known as ‘baaji mela’. Crackers are on display everywhere. Even the tiny shops display a large collection of crackers. 

And yes people are still shopping! Suddenly there is a sale for every household appliance and assured Diwali gifts with it. Kalipujo has somehow got associated with the desire to wear the most gaudiest/glamorous outfit. Whoever I speak to have saved their glitziest outfit/sari for Kali Pujo. Kali Pujo these days is all about lights, color, glitz and glamour!

November also brings with it the much-needed chill in the air. The sky turns bluer, the sun loses its intensity, a cool breeze, light woolens out and we are all set for the fun and fiesta of November. 

There is Bhai Phonta, a day meant for the brothers and sisters to proclaim their love and renew their bonds for each other.

Kartik Pujo is performed by most women for the well-being of their offspring and also by married women who are yet to bear a child.

YOUR RECKONER FOR NOVEMBER

Jagadhatri puja, which is another form of the Goddess Durga on her lion sans her entourage of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Kartik and Mahishashur, has attained a metro status recently. Earlier it was a very homely affair with some households adhering to their age-old customs but these days its gained state-wide prominence.

November is also the month where the Bengali month Kartik gives way to Agrahayan. Kartik is considered the holiest of all months and many people give up non-vegetarian food altogether. Prices of fish, meat and eggs dip down to an all-time low. Good for Bongs like us who are based outside Kolkata! Kartik is also the time when we all put up ‘Akashprodeep’ (the guiding light) in the memory of our ancestors. 

More about these festivals and customs in my next topic. Meanwhile I have to hunt for some ‘tuni’ bulbs for my boy.

Dori Dhorey Maaro Taan / Dekhi Dugga Nonor Prize Ke Paan?

Ma ashchen…only a few more days to go! 10 more days before its Shoshthi! 

Kolkata is alive with the Puja fervor. Huge billboards glaring at you from every vantage location..pandals  yet to be completed..artisans and labourers working 24*7.

THE PANDAL AT LAKE TERRACE STILL IN THE MAKING

THE SERIES OF THEMES

Durga Puja has a unique feel in Kolkata. It’s extremely competitive. With the advent of various kinds of competitions and awards (the prize money is often in lakhs) Durga Puja is no longer a simple affair. It’s actually complicated; it involves a nexus of chaada (contribution/donation)collectors, ‘six-pack’ local heroes who are ready to create trouble if one refuses to pay, talented artists who have been brought from obscure villages, performers from various pockets of the adjoining districts, competitive themes, hosts of sponsors, glittering celebrities and a wide repertoire of fun-filled activities.

WONDERLAND IS THE THEME

THE KENDUA-GARIA THEME, 2012

These days Durga Puja (which was earlier considered an expensive affair) is organized by every known and little- known club in the locality. The competition begins as early as in June when every club announces its theme of the year and the name of the artisan in a huge hoarding in the locality. That’s the first sign that the Puja is here.

A tour around Kolkata at this time is interesting. Every locality boasts of around two-three Durga Pujo. Their hoardings are all unique and remarkable. I make it a point to stop at every point and click photographs. I doubt whether one can find hoardings of such quality in any other city. 

TRADITION V/S MODERNITY; THE CURRENT DEBATE

This post today is about some of those hoardings which I have captured in my cam. 

If you take a close look at the pictures I have put up you will find that every hoarding has 

- the name of the club

- the name of the artisan, and 

- the theme of the Puja for that year. 

The best part of it is that they all take immense pride in the name of the ARTISAN who’s the creator of this stupendous show. Renowned artists from various fields are the brain behind these exquisite pandals. There are men who have specialized in shola, terracotta, carpentry, leather, paper mache etc. They are all experts in their respective fields. It indeed is a tough competition of skills and art. I have found in the last couple of years that all these men have earned immense popularity and fame post the Durga Puja. The success of the theme has helped them find recognition and a strong foothold in the field of art and culture. Most of them are leading entrepreneurs today.

 

The THEMES are equally exciting. They are highly innovative. Last year there was a Puja based on steel utensils…yes…you read it right! We kept on guessing and debating with each other. And we passed a verdict that ‘it’s impossible’. But later when the show was unveiled, yes, they did pull it off very well. The whole Pandal and the idol were made out of steel utensils ranging from a ghoti, a baati to huge gaamlas and dekchis. They had the entire Bengali kitchen out there…unthinkable! But yes they did execute it and won innumerable prizes.

Another Pandal I remember was based on ‘clean green’ environment. There was the idol made out of eco-friendly materials. And a stark contrast to it was a Pandal made out of Beer bottles. Interesting!

HAND EMBROIDERY; THE THEME THIS YEAR

There was Kailashe Kelenkari; where they had recreated the entire Kailash scenario with Shiva, Parvati and those snow-capped hills. It was authentic and gigantic.

Cheen er Rohoshho; complete with caves and the Great Wall of China.

Forests of Africa; complete with the typical sounds of a forest, a huge bee hive and occasional roar of a tiger. It was quite an adventurous tour.

Another interesting feature is the way they write the theme. Nicely rhymed, they are short poems or what we call ‘CHHORA' in Bengali. Short and catchy they are attention-grabbers and one cannot help but keep them buzzing in their mind. Here are some examples. 

TO ADHERE OR NOT TO?

~‘Nodir Porey Ganga/Jombe Pujor Shondha’; the theme in Kendua, near Garia this year seems to be about rivers and boats. I can see when I pass by this area that they have already lined up huge boats, though the whole area is cordoned off.

~‘Mukto Batash Mukto  Praan…/Mora Srishtir Ullashey Gai Dashobhujar Gaan’; captures the spirit of the Bengali effectively. Isn’t that what we feel when we begin our countdown for the Durga Puja?

KAHANI ADDS CREDIBILITY?

~‘Puranton ke Dio Na Bidai Notunotter Mohey’; Makes us ponder how much have we preserved our age-old traditions and customs?

~'Mahamayar Moner Adharey/Shurashur Nidhon Mudrar Jaley’; I have been thinking about this particular theme. Is it about music and dance?

~'Shilpi Bhobotosh Shutarer Haater Kaajey/ Maa Ashben Pokkhiraaj e/Shobbhotar Rupok Shaajey/Dui Banglar Mel Bondhoney’; Advertises the artist and his area of specialization. As the name of the artisan implies, this one might have something to do with ‘shutor kaj’, ie. Hand embroidery.

~‘Ebareo Dekhte Hobe Noyto Pichiye Porte Hobe/Banglar Oitijho…/ Bangair Abesh/ Dugga Dugga.. .’ does not make it very clear but one can expect presentation of the rich Bengali heritage

PUPPETRY OF RAJASTHAN IN KOLKATA

~Another one at Bansdroni, Kolkata pays homage to the pioneer in Durga Puja ‘themes’ Shri Jayanto Mukhopadhyay. This is knowledge to me as I never knew who brought about this revolution in Durga Puja. They have also enlisted the popular Bangla Band Dohar for their Theme music. This one promises to be very innovative.

~‘Shekaler Shahebiyana/Na Ekaler Theme’; very contemporary and yes this debate is very close to my heart. Do we give up traditions for modernity?

Not to miss the name of the SPONSORS highlighted in bold on the hoarding. Sponsors range from a Pediasure, Indian Sweets, B.C. Das Jewellers. Sreeleathers, drug stores, caterers to even small scale factories.

The more I look at these themes, the greater pride I feel in this race called the Bengalis !!

JIO BANGALI JIO! 

October fest begins

Few more days to go...exactly three weeks from Ma Durga's arrival.

MA ASHCHEN; DURGA PUJA AT BHANDARHATI, BURDWAN

My post dated September 21 was about Pujor Gondho.

Besides Kaash ful and Sheuli Ful, there are some more indicators for the festive season. The ones which are buzzing in my head are

A look at the sky ~

Clear with specks of clouds here and there. No threats of a heavy downpour which might dampen our pre-puja spirit. Brilliant sunshine which can get a bit uncomfortable. For the unfortunate ones in Kolkata its hot and humid. But we don't miss out on our sarees and accessories. We make it up on the blouses though. Daring necklines, sheer material, peek-a-boo straps, pearl-studded blouses, backless cholis and many such variety. Let me see if I can catch hold of some 'daring' pics this Pujo!!

Pre-puja Sale ~

July-August are the months of stock clearance before the fresh Puja stock come in and the best time to start your pujo shopping. Most of us can be seen rushing to the malls to splurge. Three weeks away and people are still buying. Tailors are refusing to take in any more orders. Such is the rush that I get my stuff from tailor 'dada' only on the Shoshthi night! And not to miss the traffic snarls. They get longer and irksome as Puja draws nearer. No matter how many volunteers are there on the roads, they still get clogged with traffic and pedestrians who try to cross the roads from every possible angle.

Pujo Offers~

RECKONER FOR OCTOBER

Wide range of offers on household appliances, furniture encouraging people to give their homes a new look. And who doesn’t want a fresh, new look in their house? I remember Ma would always get beautiful curtains for the Pujo and the house would look great.

Pujo Special~

For the wanderlusts, Bartaman magazine comes out with a special section from May-June featuring Pujo special travel. Detailed information on various tourist destinations are regularly featured  in this weekly magazine. A must read for all those planning to travel during Pujo holidays.

Pujo Cultural Fest~

As the countdown comes closer to the date, one can hear rehearsals for Pujo programmes around. Every club/housing complex organizes cultural programmes during the three days. 

Pujo Pandals~

Huge bill boards in every corner of the city announcing the theme of the Pujo pandal, the artist and the awards that the particular puja has won in the last few years. And this is quite an art. The theme is usually written in the form of a poem. One of my favourite pass time is travelling around Kolkata and capturing these themes on my camera. Its an art in itself which I don't think one gets to see anywhere else in India.  

 

If you have some more 'indicators' in your mind please do not hesitate to put them down. And I will add them with due credit to you. 

Bolo Durga Mai Ki Jai!