The Puja flavour
BUSINESS DOES not come to one’s mind anyhow. The critical analysis notwithstanding, let’s get ready to celebrate the most-awaited occasion. Let’s be prepared to welcome Maa whole-heartedly, in just the Bengali Ishtyle.
All Bengalis, in particular, the people of Kolkata, are in a jovial mood, shopping, drawing up outing plans and whatever they can, to make these five days the most happening moment of the year. This craze although starts in Kolkata almost a month in advance, but now it peaks with the Mahalaya right at the door. Just a week left for the puja, people turn the world upside down to enjoy these moments of bliss. Puja pandals are now in the making. Every road, every street and every little lane of Kolkata will surely witness some form of pandal being erected. The traditional puja pandals which are almost regular prize-winners like the Telengabagan, Ekdaliaevergreen, Singhipark and Sribhumi, are all ready with their plans, which are currently in the process of implementation. They are ready and striving hard to make it to the top three.
Even the smaller pandals are erected with utmost dedication. With Maa coming home with her children after a year, casting aside the age barrier, people undertake collection of chandaas, form puja committees, meetings…..all in dedication to Maa who ushers in joy and merriment. It’s not only in Kolkata, Bengalis in other parts of the country too celebrate Durga puja.
In Delhi we find aristocratic families conduct their own puja. They have been doing it for years; they celebrate in a different way, before a huge gathering. We normally find this in joint families where the practice of conducting Durga puja is personally transmitted from one generation to the other. Similarly in other places, we find Durga Pujas taking place and the ardour is almost infectious and enthusiastic. These days, Bollywood stars celebrating Durga Puja at their homes to show devotion to the Maa is in vogue, though the behind-the-curtain story is that they do it just to gain some fame and publicity.
But puja these days is getting commercial, as if Maa is acquiring a corporate flavour. Thousands of business and advertisement plans are lined up as the puja approaches. Sales, discount and puja bonanza - all come up in the name of puja celebrations and businessmen make a huge profit.
The situation is that these people await this moment all through the year, when they can make the maximum profit, especially in Kolkata. As we hit the streets of the city, smooth traffic is nowhere to be seen. Crowd, traffic, confusion and blocked roads are just the routine during the month. Newspapers, television, hoardings and internet - all carry banner-type advertisements. Major projects are planned in accordance with the puja dates to bring in maximum profit. This is the Durga puja scenario now. People do understand these but cannot resist giving in to the corporate wit, all the same. After all Maa comes only once in a year. And they will do anything for her.
Just a few days and it will be Bijaya Dashami. We will see her immersed in water with the setting sun providing the perfect background…..such moments are truly poignant. Business does not come to one’s mind anyhow. The critical analysis notwithstanding, let’s get ready to celebrate the most-awaited occasion. Let’s be prepared to welcome Maa whole-heartedly, in just the Bengali Ishtyle. source: merinews.com
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