Grandeur of Durga Pujas in UK

UK shares city grandeur
Grandeur of Pujas in UK is equal to if not more than those held in Kolkata. Kasia Mill takes a sneak peek into what goes on behind the scene

Bengalis have been living in the UK for three generations now and it’s not a wonder that “the grandeur of the Pujas is the same as in Kolkata. We do our best. It is special because it has been going on for over 25 years, and continues to attract a lot of people,” said Mr Santanu Bhadra from South London Sarbojanin Puja (SLSP). But Puja in UK has many distinct qualities, “there is no competition at any rate amongst Durga Puja committees in London and England” said Mr Gopal Dutta, chairman of Indian Cultural Society (ICS). However, most of the committees celebrate for 6 days, some have to reduce it to only two days ~ 4 and 5 October (Saturday and Sunday). Puja celebrations in Cambridge has never been an extended period of festivities. “Our committee members are mostly academicians as well as professionals. Due to work and other commitments they do not have more than only two days in the week to indulge in Puja celebrations,” said Dr Barnali Ghosh, member of ICS. Since as early as 1960's numerous puja committees sprang up across England, which is probably the biggest Bengali Diaspora. The main celebrations are in London, with festive spirit seen in almost every part of this multicultural city. The biggest Puja was in Camden, in northern part of the town. “We heard they split last year and this year there may be 2 Pujas," said Sanjeev Banik, from Sanatan Bengali Asociation (SBA), which claims to be the first one to have launched a website dedicated to Puja. London may be the focal point, but Durga Puja is celebrated across the country. One of the first Puja organised outside the capital was in Liverpool, which was established 32 years ago. “Now it is celebrated in almost every big city at UK,” said Dr SL Ghose from Liverpool Puja Committee (LPC). In Liverpool about 1000 come to take prasad every day, in Cardiff footfall is over 2000. “Usually, we have 150 to 200 people coming in the afternoon and evening,” says Mr Bhadra, SLSP. They usually start coming at around 11 a.m. or 12 noon each day, and go on till 10 p.m., but with most events taking place in late afternoon, after work. Some restaurant, or other catering company usually provides food. However, in Cambridge “we cook our own food. Last year we had a gathering of more than 400 people and we served lunch on both the days,” Dr Barnali Ghosh, member of ICS, said. Mr Banik from SBA seems to be able to visualise the dishes as he names them: Pulao, aloogobi tarkari, rajma, shaag paneer, paish, chutney, papad, sandesh… For Puja celebrations in England everybody is welcomed, even non-Bengalis. Mr D Dutta, ICS said: “Through this autumn celebration, we try to demonstrate to other communities in England that India is not only about Bollywood and Bhangra Dance.” Dr B Ghosh also said: “We do not stick to only Bengali songs since we want the Pujas to be a multicultural event. We also perform plays during the Puja days”. Artists from all aver the world come to perform in England on this occasion. Ananya Chatterjee & Spandan will perform Bharatanatyam and Dohar, internationally acclaimed Indian Folk Group, will stage a musical performance. Probably, children are the ones to be most excited during the Pujas in England. Dr B Ghosh said: “Our main aim is to involve the future generation so that they know our culture thus we try to involve them the most. We have a dedicated dance and singing programme for the children.” For teenagers there will be a lot of fusion music, which is supposed to attract them. In Liverpool, as Dr SL Ghose, LPC, reveals, children come celebrate puja during their school hours: “They come with their teacher and they learn how to beat the dhaak how to wear saree. They enjoy it thoroughly”. source: the statesman