It’s been 73 years. The Bengalee Affiliation in Bengaluru nonetheless holds its grip over conducting essentially the most vibrant Durga puja within the metropolis. As we rejoice Vijayadashami marking the top of Navaratri, it is usually the time when devotees bid adieu to Maa Durga which symbolises the victory of excellent over evil.
The Bengalee Affiliation situated at Bengaluru’s Ulsoor is the oldest collective of the Bengali neighborhood that has carried out Durga puja celebrations over the generations. At present, the third era of affiliation members is carrying ahead the legacy that was laid by their predecessors within the Nineteen Fifties.
After two years of Covid-induced lull in festivities, this time the affiliation has made a comeback however with elevated vibrancy and devotion. The puja this yr is themed round ‘baran’ – a ritual welcoming ‘Maa Durga’ residence.
Tamashrti Deb, who has been a part of the affiliation for 15 years says, “This yr’s pujo may be very particular after subdued celebrations for the previous two years. The pujo is themed round ‘baran’ which welcomes ‘Maa Durga’ to our residence. On the day of Vijayadashami, we devotionally ship her again to Lord Shiva, marking the top of Durga pujo. This yr we ensured that we set up Durga Maa’s idol which is calm and lovely in nature, in comparison with the aggressive nature which is generally worshiped.”
After two years of Covid-induced lull in festivities, this time the affiliation has made a comeback however with elevated vibrancy and devotion.
She additionally provides that, “After I got here to Bengaluru from Kolkata 15 years in the past, I actually missed being a part of the Durga pujo there. Nevertheless, becoming a member of the Bengalee Affiliation in Bengaluru, I actually felt homely. The journey since then has been to accommodate devotees throughout all sections and promote inclusivity and oneness on the event of Durga pujo.”
The Bengalee Affiliation can also be displaying the gamcha (cotton garments), the normal red-bordered white sarees, and mythological artworks as a part of the festivities.
In accordance with the members, the 73-year-old affiliation began off predominantly with Bengalis working in lots of public sector establishments, together with HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted, ITI (Indian Phone Industries), and HMT (Hindustan Machine Instruments).
Deb explains that the pujo initially began within the type of Saraswati puja in a library in Malleswaram. With the rising inhabitants of Bengalis and the enlargement of Bengaluru, one workforce branched out to rejoice Durga pujo on the opposite aspect of town.
Durga pujo in Bengaluru advanced from a pandal tradition to the ‘Kalyana Mandapa’ tradition over time. Vishwarup Ray, whose ancestors had been integral to the evolution of the affiliation in Bengaluru mentioned, “The affiliation used to move the idols from Kolkata to Bengaluru by means of trains. Earlier, pandals had been arrange in numerous open grounds and eventually RBANMS Floor in Ulsoor turned the house turf of celebrations within the metropolis. Not simply Durga puja, the affiliation additionally hosts Rabindra Jayanti, Nazrul Islam Jayanti in a grand method,” says Ray, who provides that the affiliation truly pioneered in bringing star singers to the pujo.
He additionally added that Gitanjali was one of many largest music festivals held in Bengaluru in 2010 across the Durga puja time. 1000’s of Bengalis in Bengaluru thronged the occasion to catch a glimpse of prime singers like Shaan, and Jagjith Singh amongst others.”
Through the festive interval the Bengalee Affiliation screened films and staged dramas which gave folks in Bengaluru a sneak-peek into the Bengali tradition. “Movies like ‘Pather Panchali’ and ‘Sonar Kella’, and dramas performs resembling ‘Snow White and Seven Dwarfs’, performs of Bankim Chandra Upadhyay and Satyajith Ray had been screened through the competition from 10pm to 11 pm,” mentioned Ray.