From Kumortuli to Camden Centre
The puja is in its 53rd year.
If you are a Bengali then you are aware of the deep breaths people take in to inhale the “Pujo Pujo gondho” at this time of the year. While it seems to be a common phenomenon in Kolkata, Bengalis who live far away often miss the chance to take a whiff of the Puja fragrance nature seems to offer. Such is no longer the case as the closely knit Bengali communities settled in big cities across the globe come together to celebrate the most cherished event of a Bengali’s life; Durga Puja.
Snuggled up in central London is the London Durga Puja Dusherah Committee which has been celebrating the Puja since 1963. The celebrations have moved from one community hall to another over the years. It was initiated at Tavistock Place and has finally settled down at Camden Centre in the heart of London. The Committee is now all set to organise its 53rd Puja.
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“Camden London Puja, being one of the oldest, has been always very popular among people celebrating Durga Puja. Indeed, it was at one time the only Puja for many people to conveniently visit since it’s in central London.
So, we have always witnessed very high participation and of course the love of people. In recent years, we have experienced a footfall of about 45000 during these five days,” says Samaroha Das. The assistant general secretary of the Committee, has been a part of Durga Puja culture in London for almost ten years.
This year, the Committee will celebrate its Durga Puja from Friday, October 7, to Tuesday, October 11. The theme of 2016 is Bengal handicraft. On Mahashasthi, bodhon and unveiling of the Puja will take place. It will be followed by anjali, bhog and aarti on Mahashaptami, Mahaashtami’s bhog, shandhi puja and aarti, Mahanavami’s bhog and aarti and finally the celebration will be concluded with a grand Vijaya on Dashami.
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“While Durga Puja is in key focus and we do everything possible to follow the rituals and traditions as written in the books, we also organise a variety of cultural programs alongside. People from all over London, UK and even other countries come to participate,” says Das.
This year, the Londoners will start with a Mahalaya program called Mahishashura Mardini, followed by Bollywood evening to be performed by a London-based Bengali group; Golden Oldies by another UK-based Bengali group; Tagore night by one of our committee members in collaboration with Dakshinee Kolkata and a grand concert by Aneek-Anwesha from Kolkata on Dashami. There will be a huge number of guests attending the events.
To stay in touch with the roots, the Committee has been bringing the idols all the way from Kolkata. This idol being worshipped now was made by Gorachand Paul of Kumartuli who passed away.
“People from various age groups get engaged in our Puja in different capacities. We have elderly people guiding us at all times and the young enthusiastic members trying to make the London Puja feel like one in Kolkata! We also have our Camden Kids who are the children and the next generation participating in Puja activities and the programs,” says Das.
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It is difficult to be away from Kolkata’s Durga Puja but this Committee does its best to fill in the void. For the younger ones, this is the only Puja that they know but for those who still live with the memory of Kolkata, every little effort means a lot.
“Kolkata Puja pandal is one thing that I loved going to. I saw the imagination and artwork of the organisers change year on year. A pandal is one thing we, unfortunately, don’t get to see in London. On the other hand, what I absolutely love about our London Puja is the bonding and homely feeling among those attending it. People know each other and welcome each other,” adds Das.
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Ananda Gupta, who has been living outside of Kolkata for 26 years, misses “the amazing street noises and the dazzling display of lights” in Kolkata and the hustle and bustle on the streets that make people conscious of the importance of the event. “A similar ambience is created in London too but it all occurs within a confined space. It doesn’t engulf us the way Kolkata did as a city,” says Gupta, the present chairman and an active member of the Committee for 16 years.
Through Durga Puja, the Committee has tried to uphold the spirit of Bengali culture and attempted to bridge the gap between the two cities. “We have been trying every year to bring Kolkata Puja closer to London and vice versa. With that in mind, this is the first time that Camden London Puja has partnered with Ballygunge Cultural Puja in south Kolkata and people visiting each of these will be able to see and feel the other side. This is a massive step towards bringing the puja culture in the two cities closer,” says Das. “While a mental distance remains,” adds Gupta, “the physical proximity will tie a new bond in 2016.”