In the heart of Bengal's embrace, when autumn's gentle sigh begins to whisper through the air, a symphony of devotion and celebration unfurls - it is none other than Durga Puja, a tapestry woven by the threads of tradition and the essence of unity. Oh, how the Bengali soul awakens at the call of Ma Durga, the embodiment of strength and grace. From the bustling streets of Kolkata to distant shores where Bengali hearts beat, the spirit of Pujo knows no bounds.
Long ago, as legends whispered to us, the goddess Durga arose from the cosmic seas, a warrior draped in the splendor of triumph. She became our beacon of hope, her tale a reminder that the darkness of evil shall always yield to the light of righteousness. Thus began the journey of Durga Puja, a narrative that transcends time.
In Kolkata, the city of joy, the preparation for Pujo is a dance of anticipation. Artisans mold her likeness with devotion, chiseling her divine form to perfection. Pandals arise, grand and intricate, like dreams manifested into reality. As the dhakis' drums resound through the air, the heartbeats of the city find harmony with the rhythm of celebration.
Bengalis, during this time, are like children reunited with a beloved family member. The aroma of traditional delicacies wafts from kitchens, and sarees and kurta-pajamas emerge, each thread telling a tale of heritage. The days are filled with the resonance of dhunuchi naach and the melody of Rabindra Sangeet, our dear Tagore's compositions echoing through time.
The spirit of Durga Puja is a testament to the Bengali soul's depth - a blend of artistry, spirituality, and intellectual curiosity. Tagore himself, a luminous star in our cultural constellation, understood this harmony. His words, like the verses of his immortal poetry, mirror the essence of Pujo. "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high," he wrote, encapsulating the spirit of both Pujo and the Bengali ethos.
And as the world turns, Durga Puja's embers continue to glow, carried by Bengali diaspora to lands far and wide. From New York to London, Toronto to Sydney, the beats of dhak echo, and the goddess's gaze transcends oceans. In 2020, the world recognized this unifying spectacle, as UNESCO embraced Durga Puja, welcoming it into the illustrious fold of intangible cultural heritage.
And so, as the drums of Durga Puja beat to the rhythm of time, let our hearts resound with an invitation, a call that echoes across continents and embraces all Bengalis, near and far. To those souls scattered across distant shores, yearning for the warmth of home, this is our call - come back, come back to the embrace of your roots, to the fervor of Durga Pujo. Let the pandals and the dhakis weave a bridge of memories, spanning the distances that separate us. For in this season of unity and rejoicing, the heart of Bengal beckons, and the goddess herself smiles upon those who heed the call. Let us gather, like stars illuminating the night sky, and together, we shall create a constellation of love, tradition, and belonging beneath Ma Durga's divine gaze. Come back, dear Bengalis, come back to the heartland that beats in unison with yours.
Author : Sourav Biswas