MUMBAI: For Bengalis, Durga Pujo is more than a festival. It's an emotion and a celebration of not only the supreme power but also of togetherness. As a proud Bengali, Bahnishika Das—who has written prominent projects like Ssshhhhh Koi Hai…, Bidaai, Ranbir Rano, Godh Bharaai, Mitwa, Gulaal, Doli Armaanon Ki…, Ashoka, Maharana Pratap, Udaan, and recently COLORS’ Binddii—has been excitedly looking forward to her yearly ritual of pandal hopping and gorging on some yummy Bengali delicacies from the day of Shoptomi itself.
For her, Durga Pujo is a beautiful "amalgamation of worshipping Goddess Durga and celebrating feminine energy and Shakti, while also rejoicing in this time when families come together over food, fun, and festivities."
She added, "Just as the story goes that during this period Goddess Durga visits her maternal home on Earth with her children—Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesh—we Bengalis also celebrate by going to our nanihaal (Dadu-Dida’s house/Mama’s house), getting together with cousins, aunts, and uncles, and sharing sumptuous food, love, and the loud, gregarious Bengali laughter."
Mumbai is her home now, and though she admits to the grandeur of this festival celebrated in Kolkata, she has had the opportunity to enjoy it in various parts of India too. She now looks forward to the beautiful Goddess Durga idols and the excitement that comes alive in Mumbai during Pujo.
She said, "I can’t wait to begin my pandal hopping for Darshan and follow it up by visiting Bengali food stalls around the pandals, dressed in Pujo finery, especially lovely Bengal sarees. I especially look forward to the pandal hosted by the famed singer Abhijit Bhattacharya, then the Mukherjee family’s Pujo started by Rani Mukherjee and Kajol’s family, and the grand one in Navi Mumbai. I particularly love the Bhog Khichdi at Rani Mukherjee’s Pujo pandal."
"I just love the very fragrance of Durga Pujo, no matter where it is—the ambience, the Rabindrasangeet songs in the pandals, the Bengali biryani at the stalls, the terracotta ornaments, and the red-and-white bordered sarees so many of us wear with pride," she added.
Asked about her favorite Durga Puja memory, she shared there are far too many. She said, "Well, to share one—my parents would buy us different dresses for each day of Pujo, from Shoptomi to Nobomi, and sometimes even one for Doshomi! That meant at least 5 new dresses every Pujo, plus the ones gifted by uncles and aunts—sometimes taking the total to 10. Imagine the joy of that for the young girl in me! I was spoilt for choice, and I loved every moment."
"Another fun Pujo memory is of standing in long queues for Khichdi Bhog prasad. As a child, I had the privilege of sneaking through crowds between people’s knees, carrying my dabba, just to reach the front and get my family’s share first. Those small Pujo joys felt so big at that age," she added.
And wherever she is, she makes sure to follow her one ritual that she has been doing since childhood. Talking about it, she said, "On the 10th day—Doshomi, the last day of Pujo, which coincides with Dussehra—we would visit friends and family with sweets and fish and touch elders’ feet to offer Bijoya’r Pronaam."
"I still love to continue this ritual to the best of my capacity—conveying my Bijoya’r Pronaam and bhaalobaasha to my parents and cooking for them, which I am looking forward to this year too. I also call up my elders and cousins in Kolkata, and whenever time permits, I host a Bijoya treat for my friends like family here in Mumbai," Bahnishika concluded.
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