Pujo Elo

Pujo!

The very utterance of the word releases a gush of images into the Bengali mind. A large festive gathering, people laughing, women decked in colorful sarees chatting their heads off, the heavy blanket of incense enveloping everyone. Children free of parental bans and filters on their activities having a gala time. Guys and gals flirting with careless abandon.  Food- stalls lined up, the tasty mouthwatering aroma of chicken rolls and fried fish wafting through the air. The sound of conch-shells, the shaankh the  rhythmic rise and ebb of drum beats, the dhaak, the slow and gradual building tempo of the dhunuchi dancers  swaying to the drum-beats. Delightful, enchanting, divine!

A Bong looks forward to Durga Puja or Pujo just like a child looks forward to his or her birthday. No sooner is one over, the countdown for the next one begins.

With COVID 19 invading every aspect of our lives, this image of Pujo celebrations seems like a chapter from the annals of history, a vision for the future or just a self-delusionary day-dream.

Whether we have a grand celebration or as last year pay obeisance to the Mother before a live cast from a Durga puja mandap, Pujo is the greatest element that binds Bengalis together, whichever part of the globe they be. The most important element in Durga Puja is the idol or rather the set of idols, which are worshipped and around which these festivities revolve. At the centre of this set of idols is Goddess Durga. Durga is strength personified- she has ten hands all of which are laden with weapons.  She stands on a lion, which has teeth -each like a sheath knife. She lifts her trident to pierce the fierce Mahishasura, the deadly demon. She represents the constant struggle of humanity-to kill the demon within us, to suppress the beast within us and ensure our godliness prevails.

To the right is Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth. She is all decked up with silks and gold and also holds a pot of gold.   She is so very rich! You really need to win her favor, to secure for yourself a bit of gold from that pot of hers!

On Durga’s left, is Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. She is in stark contrast to Lakshmi. Draped in a white sari, sans jewellery, seated on a white swan with a book in one hand and a stringed lute – the veena, in another. She is as self-contented as a hermit in meditation. She cares two hoots about Lakshmi’s prized hold- the pot of gold.

Sharing stage-space with Saraswati is Kartik, the handsome and valiant God of war. He is as proud as the peacock he rides. He is a globe trotter, except that he does not trot but flies on his peacock’s back, the only peacock on earth or heaven that can fly long distance.

To the right of Lakshmi is Ganesh or Ganapathy. Bulging stomach, riding on a rat, he has the head of an elephant.  Passionate food lover, the stenographer of Veda Vyasa.  Ganesh is the lord of auspicious beginnings- his pictures, idols and murals ensure that one’s door attracts good occurrences, the office cubicle ensures a promotion and the cupboard stores lots of money!

And last but not the least is Shiva, the head of the family, right atop all the idols. He is there to ensure that all wealth, wisdom, knowledge and valor needs to be regulated and utilized towards the good of humanity. He also gives a lesson in humility. Irrespective of our skills and talents, it is the wish of this Vidhaata that commands us- we are nothing without God.

During the four days of Pujo, Bengalis have the best time of the year. In fact, Bengalis make up for all the non- vegetarian food that the rest of India renounces during the nine days of Navaratri.

On the last day, the Durga family idols are immersed in water and a watery cloud descends on the mood of the Bongs as they prepares themselves for the stretched mundanity of the next day and the next day and the next day. 

Pujo triggers a weird behavior pattern in Bongs- they flaunt, flirt, feast and fool around as though there is no tomorrow. Such behavior, often harboring on insanity is incomprehensible to many. But I bet-anyone who attends the Pujo once would want to come again and again as the magic besieges them. And for them too, no sooner would one Pujo be over, the countdown for the next one would begin.