An open letter to once upon a big family,
This letter is to each member of my household with one sole aim to keep the family united and revive the warmth of embrace from the scattered lands.
Let us look back to once upon a time in Allahabad when we all were just one call away and what is best time to recall the moments than our Durga Puja season.
Three weeks before pujo;
With the onset of puja, the counting of logs in the Bai ka Bagh park begins and watching the same getting draped with clothes was a call to every siblings' that it is time to buy new clothes and collect pocket money.
Two weeks before pujo;
The discussion of every day topic is what is new in fashion and how many days will this year pujo last? While the collection of chanda has raked our colony the distribution of events pamphlets have reached our door.
We sisters do not believe in buying the last stock and the first thing we do after school is rush to Chowk and Civil Lines to pick our style dress. While moms are always cool headed to let us pacify our own desires first, they believe in buying their sarees later.
We sisters do not believe in buying the last stock and the first thing we do after school is rush to Chowk and Civil Lines to pick our style dress. While moms are always cool headed to let us pacify our own desires first, they believe in buying their sarees later.
One week before pujo;
Early morning the radios are turned on to listen to Mahalya songs, this is mothers' and fathers' perfect time to bargain and buy their stuffs. Where our attention on studies have reduced the makeup tutorials have increased. The purpose of going to terrace is now to compare which pandal has reached the utmost height, the Neta nagar's or Bai ka bagh's with our favorite always being the later!
Three days before puja;
We have piled our books aside, moms do not feel the urge to cook anymore and fathers have taken their layback form. Oh! did i miss my brother all the way? Yes, he suddenly gathers all the sisters in his room and show off his bundle of shirts scattered on his bed each paired with different fabric pants. That is too much for us to wimp over the fact, that wish we all sis were earning like him too.
Day of Durga puja;
Total chaos at home and no mirror is vacant. Doors are shut cuz women are busy inside. Sisters helping each other with makeup while daddy is banging on door to let him in. TV is on and loud with Kolkatta news running about the best pandals and murti in West Bengal; my pet dog is wagging and running in frenzy with the commotion in the house.
9pm:
Sarees are well pleated, shirts are tucked in, the house door is locked and empty never looking back at time we are sitting in the center of park amidst the buzzing flies and bright lights. Watching the Anjali and aroti we never felt tired standing on heels. Adoring the kohl in Durga's eyes till the border on her saree we come each day and night to see her.
With plethora of food stalls we are never famished only running out of pocket money. While sisters are busy giggling about new boys in town parents have new gossips from the neighbors and sassy aunts.
The nights always seem short and everybody have same prayer if the moon stands still and the clock doesn't tick so fast.
Sarees are well pleated, shirts are tucked in, the house door is locked and empty never looking back at time we are sitting in the center of park amidst the buzzing flies and bright lights. Watching the Anjali and aroti we never felt tired standing on heels. Adoring the kohl in Durga's eyes till the border on her saree we come each day and night to see her.
With plethora of food stalls we are never famished only running out of pocket money. While sisters are busy giggling about new boys in town parents have new gossips from the neighbors and sassy aunts.
The nights always seem short and everybody have same prayer if the moon stands still and the clock doesn't tick so fast.
Shubo Bijoya;
Last day is here and as i behold goddess Durga from so close with my mother and other ladies busy with sindoor khela, i see a different form. Is Durga's eyes welled with tear, why is there a sad curve on her corner lips? And how do i make myself believe this is over.
We sisters try to relieve ourselves with aschey bochor aabar hobey our mothers know well how to make us cope with post puja fever.
Three rickshaws booked in late evening with all of us hopping on trying to fit in it, we reach Sangam. A moment pleasure to see all the idols from across our vicinty at one place. Oh! what more joy is there in the world to see so many Durgas getting immersed in holy water and bidding farewell.
With laughter and endless talks the sun is almost down. The view becomes faint and the pain still lingers as the darkness dwell upon us.
Three rickshaws booked in late evening with all of us hopping on trying to fit in it, we reach Sangam. A moment pleasure to see all the idols from across our vicinty at one place. Oh! what more joy is there in the world to see so many Durgas getting immersed in holy water and bidding farewell.
With laughter and endless talks the sun is almost down. The view becomes faint and the pain still lingers as the darkness dwell upon us.
Here our fathers play their role. On our way return we stop at Shanti sweets house and dig up mishti doi and sandesh to savour the trauma with sweetness. But before we really can chomp on the delicacies back at home we are reminded to be good girls,"go and touch every elders feet and take their blessings."
The best of our times we have spend together is under one roof. Hope the love prevails and one such Durga puja awaits ahead; where the royal bhog will be served from our kitchen and i shall be fortunate to touch each member's feet again.
Aamar pronam niyo tomra shobai.
Aamar pronam niyo tomra shobai.
Love to;
Detumuni,
Mamuni,
Kakima,
Kakamuni,
Mummy,
Daddy.
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