It’s that time of the year again when the city decks up to welcome Maa Durga. A festival deeply rooted in Bengal’s cultural tapestry has now evolved into a fanfare for people cutting across geographical boundaries. Pandals of Bengaluru have become a testament to the intricate craftsmanship of Bengal artisans combined with traditional rituals, making Durga Puja a blend of faith, community, and creativity.
With the growing number of Bengalis living in Bengaluru now, the city has a hundred-plus registered Durga Puja pandals.
A file photo of last year’s Durga Puja of BARSHA. | Photo Credit: BARSHA
The Bengali Association for the Residents of Sarjapur and HSR-layout Area (BARSHA) started its journey in 2016. There was just a small puja then. Now in its eighth year, it organises one of the biggest pujas in the city. BARSHA’s theme this year is “Greek Elegance”, on which local and Kolkata artists have worked together.
“The work of our idol started six months back in Kolkata. The saaj (ornamentation) of Maa Durga is being handcrafted by the descendants of the artisans from Krishnanagar in West Bengal, who are famous as the best idol makers for generations. The pandal is also a testament to the craftsmanship of Karnataka’s own artisans,” said Priyanka Sinha Roy, media and publicity head for BARSHA.
R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti is set to celebrate the 17th year of their puja in Princess Green, Gate 9 of Palace Grounds, with the theme Melbandhaner Anginay’,which translates to an amalgamation of different cultures coming together.
“This year, the face of Devi is detailed by the artisans of Kumartuli, Kolkata. Artists and technicians from Chandan Nagar, West Bengal, will embellish this creation with lights,” says Sanjay Bhattacharjee, chief secretary of R.T. Nagar Puja.
Bengali in Bangalore (BinB), which will organise its 13th edition of Durga Puja this year at Kalyani Kala Mandir, started as an online community and now has a strong base of members. A BinB spokesperson told The Hindu, “Over the years, we have an active participation of people from other non-Bengali communities, cutting across cultural barrier.”
A file photo of last year’s celebration at East Bengaluru Cultural Association. | Photo Credit: EBCA
The East Bengaluru Cultural Association (EBCA), which is set to organise this year’s Durga Puja at Sumadhura Banquet Hall, Kannamangala, Whitefield, is a community of like-minded people from various States, which started their journey in 2018.
Sumanta Paul, founder member of EBCA, told The Hindu, “Our focus always is to promote local craftsmanship. Last year, we promoted Channapatna toys that have been facing tough competition from Chinese toys. This year our theme is Chandrayan - 3, and we are also trying to promote Kairali Handlooms.”
Ektara Socio Cultural Organisation will be organising their Puja at Kengri and have set the theme around Somnath Temple of Gujarat. Ankur Sarkar managing trustee of the organisation told The Hindu, “A lot of people from rural Bengal come to Bangalore for employment and to showcase their art. Most of the artisans working on the pandal with us are from Bengal. The ornaments for the saaj to the materials used in the pandal are all made in different parts of Bengal and assembled here in Bengaluru.”
UTSAV Durga Puja that is set to celebrate its 12th year beside Vijaya Bank layout behind IIM Bangalore in Bannerghatta Road, is known for its homely ambience and warmth of their organisers. Kinshuk Roy one of the founder members of UTSAV spoke to the The Hindu, “UTSAV is an all embracing confluence of culrural heritage, tradition and confluence of people belonging to diverse communities. In our puja we give more importance to bonding with the people rather than the pomp and grandeur.”
Music of Bengal
Most of the organisers are also bringing in artists from Bengal. Cactus, a famous rock band from Kolkata, is set to perform on October 20 (Maha Sashti) for BinB.
“This year, we are bringing Joler Gaan, a famous folk band from Bangladesh, on Nabami (October 23); and we are trying to bring Epar Bangla Opar Bangla (West Bengal and East Bengal),” said Sanjay from R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti.
Legendary Anjan Dutt and his band have etched their melodies for several generations with songs like ‘Bela Bose’ to ‘Darjeeling’, and they will perform for BARSHA on Navami night. Fakira Band will be doing a live music performance on October 21, Saptami.
More the merrier
Rohan Roy, a Software Development Engineer who has lived in Bengaluru for more than five years now, said, “It is very difficult to get leave during Durga Puja. For me, now Bengaluru Puja feels like home, from pujor bhoog to ashtamir anjali it’s the taste of Bengal. The best thing is that it is not just the Bengalis but different communities coming together here,” he added.
