Ritual to herald Durga Puja countdown

It was a sanctimonious ritual marking the initiation of Bengali’s most loved and anticipated festivity, Sharod Utsav.

Noted Manipuri Danseuse Priti Patel along with Tollywood actresses Nusrat Jahan and June Maliah offered their prayers at the ceremony organized at Bandhusree Club of Behala.

Talking about the most debated topic of recent time, ie, traditional versus theme based pujas, June said: “Both types of Pujas are different in their own ways. Puja has now become an industry. Many people are becoming employed due to this. It is providing financial securities to many families.”

Sharing her Puja plans this year, June said: “This year I got an offer to visit Delhi during the Pujas. But I rejected it, as it really difficult for me to stay outside Kolkata during the Pujas.”

“For me Puja means visiting our friends and relatives and having never-ending ‘Adda’ (chat) sessions," she said.

She also revealed that her childhood Puja memories were different and she misses those good old days.

When the actress was asked about her Puja shopping, she said it starts from a week before the festival.

Sharing her Puja plans, Nusrat said: “I love to spend the Puja in Kolkata. This year also I am going to do the same thing. I love pandal hopping. For me Durga Puja means nothing but fun.”

The actress said she prefers to wear traditional dresses during the four days of the festival.

Art designer of Bandhusree Club Bhabotosh Sutar said: “We have taken cue from popular rickshaws of Bangladesh and the pandal will be in shape of this vehicle.”


(Reporting by Shreejata Niyogi)