This year Kolkata, the heart of Durga puja will witness a unique way of celebration because of the pandemic. 2020 is a unique year. Not just because of coronavirus that has killed thousands and changed the way of normalcy, but also because this year, there is a 35 days gap between Mahalaya (17 September) and Durga puja. Usually is the gap between the two days on almanac is no more than 7 days.
Mahalaya marks the end of Shraadh or Pitr-Pakshya and beginning of Devi Pakshya. The day of transition is known as the Mahalaya. This peculiarity has happened because of an occurrence of a phenomena called ‘mal mash’ – a lunar month that has two new moons (Amavasya).
Keeping Covid rules alive, many traditional families who do Durga puja will not allow visitors in Kolkata this year.
In the UK, there are usually around 60 Durga pujas. While some of them organise their pujas and rituals according to the almanac, others organise them around the weekend, so that more people can attend and celebrate with their families.
Sourcing idols from Kumortuli (an area in Kolkata famous for making idols) to food to cultural activities to ‘kumari puja’, Durga pujas across the UK and Europe are in no way less than the festivities in Kolkata now. It transcends all barriers, creating a home away from home, for the 'nostalgic' Bengalis.
But this year, even UK durga puja organisers do not how they would go forward organising the event, some taking recourse to virtual pushpanjali.
Puja of many firsts
Sourav Niyogi told Asian Voice, “London Sharad Utsav is working closely with the authorities to see how we can organise the Durga Puja. The most important element in our heads is safety for all our members and anyone who visits our puja.
“We are also closely looking at all the government guidelines and we will finalise the plan based on the latest advice from the government. In parallel we are planning the celebrations to be organised digitally, just in case it is not possible to organise a physical event.
“This year we are also celebrating the birth centenary of Satyajit Ray - widely considered India’s best ever filmmaker, writer and also an illustrator.
“Our Pujo is themed as ‘A Ray of Hope’ - both as a tribute to Satyajit Ray and also an anticipation looking to an end to the pandemic. In the lead up to Pujo we will discuss the posters of the Ray films and during the Pujo we will watch some of his most celebrated films together.
“The members are all rehearsing their cultural performances - instrumental, vocals, elocutions and dances - at home and will digitally record them to be packaged together in 3 evening shows. The next generation kids of LSU are paying their respect to the frontline key workers through their performances - one of the most anticipated performances.
“The technology team is exploring the option of Virtual Reality if a physical puja is not possible on safety grounds. This will definitely be a first for London Sharad Utsav.”
Arpita Ray from Essex Indians told the newspaper, “We are hoping to celebrate Durga puja virtually maintaining government guidelines and streaming it online for members and community.”
Adda Slough in a facebook post said, “Amid the Covid-19 situation, most of us won't be able to celebrate Durga Puja in its full spirit. But don’t we all deserve a good Puja and a Bijoya (Dussehra)? Adda organises Grand Bijoya Virtual Concert 2020 by Chandrabindoo for you to rejoice and listen to your favourite number(s) from numero uno Bengali band. Along with your favourite numbers, you can't miss the witty conversation with Chandrabindoo members. It will be a live interactive programme without any recording! It will be broadcast live world-wide at 2:30 pm GMT, 3:30 pm CET and 8:00 pm IST on Sunday 1 November.”
UKBC 2020
53 Bengali community organisations celebrated their beloved culture at the United Kingdom Bengali Convention (UKBC) 2020 as a virtual curtain raiser to kickstart the Durga puja festivities.
Established performers across the UK, Ireland and Iceland joined and decided together to host UKBC virtually on 19 and 20 September. The whole planning and processing happened virtually using social media.
The mega event showcased variety of cultural programmes involving celebrities and talents. It also gave a voice to people across generations and experts from different walks of life – all celebrating ‘being Bengali’.
It included panel discussions on achievements of the community in fields of Science, Engineering, Tourism, Politics, Religion, Art and Culture, Food, Business, Cinema and many more.
There were also discussions on Bengalis’ love for adda and debate.
Arjuna Award recipient and retired badminton player Dipu Ghosh joined the discussion to inspire younger generations to take up sports.
