41 Deblane and it’s Durga Puja Through My Eyes
In a megacity like Kolkata, it is quite difficult to find big landowners house. However on CIT Road, I am very fortunate to have my own uncle’s house.. It has been a custom that every Durga Puja, when Maa Durga comes in this house of 41 Deblane all of our family members come together. It acts as a thread which binds all of us together. From my elders, I have heard that there were 9 brothers and 3 sisters who resided together in this enormous house. Believe me or not, you readers, the house has 24 rooms in total and 9 bathrooms. This house is now marked as a Heritage(Grade 1) because my honourable Greatgrandfather, Haridas Sidhanta Bagish received one of the most prestigious awards Padma Bhusan in the year of 1962 along with Kaji Nazrul Islam. My great grandfather had translated the holy book of Mahabharata into 148 khandas.Durga Puja is being celebrated in this house for many long years (approximately 65 years) and it has been a tradition.
It had been a popular saying that “Aagepujar somay uthone darabar jayga hoto na”
(At former times, there was hardly any space to stand in the chandimandab).
Since I was born on 2008, my parents have tried their level best to take me to Deblane every year. And now when I am passing through my adolescene, as everyone does, I can really feel somehow there is an inseparable connection with this house. Anybody who have once visited this house will feel that somehow there is a longing to come to this house. Everytime whenever I have got the golden opportunity to visit this house, I have tried to enjoy myself to the fullest. The environment inside this house with so many people of all ages, the beating of the dilapidated drum, the muttering of all the matras, the newcomers, the neighbours eagerly peeping over their balconies to get a glimpse of the grand durga puja being celebrated is really breathtaking. Every year my elder sisters, their colleagues, dear friends dance together on the rhythm of the beating of the drum(dhak in Bengali).
My friends, who are merely 16 or 17 years of age insist me to join them for pandal hopping and hangouts. But somehow, till date, I am unable to go with them because I feel that there is an inseparbale bond that has developed between me and Deblane. I enjoy the environment of this house, the family members and all the minute things too.. Every year all the family members, friends, relatives etc fome together and sit beside each other in the cemented rock of the house and play Antakshari (Gaaner Lorai) or a Singing Competition. All the evergreen songs of Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Hemanta Kumar, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan are sung and reminisced.
Now, speaking of the family members, there are quite a few people who reside in this house like Bappa Dadai, Tumpa Mashi, Tapu Mama etc. However the joint family which once consisted of 9 brothers and 3 sisters has neared its end. As years passed, the number has dwindled to only 4 brothers and 1 dear sister. Bappa Dadai, about whom I mentioned just now is really an interesting character. He is now 64 years of age but it seems that age is just merely an insignificant number to him. He looks really young and is a renowned writer. He has now retired from his professional life(Of being the Principal of a renowned school) and spends most of his time indulging himself in some work or the other. So, you all, can rather consider him as a workaholic. Besides all these, he is a character with high moral values and is always ready to help anybody who is needy of it – be it small children or aged people.
My pishi dida, is another personality who has to be mentioned. She is really an admirable lady who started working as a hostel warden after the age of 60, when most of the people finish their professional life and focus on their personal talents. She is tremendously brave and is always ready to face the strangest of odds!
The Durga Puja is celebrated grandly every year in Deblane.. In fact many a times the elders say that “Maa jeno ashte chaichen; tai shob kaaj thik thak bhabe hoye jacche”( Devi Durga herself wants to come to this house and this is why all the arrangements are being completed in proper manner). This Puja strengthens the family ties and relations and helps everyone to forget all the sorrow and interpersonal grievances. My elder sisters, their friends, colleagues, my parents play UNO – a card game and enjoy ourselves. One of my uncles – Dinka Mama is a very good drum beater. All of us eagerly wait for his arrival in Deblane as we want to hear the beating of drum or rather dhak by him. All of us join hands together and dance in the chandimandab when Dinka Mama beats the drum in a very special rhythm. Personally, I, try to cherish every moment in Deblane. My mother and grandmother narrated the way in which Durga Puja was celebrated earlier and I fondly listen to them and try to visualise. So many members of the same family, the unity between the brothers and the sisters, the old people who dictated the rules of the Puja and many more – All of these become crystal clear whenever I try to Visualise all those previous times. However, till date, Durga Puja is being celebrated very grandly and hope it continues as long as possible. I and all the ones who are even younger than me also try to take the minimum responsibilities and try to cooperate with others.
Lastly, the only thing I want to tell is that I wish Durga Puja continues as long as possible in Deblane and this tradition gets passed hereditarily.
In addition to this, I also want to tell that “Asche bochor abar hobe; Bochor bochor egiye jabe”
(Next year, again Durga Puja will be celebrated and hope this continues for many long years !!!)
