Stepping away from the flashy trappings of festivals, what truly matters is how they deepen our bonds with family and friends during these cherished moments of joy. Any celebration feels incomplete without loved ones around. Embracing this spirit, the P.C. Sorcar family — P. C. Sorcar Junior, his wife Joysri, and their daughters Maneka, Mumtaz, and Moubani — decked up glam in vibrant outfits by designer Chandri Mukherjee, teamed with complementing jewellery from Senco Gold and Diamonds, for a t2 exclusive Mahalaya photoshoot. With Mahalaya signifying the start of the festive season and the energy already buzzing in the City of Joy, this family of magicians, actors, and artists joined us for a delightful Puja adda too, after the shoot. The album and excerpts from the adda at Polo Floatel Kolkata:
Who in the family gets the most excited about Puja?
Maneka: I’d say it’s definitely my mother.
Mumtaz: I might be the youngest in our family, but that’s just by age. The true youngest is Joysri Sorcar! (Everyone laughs)
Moubani: She really starts the spark of curiosity about Puja every year among us.
Joysri: It’s not just me… everyone joins in! From shopping to all the various activities, we’re all in.
Maneka: Mom is always shopping throughout the year. Baba often jokes that whatever money I earn through my magic performances around the world, Joysri makes it vanish.
P.C. Sorcar Junior: I have to admit, she’s a better magician than I am!
Is there a Mahalaya ritual observed in your family?
Moubani: We have a deep connection to Maa Durga. Our family story really begins with Mahalaya. Ma and baba first met on Ashtami. For us, Mahalaya marks the start of the festivities. Interestingly, Maneka was born on Mahalaya, which gives us two birthdays to celebrate — one today (September 15, Mumtaz’s birthday) and another on September 20 (Maneka’s birthday). The year she (Maneka) was born, it was Mahalaya. It holds a special significance for us, intertwined with both emotion and meaning. And Devi Durga embodies something incredibly precious to us. Her blessings are hard to put into words.
Maneka: In Hindu mythology, Mahalaya is known as pitru tarpan day, which happens just before the festival. It’s a time when we honour our ancestors. Remarkably, I was born on that very day, so we keep the magical family tradition alive — my grandfather, dadu Samrat (P. C. Sorcar), was the seventh, my father the eighth, and I’m the ninth in this lineage.
It feels like we’re paying homage to all those ancestors who paved the way for us. While it’s now our responsibility to carry it forward, we deeply feel their presence and blessings during this time. It beautifully marks the transition from pitru paksha to devi paksha.
Moubani: And we have this wonderful tradition of listening to the radio.
Mumtaz: It’s actually Moubani who takes charge. She ensures everyone is awake to tune in. It’s that moment to switch on the radio, just like the old times.
Moubani: You wouldn’t believe where the radio is situated — it’s in my parents’ jacuzzi! (Everyone laughs)
Maneka: We crank it up as loud as it can go so the sound fills the entire house... (laughs)
P.C. Sorcar: And at that moment, I offer my prayers to God.
Could you share some fond memories of Puja from your childhood?
Joysri: Their (her daughters) childhood was my childhood too! (Everyone laughs)
Maneka: She was a young adult back then. Without that chapter unfolding, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Moubani: She’s (Joysri) truly a marvel. There’s so much we can learn from her. Every moment with her teaches us something profound. It’s amazing how from that one little woman, three daughters emerged! (Laughs)
What is Puja fashion in the house like?
Maneka: Well, we’re wearing it right now! It’s mostly traditional.
Mumtaz: And don’t forget the gold! Today we’re all decked out in Senco, but honestly, we all adore gold. As Bengali women, I feel gold is part of our identity. We can’t imagine Puja without it. And Joysri Sorcar has been a real gold enthusiast. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but gold definitely has our hearts here, all thanks to Joysri Sorcar! (laughs)
Moubani: Mom has an incredible eye for style. She knows exactly how each of us should dress. Whether it’s a sari or something a bit different for Navami — though we usually prefer comfort since we have a big feast that day — she always knows what suits us best. I think that love for fashion runs in our family.
Mumtaz: She’ll pick out something lovely, and Baba? He tends to be lost in work, with little time for shopping. We are all spoiled by maa, but he’s there like a pillar behind us. For every special occasion, maa wears something new and tells him, ‘You got me this!’ (Laughs)
What does P.C. Sorcar Junior look forward to most during the festive days amidst this shopping, fashion and love for gold of all the women around him?
P.C. Sorcar: To keep dancing!
Maneka: For Baba, it’s really about the togetherness. We’re often caught up in our busy lives, so those moments when we come together during Puja are truly precious. It’s special, even if we’re not decked up or heading out — just spending time together over some tea and shingara is what really makes it memorable for him.
Jewellery: Senco Gold and Diamonds
Hair and make-up: Nooralam Babai
Location: Polo Floatel Kolkata