A puja committee at Joynagar in Agartala has chosen the Laughing Buddha as the theme for its pandal this year. Picture by UB Photos

Agartala, Oct. 21: Nostalgia keeps him alive and optimism that the good old days will return propels him.

Septuagenarian Surendra Halam casts a loving but wistful look on the tin pandal that the Halams of Jamthum-Thalbari in Kamalpur subdivision have constructed for the worship of Durga and other deities.

?We are only 75 poor families here, but we organise the Puja every year. Every one enjoys these four days,? Surendra Halam said with a melancholic smile.

The melancholy stems not so much from the Halams? present state, but nostalgia over a happier past.

The Halam tribe of Jamthum-Thalbari had once been a compact community in terms of culture and faith.

But ravages of time and exposure to modernity have taken their toll. Barring 75 families, all others in Surendra Halam?s village have embraced Christianity. ?They have left us, but we still invite them to join our celebration,? Surendra Halam said, tears glistening in his eyes.

Despite the dwindling numbers in terms of religious affiliation and funds crunch, the Halams remain steadfast in their attachment to age-old tradition.

?Our former Maharajas were Hindus and worshippers of the mother goddess and so are we. The tradition will remain alive,? said Debjan Halam, president of the Halams? Puja committee.

?We are organising Durga Puja with a budget of only Rs 12,000, collected as donation from our people. The images of deities alone will cost Rs 3,000,? said Ratan Halam, secretary of the puja committee.

Their Puja cannot match the pomp and grandeur of similar celebrations in Kamalpur town, but the pristine spirit of worship is all-pervasive.

A female artisan from Halahali market Dipali Malakar said the rituals are being performed by a non-tribal priest from Kamalpur, Bijay Chakraborty.

Chakraborty had hesitated to accept the Halam?s invitation because the area is close to rebel-infested hills. ?But I had to agree to their sincere requests,? he added.