If residents of New Town’s CD Block were feeling low about having to worship a simple ghot in place of an idol this Durga puja, because of Covid-induced restrictions, their online Vijaya Sammelani tried to revive their spirit.
Ruma Baul began with a Brahmosangeet and Somsuddha Palit recited a self-composed poem titled Muktir Khoje. “This was the first time I saw a ghot puja being performed. But since the camaraderie among neighbours is strong, I never felt the absence of the idol and didn’t feel the urge to go pandal-hopping either,” said the IT professional.
Rita Basu recited Suvo Dasgupta’s poem Ekdin while Patralekha Mukherjee sang Ami Banglay gaan gai, the Pratul Mukhopadhyay composition, and recited a portion of Tagore’s Pujarini. Sukla Dasgupta sang two songs — Mon cheyechhe ami hariye jabo and Aj jibon khuje pabi — and that too over microphone at home. “This is the first time that I used a mic for an online show. Actually I wanted to feel like I was on stage. Nothing can equal that satisfaction,” said the lady who was a graded artiste on All India Radio, Jhargram.
Kabita Sarkar sang two folk numbers and Purba Kar read out an excerpt from Meghnad Badh Kavya, related to the slaying of Ravana and its connection with Dussehra.
After a period of wait because of technical hitches, the organisers could bring in their guest artiste, Aparajita Saha, a disciple of Sipra Basu, who started off her presentation with a bhajan. “Such shows boost our spirit at a time when we are getting bored and depressed staying home,” she said.
The event concluded with a Lata Mangeshkar cover by Swati Bairagi.
The event was co-ordinated and compered by Sithi Kana Ghatak, cultural convenor of the puja. “Despite going minimal with our puja, we encouraged residents, especially the elderly and the children, to perform cultural activities. Later, we compiled and uploaded performances by both age groups separately on YouTube for all to watch. We wasn’t everyone to feel involved,” said the lady who herself recited a section of Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s poem Atmabilap and her own work Debir Kailashgamon.
