Durga Puja is the most awaited festival of West Bengal, spanning over four days at a stretch. It is not possible for everyone in the community to organize it of their own. A Durga Puja is organized by a group of people in a locality thence being known as Sarbojanin Durga Puja.
Initially,
Durga Puja was celebrated only in affluent and zamindar families of West Bengal. Then Barowari Puja came into existence. The
word "Baroyari" is derived from "Baro" and "Yaar"
ie. a group of twelve friends. Guptipara in Hoogly was the first place in Bengal where the idea of "Baroyari" or
"Sarbojanin" puja was conceived in the year 1790. It took 120 yrs.
for "Baroyari" Durga Puja to reach Calcutta. The first organiser of
"Baroyari" Durga Puja in Calcutta
was "Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha" of Behala, Shakher Bazar. The overwhelming
enthusiasm and participation of common people increased the number of
"Baroyari" Durga Puja through out the state.
With lapse of time, the
Barowari Puja was renowned as Sarbojanin Durga Puja. The word Sarbojanin
comprises of two words: “Sarbo” in Bengali (Sanskrit) meaning “for all” and “Jan”
meaning “people”. So the word Sarbojanin means For All People. The Sarbojanin
Puja understands no restrictions in respect of Colour, Creed, Caste or Class.
The “Bhog” distributed after Puja is taken as a blessing of Goddess Durga with
equality and compassion.
During
Durga Puja, entire streets of West Bengal are
covered by Huge Structures called “Pandal”. It is a structure made of bamboos
and cloth, used as a temporary enclave for the Goddess. Each Pandal has its own
theme based on current affairs, historic events, work of fiction, work of Art
or of any other innovative ideas. These Pujas are organized by committee which
represents certain group of people or locality. The expense of the Puja is
raised by collecting funds known as “Chandaa” through door-to-door visit,
concert, advertisements etc.
On the time of Puja, the Ritual drummers – “Dhakis” carrying large leather-strung Dhak – show off their skills during ritual dance worships called Aarati. The Puja is performed traditionally in these Pandals. Many idols in Pandals are bought from Kumartoli, were the artisans live situated in North Calcutta.
Sarbojanin Durgotsav, as we know it today, started
off much later in Kolkata, in the 1920s, with Shimla Byayam Samiti and Bagbazar
being the earliest. In 1926, Atindranath Bose commenced
‘Sarbojanin’ Durga puja in which anybody, irrespective of caste, creed and
religion, could participate in the festivities. This was organized to instill a
feeling of unity and brotherhood. At present hundreds of Pujas are held in the city’s
lanes and streets.
The
puja in recent years are more focused on lighting and decoration. They spend
Lakhs of money to make their Pandals an Award-winning one. The communities have
different prizes for different categories such as Best Puja, Best Idol, Best
Pandal, Best Lighting etc.
This form of Puja is also flourished in other states and countries of the world.
The twentieth century witnessed the emergence of the publicly organised or community Durga Puja. The first barowari Durga Puja was organised in Kolkata by Bhowanipore Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha in 1910 at Balaram Basu Ghat Road, Bhowanipore.“The puja may have receded from the spotlight but it never stopped, not even during the famine of 1943,” says Anil Mukherjee, the 83-year-old puja committee president whose grandfather Khagendranath Sashtri, a Gita scholar, was one of the founders. the area was home to author Premendra Mitra, mathematics teacher Keshab Chandra Nag and Justice Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who were all involved with the puja. The souvenirs still carry a list of the office-bearers since 1910.
ReplyDeleteThe idol is now made on the thakur dalan facing the twin Shiva temples that date back to the time Balaram Bose constructed the ghat. “The place used to be a crematorium with even a satidaha taking place there in 1829,” says Jyoti Chatterjee, a resident.
The city’s first barowari puja had its share of entertainment, too. “We have seen jatra, Kali kirtan and Chandigaan. Shehnai masters have performed here,” recalls Mukherjee.
While the theatrical performances have ceased, shehnai recitals continue. Also thriving is the tradition of giving clothes to the poor.
please correct the data shimla bayam samity is not the first community durga puja in kolkata
ReplyDeleteThe puja, which has never courted the spotlight,was started by Khagendranath Shastri, president Geeta Mahasabha and was supported by luminaries like Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, writer Premendra Nath Mitra, mathematics teacher Keshav Chandra Nag and actress Molina Devi over the years. The venue of the puja has a history, having seen a double satidaha in 1829 when it was a burning ghat. A stone plaque commemorating the immolation of Sati and Debi, two daughters of the Mukherjee family that owned the ghat then, now rests at Indian Museum. The Calcutta Municipal Corporation has declared the site a heritage spot.
ReplyDeleteFlanking the ekchala Durga on each side will be the 10 dashamahavidyas, or the 10 forms that Sati took to convince Shiva to let her go on her own to her father Daksha’s yajna. The entry to the ghat will be turned into a makeshift temple and at the exit will be placed the dashavatar, or the 10 incarnations of Vishnu. The puja has a tradition of jatra, kirtan, Chandigaan and shehnai recitals. The centenary schedule includes a musical evening, a football match involving celebrities, an eye camp and a blood donation campaign. During the four days of pujas, the sabha distributes free clothes and garments to the poor and needy thereby humbly attempting to eradicate social inhomogenity. This is special, not only for its presentation, but also for the deep rooted tradition, it has been holding since more than 100 years.