Jostling among “Insane Crowds”, “Craning Necks” and “Standing on Toes” to get a glimpse of the “Protima”, standing in a mile long line to get “Bhog” or give “Pushpanjali”, repeat the similar feat at the food stalls and then trying to beat the dreaded traffic to reach home and put up the much pressurized feet. For an average person this is the usual fare during “Puja”. Whether it is “Kallol” in “Markin Jukto Rashtro” (USA) or “Bengali Association” in Bangalore the story is all the same. But then though this might seem quite strenuous for once (even complaining) the “Bongs”, get on with it.
My own story is a bit different, call me a Organizer (got a badge with the tag this time) or a glorified “Coolie” (people might mistake me for one if I was seen during the Puja) I am a but a few you voluntarily try to see that the huge crowds coming in do have a good time. Pretty stupid aint I ?? I myself don’t feel the same for the days Puja is on but the thought creeps in after it is over and I am left with a hurting back and stressed out muscles.
Puja though is worshipping the Devi it is nothing without the food on offer for the 4 days. The Devi too takes a backseat and the “Pushpanjali” too is given to allow oneself the chance to attack the “Khichudi Bhog” on offer. “Anandamela” began early this time to give space to “Nachiketa”. My aunts “Kebabs” were over faster than India’s decline from the top ODI spot and I ventured to sample the food around. “Anandamela” was started by the association aunties to put a delicious array of homemade “Bengali Cuisine” , sadly I guess the intentions have been washed away over the years as I found a few stalls selling Sandwiches even Soup. There were 56 stalls this time around but then most of them sold the very un appetizing and tasteless beet root cutlet (I was forced to eat one), many sold “Mangsher Ghoogni” without any “maangsho”. A quick dash to the food stall saved me from further trouble and after some crisp succulent rolls from “Nizams” the pujo feeling was getting on.
“Shasti” was wet very wet and the governor “Slipped Away” from the event. But then with the food stalls running in full steam there was little time to comment on his “Excellencies” absence. I tried my luck at the stall selling “Moglai Paratha” but one glance at the waiting queue drove me away to the “Biryani” stall. The discovery of this year’s Puja was the “Biryani” and “Chiken Chaap”at “Nizaams”. Though we are a by choice “Lazeez” customer over the years their “Biryani” has turned into “Boiled Rice with Canine Meat”. The “Biryani” was quite surprisingly very “Calcuttan”. Greasy along with a whole boiled “Aaloo” (Potato), “Dim” (Egg). I was armed with my SLR camera however, by that time I had dug into my plate with my hands and so there is no pictorial proof of the same. The “Chaap” too consisted of huge pieces of chicken breasts cooked right through after the curd and the spices had done its flavoring bit. Add to that 2 parathas and all the frustration of being made to have long wait was washed away. “Biryani” and “Chaap” done it is time for some “Toofani Chumuk” and as I made my way to the nearest cold drink stall I noticed a sign in a stall named “Mummy’s Kitchen”, it read “Cornflakes Available for Breakfast”. Bemused I passed the “Babumoshai” stall their kitchen shouting out “kal theke Jal khabare Luchi Mangsho” (Puri and Mutton available for breakfast from the next day).
I retired early that day bearing in mind the 3 tiring days up ahead. Being a part of the “Poribeshon Committee” is not a joke. Armed with a bunch of kids (average age 10) we serve “Khichudi Bhog” from “Saptami to Nabomi”. A promise of an “Ice Cream” along with “Chocolates” at the end the “kid brigade” hold fort for 4 hours. As they serve we stand aside and admire as the next generation stands to take our place. After all it is a “Sarbojonin” Puja, involvement is a must. Since the whole Puja fell during the weekends we got huge crowds thus I a few of us had to skip the “Khicudi” but then a managed to have atleast 50 “rasgullas” and 2 litres of chaler payesh (a rice & milk concoction). (Thinking of commenting on my sweet tooth – well then save your breath I am a Bong).
“Ashtami” we had decided to have some more of the “Biryani” and “Chaap” along with some “Aam Porar Shorbot” (Burnt Mango Shorbet) from “Bay of Bengal”. The almost burnt “Kadai” in front of the stall was serving “Fish and Mutton Kobiraji” but again the long wait played a spoilsport. But then the “Chaap” took away any kind of negative feelings and after sampling a huge “Paan” I made way to the “Trinoyoni” show. Nothing much to report from that apart from the weird dance moves by 200 lb “Boudi’s” to the ever popular “Baranday Roddur”. I clicked a few photos and then retreated to the main pandal with my bottle of “Toofani Chumuk” and let quite a few satisfied “Dhekurs” (Burps).
“Nobomi” was very tiring especially after trying to organize the “Dhunuchi Competition” after “Poribeshon” got over. Had to literally drag myself back home and collapsed. “Bishorjon” was missed trying to catch up with the missed sleep (got up at 2 30) but then did not have much regret.
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