Pujo by the Palm

In no way like Calcutta, but Pujo was always a big deal even for children in Muscat. We had new clothes for each of the five main days.  The Indian Social Club, Bengali Wing would organise for an assortment of traditional and well, not-so traditional activities.  Recitations, cooking competitions, music and dance, theater style performance by children and adults. Over the years, it evolved into fancy dress competitions, fashion shows and things … Continue reading “Pujo by the Palm”

Almost Pujo

Today is Mahalaya. The invoking of life in the idol of Goddess Durga. The beginning of what will be an entire week, followed by a hangover of a month of festivities. Today is the  one day when almost everyone is awake at the break of dawn. Probably the only day when the people of Bengal tune into AIR to listen to Mahisashur Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra and quietly hum … Continue reading “Almost Pujo”