NEIGHBOURHOOD

DURGA PUJA 2008


Tring tring – my alarm bell rang. I woke up lazily. I had to get ready for office, so I dragged myself to the restroom and sprinkled some cold water on my face. It was spring in Johannesburg and autumn in Kolkata. I was missing autumn badly.


Autumn - the season of ‘Siuli’ a typical flower that spreads its aroma to announce the arrival of Durga Puja. Kolkata streets must be logged with bamboos and other decorative items by now. I was packing my bag for the Capetown trip. Suddenly, my ipod fell off my bag. My first Apple gadget bought in 2008. 2008 – the year when I was in love once again.


The Gupta’s celebrated Durga puja is a grand fashion. Our involvement in the festivity would begin from the day we brought the idol from Kumortuli to their house. Mrs. Gupta, my mom and Antara aunty would devote their day in making sweets for the deity for the upcoming festival. I was in charge of the food for the four days of festival. I knew that the third and the fourth day would be hectic as a lot of invitees would turn up on the third and the fourth day.


Catering was a passion of mine and I enjoyed every bit of it. I was fond of crafts and painting too. In order to make the shamiana more appealing, I decided to decorate it with my paintings and paper crafts. I needed a helping hand and it was overwhelming when Kuhu stepped forward to help me. Kuhu brought her team of enthusiastic kids along with her and the entire team was in full swing with me as the conductor of the band. A month before the Puja, I cut short my office hours to spend the evening at Kuhu’s house for the art and crafts. Soon I realized two things – first, I was getting attracted to Kuhu and secondly, I was living the kid in me once again. Days went by and Kuhu and I become close friends without us even realizing it.


“O Maa – this place looks so nice this year” – Mrs. Gupta was happy. So was her daughter-in-law.


“Avik since you are decorating the pandal this year please right the Nirghonto too.” – Mom didi, the daughter-in-law of the Gupta’s said in an affectionate voice.


Nirghonto is the daily Puja routine and I was not familiar in writing so much Bengali in a calligraphic way. But as always the smart thoughts struck me. I accepted the proposal thinking that I could spend some more time with Kuhu in the process of getting the Nirghonto written. Kuhu helped me in finishing the minor touches and the shamiana was one of its kinds on Panchami. The dhakis and the purohits were also amazed when they saw the newly decorated shamiana.


“Avik” – I was in the first day of the puja vacations and in no mood to wake up early. Lazily, I dragged myself towards the verandah to check out who was shouting out my name. Ah! It was Bibhuti, the cook. He has arrived in the venue was will cook for us for all the four days of Puja. I had to do the groceries, monitor him and serve people for the four days. He liked me very much as I took keen interest in his cuisines.


“Come on boy. Why are you sleeping so late? Its already 8am and we need to get the breakfasts ready.”


“Please give me half an hour. I am very tired. You get your groceries from Kakima, I will just take a bath and come. ”


Kuhu and I frequently text’d each other. She had free sms’s and I was happy to spend to reply her. My keypad was soon set to work. ‘Get up dumbo – its time to work’. I brushed my teeth, took a shower and dressed up in my favorite attire – t-shirt and shorts. Whistling, I went off my room and towards the main gate when I heard a cry.


“O Maa, what will happen to this boy when I am gone” – my mothers usual groan.


“What did I do now?” – I was puzzled.


“Can you please be in decent dress before you go out. You look like a ruffian.”


“Maa, look I have to do a lot of work and may even have to climb the bamboo structure to hung things. So this is the most comfortable wear for me. Now please stop groaning.” – I was getting annoyed.


“Seems as if you are hosting the Puja. Do whatever you want to.”


My Puja started in dismay. I could have gone on with the conversation but thought it would be best to walk off from home. I went past Kuhu’s house and peeped in to find out she was still sleeping.


“Disgusting” – I murmured as I went towards the shamiana. The mandap and the shamiana were on the opposite side of the street. I peeked into the mandap and saw that the Shasthi Puja has begun. Mom was late for the Puja and the morning song made me resistant to give her a call. I walked towards Bibhuti and sat in front of him looking at the dough being needed.


“See. You spent your day serving people and starving yourself. I am serving you some hot luchis; have them before the hungry troop flocks in here” – Bibhuti was concerned about my breakfast.


“Leave it. Am fine in the way I conduct proceedings. I am not hungry. Let me know once you are done. I will call everyone for the breakfast.”


I set myself to work. I called Lalu to help me in arranging the table and chairs. We arranged the dining place properly and placed the paper plates in each of the tables. After Bibhuti signaled us, Lalu went inside the mandap to call people for the breakfast. Kuhu’s cousin Apu was the first one to arrive.


Apu was fat, lazy and a meritorious boy. He ate in proportions to his marks in school exams. It was good to serve him as he would eat to his fullest on our request and then gasp for breath.


“Luchi” – Apu shouted out.


I was not an amateur with girls and knew that you reach Kuhu, Apu was the easiest route that I could take.


“Apu” I whispered “there are four luchis per head but I can serve you more if you co operate”


“I need more luchis” – Apu grinned.


“Where’s Kuhu? Is she coming for the breakfast or shall I carry it to her home?”


“Nope, she is coming with jethu. Why?”


“Apu sorry I already served you two extra luchis and can’t serve more. I will make up for it some other time”. I was in no mood to serve him extra.


Kuhu came for the breakfast with her dad. She always wanted her dad by her side just like the Raymonds ad. I wonderer at times if she was grown up enough to be proposed. Shasthi passed by and puja was in full swing in Saptami. I became very busy with the increasing number of diners. I did not notice Kuhu until Asthami evening when Kuhu was clad in saree. She looked beautiful in saree and her mother’s jewellery. I was mesmerized by her looks and in anticipation to that my heart beat faster.


Asthami evening was special for everyone. We gathered in the mandap and swayed our hips to the beats of dhaak. Our parents would also join us and the festival spirit would reach to zenith. The dance began in circle and like a sly and crafty womanizer; I crept and reached near Kuhu to hold her hands.


Dashami was knocking at the door and all of us were sad to call and end to the festival. The final aarti started at around 5pm. Women of the nearby houses gathered to bid farewell to the goddess. After the aarti was over it was time for us to start the final proceedings, the dashami dance. Kuntalda and I preferred to be drunk before the dance began to revitalize ourselves after four day’s of hard work. This year was no exception and we boozed and threw the Hayward’s bottles in the lake before making our way to the mandap. The dance started and soon I realized that I was dancing with Kuhu. My cousin acted smart and got photographs of me dancing with Kuhu. Durga Puja ended but our relationship bloomed. I started messaging her more often and got adequate replies to make me believe she was falling for me too.