Its that time of the year again when Calcutta turns into a week long carnival. Everywhere you look, there's bright lights, beautiful decorations and grand Idols. It is the the time of blocked roads, one way streets, traffic jams and bustling crowds, all impatiently moving towards the next pandal. It is also the time of meeting old friends, savouring the festive spirit and enjoying the city during the best time of the year.
The pandals start springing up all over the city from a month before the event. They vary in size, from the tiny to the fort-like, in decorations, from the simple to the opulent, and in management, from the tidy to the chaotic. People throng the streets to get a glimpse of the Idols which are the temporary residents of these pandals. I'm sure that if you look at Calcutta from the sky at this time of the year, say from maybe a helicopter, the people would like millions of tiny ants moving about. There seem to be no end to the number of people standing in the queue to get into the next fancy pandal. And its not just Calcuttans who descend on to the streets. People visit Calcutta from the neighbouring districts as well as from far off places, to experience the 'magic' of the Pujas.
When I was younger, pujo was the only time curfews would be extended, more cold drinks and ice cream would be consumed than the entire year, and rules could be bent without worrying about the repurcusions. As I started growing up, I started to explore the city beyond the security of the locality, with the safe company of my friends. Recently, it had become the ultimate hangout week for all of us. There were certain favourite hangout spots which we would never going to. Last year though, all these places seemed to have lost their sheen. They seemed strangely empty, inspite of the fact that we were all present! Not that we didn't have a good time. But the magic seemed to be lost somewhere, as far as these spots were concerned :-(.
For me personally, this year will be different. Till last year, most of my friends were in Calcutta, or they would make it a point to be in the city during this time. We were all in college and it wasn't a big deal getting a leave for 4-5 days. This year however, many of them have started working, so have I, and won't be able to make it this week. So even though there is that childish excitement inside, their absence does dampen the mood. In fact, we are having trouble making plans because the work schedule seems to be always coming in between! But I'm sure that this problem would be solved. Just yesterday my office increased the number of off-days from two to three for the Pujas. That was a relief. An extra day to catch up with my friends. And yes, we have made plans, starting today. Tomorrow is a Sunday and that helps. Hoping to have a memorable Pujo.
Not without reason has this festival been called the 'Carnival of the East', mirroring the huge celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil every year. Yes, it is a carnival. Yes, this is the best time of the year. And yes, I do plan to have a great time.
HAPPY PUJO everyone. Hope to catch up with you soon.
The pandals start springing up all over the city from a month before the event. They vary in size, from the tiny to the fort-like, in decorations, from the simple to the opulent, and in management, from the tidy to the chaotic. People throng the streets to get a glimpse of the Idols which are the temporary residents of these pandals. I'm sure that if you look at Calcutta from the sky at this time of the year, say from maybe a helicopter, the people would like millions of tiny ants moving about. There seem to be no end to the number of people standing in the queue to get into the next fancy pandal. And its not just Calcuttans who descend on to the streets. People visit Calcutta from the neighbouring districts as well as from far off places, to experience the 'magic' of the Pujas.
When I was younger, pujo was the only time curfews would be extended, more cold drinks and ice cream would be consumed than the entire year, and rules could be bent without worrying about the repurcusions. As I started growing up, I started to explore the city beyond the security of the locality, with the safe company of my friends. Recently, it had become the ultimate hangout week for all of us. There were certain favourite hangout spots which we would never going to. Last year though, all these places seemed to have lost their sheen. They seemed strangely empty, inspite of the fact that we were all present! Not that we didn't have a good time. But the magic seemed to be lost somewhere, as far as these spots were concerned :-(.
For me personally, this year will be different. Till last year, most of my friends were in Calcutta, or they would make it a point to be in the city during this time. We were all in college and it wasn't a big deal getting a leave for 4-5 days. This year however, many of them have started working, so have I, and won't be able to make it this week. So even though there is that childish excitement inside, their absence does dampen the mood. In fact, we are having trouble making plans because the work schedule seems to be always coming in between! But I'm sure that this problem would be solved. Just yesterday my office increased the number of off-days from two to three for the Pujas. That was a relief. An extra day to catch up with my friends. And yes, we have made plans, starting today. Tomorrow is a Sunday and that helps. Hoping to have a memorable Pujo.
Not without reason has this festival been called the 'Carnival of the East', mirroring the huge celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil every year. Yes, it is a carnival. Yes, this is the best time of the year. And yes, I do plan to have a great time.
HAPPY PUJO everyone. Hope to catch up with you soon.
 |
| The Divine |
No comments:
Post a Comment