Festivities in trying times | A Different Durga Puja | TicTalkToe
Somebody please pinch me that Durga Puja is not even a week away!
Yes the biggest festival for Bengalis, for which we wait the whole year round with great enthusiasm (ashche bochor abar hobe!) is now celebrated with great pomp and show all over India and even abroad. Mahalaya marks the onset of the festive season for Bengalis. However, this was one of a year where Mahalaya and Vishwakarma Puja was coincidentally on the same day. Then again, this was one of those unusual years where there was a long gap of 35 days between Mahalaya and Shashti that made almost all Bengalis impatient! Add to it, the pandemic that has dampened the true spirit of the Calcuttans!
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its “SOPs on preventive measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 during festivities” stated that no festivity events — religious worship, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions will be allowed in Containment Zones. However, there was so such restriction outside Containment Zones and gatherings with up to 100 people were allowed provided social distancing norms were maintained. In fact now State/UT Governments have been given flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones after 15th October, 2020 which will be subject to certain conditions mentioned in the aforesaid guidelines. State/UT Governments shall issue detailed SOP’s to regulate such gatherings and shall strictly enforce the same. Which means thousands (if not lakhs) will still push their way through the throng to catch a glimpse of the pandals and Maa Durga. I really cannot imagine the plight of the hospitals and their staff who have stood by as true Covid-19 warriors. Several have not met their families for weeks, have not hugged their loved ones, have forgotten what a vacation feels like, have given up on their sleep and have worked tirelessly wearing PPE Kits. I almost choked the day I wore a face shield with a mask. My spectacles were fogged. I cannot imagine what the healthcare industry is going through right now. Millions have lost their loved ones, and all we are looking for is some hope, may be a miracle that would set things right!
By this time of the year, we would be buying VIP passes from BookMyShow that would guarantee a break from the serpentine queue before the pandals and would grant us a short cut entry to the pandals. However, not anymore. Though the passes are still available for 2020, I am not buying them. Neither am I chalking out any plans for any pandal hopping. I would rather wake a little late (though I doubt that, since Durga Puja has a separate excitement), curl up with my bed tea, watch a web series, cook all that my heart wants to (not ordering out anymore), and just soak into the slow life that Covid-19 has brought in. After a bath, I might wear my new sarees, dress up a little (afterall it is Durga Puja), that red bindi, shankha-pola, ornaments, click a few snaps, and then hit back to watching a movie at home. Will meet my friends over video calls. Will read a book that I had always wanted to! I will not take a chance this year and risk my health. I want to keep my loved ones happy and safe. However, I’ve done a lot of online shopping and will be happy to share my haul here for all of you 🙂
Pujoy kotaa jamaa holo? (How many dresses did you buy for Durga Puja?) is every Bengali’s favourite phrase. In fact this feels music to my ears, when I would literally count the number of dresses bought and would assign each day to a different dress. White and red saree for Ashtami’r anjali, a Black gorgeous saree for Nabami Night, taant for Dashamir sindur khelaa, and so on! Given the current situation, I did indulge in a lot of online shopping from various websites and facebook sellers. This in turn keeps the economy running for those who can afford it.
Maa always wanted to embroider a kantha saree. Although she began this with a lot of enthusiasm, she had to abandon the project midway due to health problems. However, a karigar picked this up and completed it. This saree will be my ever precious pujo saree gifted by Maa and I shall treasure it forever!
Ajrakh is very IN these days! Ajrakh silk sarees, blouses, dresses can be seen everywhere. I got myself a cotton ajrakh dress with kantha work over it. Will share a photo as soon as I wear it.
Again mul cottons are also very trending. I received my first mul cotton from Suta gifted by my sister-in-law on Rakhi. It was incredibly soft and easy to drape. The colour is something I had never tried before, and I absolutely loved every bit of it! Also got an indigo mul cotton saree for my mother in law (since she prefers wearing cotton sarees at home).
Ikat prints are again back in fashion! Got myself a Cotton Ikat from Suta and another one from a boutique called Lavanya – The Six Yards Store. Ended up wearing both of them before Durga Pujas and loved every bit of it.
Sourced a red dhakai dress (yes you read that right, a dress made from the traditional dhakai saree fabric) from an online seller on Facebook. But again as luck had it, it is too big for my size. Will have to alter it, and then I can wear it and show it to you all.
Junk jewellery is so much in fashion! So are knotted hairbands. Sourced them from Facebook Online Sellers. A silver replica kaan, a durga bugadi earcuff. My gold plated fish pendant and earrings. My gini earrings and ring. Mangalsutra and bracelet. I’ve shopped a lot of jewellery this year, and am hoping to take turns to wear it all in this festive season.
I also sourced a maroon cotton benarasi from a boutique. But well, couldn’t resist the temptation and ended up draping it. It is lightweight and makes a beautiful drape.
Blouses have not taken a backseat either! But my favourite still remains the aashi takar blouse (or the blouse worth eighty rupees) as we Bengalis popularly call it, available at any local neighborhood shop. These blouses can be paired with any saree and perfectly allow a comfortable fit in the humid weather of Kolkata. Still wondering about them? Well, you better see it for yourself…here the same blouse has been paired with two different mul cottons from Suta.
Again here two different blouses have been paired with the same saree. Versatile right?
I’ll keep my Durga Pujo haul short and sweet, and will not bombard this post with more photographs.
Tough times will pass and hopefully we shall resume pandal hopping again in 2021. Till then, Happy Navratri to all of you who are celebrating. Have a happy and safe festive season ahead, and enjoy the time with your family.
This Blog Post was a part of the #LetsBlogWithPri S2
Do check out Dr. Rahat’s post on Fasting In Diabetes? A Physician’s Advice.
Cindy has an interesting post on THE 5 BEST SHOWER GELS/ BODY WASHES FOR WOMEN
Besh enthusiastic lekha.
Thank you. Sharodiyar shubheccha
Yes the pandemic has white washed all the fun and color from our festivities this year. Nevertheless we can still be grateful for have a safe and healthy Navratri 😊
Absolutely. I am thankful for what I have!
Wow it looks like you are all set for Durga Puja. And your sarees and jewellery are on par. Have a lovely festival with family and enjoy yourself but stay safe too.
Absolutely! Thank you so much Cindy and festive greetings to you as well.
It’s better to be safe! I still like your festive spirit and can imagine the excitement with the post.
Yayyy! Yes Disha, I am a very positive person, and come what may, I always try and remain optimistic about things around me.