Pujo Kemon Katlo?

One of the Idols of Durga

That’s a question, which is on the lips of all Bengalis meeting any other Bengali speaking person on the face of mother earth, for at least couple of weeks after Bijoya Dashami, the last day of the 5 day long Durga Pujo festival. This after the first statement- Shubho Bijoya, a greeting to any person one meets after the Vijay Dashami.



Durga Pujo, is something which has been written about, photographed, debated about, by innumerable people across the globe. But, none of these can really prepare you for the sheer scale of razzmatazz which plays out in the city of Calcutta during this period. You really have to experience it in person to understand what I am talking about. If you have not done it yet, please book your tickets for next year’s pujo NOW!

Sea of People out on the Streets

But, I don’t want to discuss the glitz and lights of the pujos or even the sea of human beings descending upon the streets of Calcutta, all sporting million dollar smiles and new clothes, in that order. I don’t want to discuss the copious amount of food any average Calcuttan consumes during these four days, nor the fact that one hardly stays at home during this period, or the fact that hundreds of thousands of people roam around the city all night long, without any security concerns whatsoever.

Like any big event, the anticipation of the approach of Durga pujo is much more exciting than the four days of the event itself, which is gone before you can say Ouagadougou! People in Calcutta spend way beyond their capabilities on new clothes and gifts for relatives. Calcuttans staying outside, count the number of days to D-Day (nowadays the countdown is done on the walls of Facebook!), when they descend from all across the globe, to the city of their origin.

But, it’s the AFTER pujo period, which hits you with the intensity of a nuclear aircraft carrier! The day after Vijay Dashami, the streets wear a deserted look, which a stranger to the city might consider to be the result of a curfew. People reporting to work, do so with a hangover of four days of revelry and a heavy heart. And the only topic of discussion- you guessed it right- Pujo Kemon Katlo?

Pujo Kemon Katlo?

Which roughly implies- How did you spend the time during pujo?

I asked this question to many people/friends last week and found varied answers, from people of different strata of society. I am sharing the responses of 5 of my friends.

Pujo Kemon Katlo?

Answer from middle aged Security Guard at my GYM-

Arre Dada, aamader aar pujo te ki aache?

What’s there for us during the pujo? I had to spend the entire pujo at the gym building itself. Since the gym was closed during 4 days of pujo, I could spend the time watching the coverage of various pujos on TV, inside the gym. Of course, my kids want to go out, but then again, what can I do? My job is such that I cannot afford to join the revelries...

Answer from Vegetable vendor at the local market:

I return home from the wholesale market at 1:30 a.m. in the morning after buying all the stuff for the next day’s market. And then, I am back in the market at 6 a.m. Tell me dada, after such a hectic day, where does one get the energy to go pandal hopping? But, still I had to take my kids out, or else they would be having long faces.

Answer from young Fish vendor at the same market:

Oh Pujo! I had a great time! You know why???

·         Firstly, because it did not rain at all during the pujos. So, I could really enjoy myself.

·         Secondly, because I had managed to get myself a volunteer’s pass, which allowed me along with 3 of my friends to enter some of the famous pandals, without having to stand in the long queues.

It was hectic. After all, I had to be in the market from early morning till late afternoon, but then again, this is durga pujo. Its once a year, so I don’t mind the extra workload. The fun I had made me forget all my tiredness...

Answer from a Rickshaw-wallah in my para/locality:

Babu, I did not have a good time this pujo?  You ask why?? How can we have a good time, if we can’t make some extra income!! This year the police did not allow us to ply after 4 p.m. during 4 days of pujo. They had made the rule for both auto-rickshaws and rickshaws, but the auto-rickshaw drivers put on a road block and were allowed to ply. No such luck for us. Tell me dada, if you cannot go near the pandals, how can you get passengers??

Na Dada, this year pujo was not good for me...

But, the best response was of course from Biplab, the Head Steward at a famous Calcutta restaurant, known for its wonderful Biryani and other mughlai cuisine. I must add that Biplab is an extremely cheerful, energetic person, who can make your experience even better. Being a frequent customer, we share quite a friendly relation. This was his answer:

Pujo??? That’s for guys like you to celebrate...For me it’s the same routine questions to be asked-Sir, what would you like to order? Biryani? How many plates, sir? Special or regular?

Yesterday, we had customers till 4 a.m. in the morning, and even in the wee hours, they will start ordering all the way from starters and finish with desserts! And today again I was back early morning, after couple of hours of sleep.

You should the antics of some of the customers. One group of people came at 3:30 a.m. and ordered for Biryani. Nothing unusual there. Then they asked if we had any Dal??

I said- Sir, we have Dal Makhani, but are you sure you want dal with Biriyani?

Customer: Sure, sure... we don’t mind. Dal die biryani mekhe kheye nebo!!! We will mix it with the biryani and eat it.

I nearly fainted on hearing that!!!

Let me tell about another customer. Post dinner, finger bowl was placed in from of him. He squeezed a lemon in the water and gulped it down! I gaped in horror. The customer said- Don’t worry, it will help digest the food better!!!

Tell me, after all this; do I need any further entertainment during pujo? My customers provide me enough entertainment.

Shubho Bijoya!