Chennai: Bengalis in Chennai are all set to celebrate Durga puja in different parts of the city. While the Gen Z is taking the reins this time at OMR Bengali Milon Sangha (OBMS), where Kishori Pal has come down from Kolkata to make the idols, at the Anya Mukh Durga Puja in Chromepet, the theme — Sati’s Dehotyag — takes a strong stand against abuse, violence and injustice against women. The Bengali association is echoing a similar theme by staging the Mahishasur Mardini dance drama around Mahalaya on Sunday.“My father has been coming to Chennai to make idols for the past 46 years,” said Deben Pal, son of Kishori Pal, 73, whose 12-member team has been camping in T Nagar for the past two months. They are making idols for 45 Durga pujas of Chennai, said Deben, adding, “When we come from Kolkata, we bring along the clay and all accessories needed for making the idols. We have been doing this for generations.”Meanwhile, idols of Anya Mukh at Chromepet are being made by artists from Nabadwip, a heritage city in the Nadia district of West Bengal.“Seeing us, many other puja committees are getting their idols made by them. We have got the decorators down from Krishnanagar,” said Atri Kumaar Sinha, president, Anya Mukh.In Sholinganallur, Gen Z Bengalis are taking over the OBMS Durga Puja at Umadri Mahal. Atanu Bhaumik, vice-president, OBMS, says, “What makes this community puja special is its unique bhog experience every day, where Gen Z volunteers will come together to serve a variety of dishes, embracing tradition while preparing to carry the baton forward for future generations.”In north of Chennai, the Bengali Sangha Avadi at its 61st year of Durga puja is open to all. “This annual celebration is not just a religious event, it’s a vibrant cultural gathering that brings together Bengalis and the wider community in a joyous spirit of festivity,” said the puja committee’s president Tanmoy Mohinta. “We will live-stream the puja aarti, so that devotees and well-wishers from near and far can be part of the festivities,” added secretary Prashanta Sur Chowdhary.“Our special attraction is the Mahalaya dance drama — Mahishasura Mardini — on Sunday, Oct 11. It symbolises the ultimate triumph of good over evil and divine feminine power (shakti),” says Pintu Champ Mahato of the Chennai Bengali Association, who will be portraying the role of Mahishasura.The major attractions of this puja are its food stalls, and Bengal art & crafts fair apart from the usual rituals from Panchami Bodhon till our Sindoor Khela, said Dr Shubhra Biswas, adding, “We will start our bhog distribution by first visiting the NGOs and serving the special children.”
