Durga Puja holds a special place in the hearts of Bengalis. As part of our series on this grand celebration, we caught up with two avid Puja aficionados, Anindya Sundar Basu of @pikturenama, and Dolon Dutta Chowdhury of @poutpretty. In this conversation, they take us on a journey through their Pujo plans, cherished traditions, and a list of dishes from their passion project Kolkata Classics that aims to rediscover and preserve the narrative of Kolkata’s rich culinary heritage. From historic pandals to mouthwatering dishes, join us as we delve into the vibrant world of Durga Puja through their eyes.
Which pandals will you be visiting?
Anindya: I will be heading to Bengaluru this Pujo, but before I leave I definitely want to visit the Ekdalia, Badamtala, Bosepukur and College Square pandals. I wish I could catch even more!
Dolon: Bagbazar Sarbojanin, College Square, Kumartuli Park, Ballygunge Cultural, Shibmandir are some of the pandals I’m eager to explore.
Is there a special event or tradition (personal or ritualistic) that you follow during Durga Puja?
Anindya: I try not to miss the anjali on Ashtami, and growing up with book-loving parents means I never skip buying the Puja specials or pujabarshikis released during the Pujo months.
Dolon: Mom and I have a tradition of all-night pandal-hopping on at least one day. We’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years, so it has become a Durga Puja tradition for us.
The Sovabazar Rajbari Durga Puja
If you could travel back in time to witness a famous historical Durga Puja celebration, which one would you choose?
Anindya: I’d love to have seen the Durga Puja of Colootola Roy Bari Pujo.
Dolon: The grand Durga Puja celebrations at the Sovabazar Rajbari organised by Raja Nabakrishna Deb.
What is your favourite Durga Puja-time food at home?
Anindya: I miss my mom’s luchi alur dom which she used to make on Ashtami. Now, it’s either that or mangshor jhol and bhaat on Dashami.
Dolon: Basanti pulao and mangsho is my go-to festive meal.
Which places must feature from the Kolkata Classics list?
Anindya: Royal Biryani, cutlet from Mitra Cafe, Anadi Mughlai Parota and phuchka from anywhere in Kolkata.
Dolon: Potlar Kochuri, Dilkhusha Cabin’s cutlets and kabiraji, Royal’s biryani, and mishti from Girish Chandra Dey & Nakur Chandra Nandy.
If you were to design your own Durga Puja pandal, what theme would you choose?
Anindya: I would like to recreate an old Kolkata street/ building as my Durga Puja mandap.
Dolon: My theme would definitely be heritage, with the idol in the sabeki ekchala style. For the pandal, I’d like to recreate one of the ornate terracotta temples of Bishnupur.