Women of Salt Lake Lok Sankriti gathered at Sapphire Banquet on the EM Bypass to celebrate the festival of Teej with skit, music, dance and camaraderie.
“During the month of Savan, women visit their parents’ house after marriage to celebrate the festival of Teej, where they are pampered a lot. They are offered gifts, delicious food, sringar items etc,” explained Anita Kejriwal, a member of the ladies wing. “We are replicating the feel here and this is our 17th year of organising this event.”
Women like Shivani Agarwal had come dressed in their very best. “I’m wearing my wedding lehenga as today is a special occasion,” smiled the GD Block resident. “I’m also sporting a nath, maang tika, bangles... The last two years we were all indoors for this festival but I’m happy that we can celebrate again today.”
The women played games, danced, clicked selfies, exchanged gifts… Various songs of the season, like Sawan ka mahina and Aaya sawan jhumke, and dances to songs like Barson re megha megha were performed. Games like tambola and “the most perfectly dressed woman” were also played, where points were given to those wearing mangal sutra, red bindi etc. Sashi Bihani won this game and was crowed “Teej queen”.
Members staged Ek duje ke liye, a comedy with a social message written by Kejriwal. The skit showed a priest meeting various married couples bickering over issues instead of trying to solve them. It’s about how he helps them resolve their problems and save their marriages. The message was that marriage requires adjustment and should not be ended over petty issues.
“I played the role of an irritated husband in this play, whose wife blows up money on shopping,” said one of the actors, Darshana Garg. “It was fun, since in real life I shop a lot and felt like I was playing my husband’s role!” laughed the CJ Block resident.