A heritage and disaster manager, Sukrit Sen loves the warm embrace of Durga Puja for how it draws him closer to his barir pujo, while presenting the opportunity to hop through pandals on his bicycle. My Kolkata caught up with the head of Living Waters Museum, Kolkata Chapter, to discuss all things pujo.
How do you celebrate the festival every year?
Being a heritage professional and a musician, Durga Puja is more than just a celebration for me. As a musician, I have been organising Dhaki Awards through the Rotary Rotaract Pujo Awards for eight years now, to acknowledge the often-forgotten contribution of the men and women who provide much to the soundscape of this festival. Besides this, there is also the element of the festival that brings people together. As a kid, I would visit my aunt’s friend's house, which would host a traditional ‘barir pujo’ every year. In the process, I have become closely involved with the family of ‘Dalal House’, a beautiful townhouse behind the Shiv Mandir Puja. I don’t hesitate to call it my own pujo when I invite my friends over. Thus, I spend most of the festival enjoying the warmth of our in-house Ma Durga with family.
Which are your favourite pandals to visit?
Although I am mostly busy with the barir pujo, I leave no opportunity to go pandal-hopping. I mostly go solo on my bicycle, as it's faster and I get parking right next to the pandals. While all pandals are equally creative, I look forward to the one on Nalin Sarkar Street, especially to see how they integrate a narrow lane into their design.
Celebrations at Dalal House
What is your favourite part of the festival?
Definitely dhunuchi naach! On the evenings of Saptami, Ashtami and Navami, the courtyard of Dalal House is filled with the smoke of the dhunuchi, the sound of the dhaak and the joy of dancers. I particularly love how the floor is open to anyone and everyone who wishes to groove to the beats. I also play the dhaak myself sometimes!
Do you have a go-to outfit?
People who know me, know that I am always in shorts. But during these five days, I make it a point to don traditional attire, including a kurta, paired either with a dhuti or pajama. Only because of pujo have I realised just how comfortable a dhoti is in Kolkata’s weather.
Any special traditions you follow?
A tradition I adore is writing 'Durga Naam' on a banana leaf on Dashami, and seeking the blessings of my elders. I find it really special because while we are all sad about the festival coming to an end, this activity ensures that no matter what, a family is always meant to be together. Moreover, these are traditions that are slowly fading, and I believe that it is important to hold on to them.
Sukrit playing the dhaak at Dalal House’s Durga Puja last year
What is your fondest puja memory?
I remember, as a 9-year-old kid, I won the dhaki competition in 2003 at Maddox Square, and was presented with a cash prize of Rs 1,000. Those were my first earnings.
What’s your favourite thing to eat during the festival?
Ghee Anna. It is a special delicacy served at Dalal House as Durga Ma’s prasad. Despite being a rice dish, it is not like pulao, fried rice, or any other item whose recipe I can explain. I look forward to eating it every year.
Sukrit with his Pujo favourite – Ghee Anna – at Dalal House
What is one power of Maa Durga that I would like to imbibe?
Winning over the negativity. To contextualise it, I would want to be a part of the system and bring change from within, rather than just complain about things.
