“Why does Puja pass so quickly?” asked a pre-teen at the biggest Durga puja in the US. Organised by Kallol of NJ in New Jersey, this 48-year-old puja witnessed its grandest celebration this year. Held over four days for the first time, Kallol’s puja attracted nearly 4,000 people, including Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, the consul general of India in New York. “Even though this was our longest-ever Puja, it felt like it went away in a jiffy. Perhaps because we had so much fun,” said one of the puja attendees at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, the long-standing venue for Kallol’s most anticipated annual event.
‘I don’t think I’ve come across such warmth and care at any puja in Kolkata before’
As always, Kallol’s Puja struck a fine balance between tradition and modernity
At the start of Durga Puja, My Kolkata had provided a glimpse of how Kallol members prepare for the occasion, striking a fine balance between tradition and modernity. “This feels like Maddox Square, but I don’t think I’ve come across such warmth and care at any puja in Kolkata before,” said an elderly woman attending her first Kallol puja, accompanied by her son, reiterating the attention to detail that Kallol prides itself on.
A big part of Kallol’s hospitality is its culinary offerings during Puja. Apart from the bhog, Kallol had attendees spoilt for choice, with everything from phuchka to jhalmuri to kebabs lined up, recreating Kolkata’s street food ambience with aplomb. A range of Bengali delicacies were also on the menu, ranging from khichuri and labra to shorshe begun and mutton kosha. All food items were cooked daily on the premises of the Puja. Children aged between seven and 11 years volunteered as servers and some also set up soft drinks stalls, donating a part of their earnings to Kallol.
From Babul Supriyo to Madhubanti Bagchi to the Nandy sisters, and more
The Nandy sisters performing at Kallol
The Kallol festivities kicked off on October 10, with a performance by Babul Supriyo, who set a spirited tone for the days to come. The next day’s function was graced by the Nandy sisters (Antara and Ankita), making their first appearance at Kallol. October 12 brought the much-anticipated performance of Madhubanti Bagchi, whose latest hit was the chartbuster Aaj Ki Raat. As a disciple of the Agra gharana, Bagchi showcased her versatility, dazzling the audience with her classical prowess as well as her contemporary flair.
Binaya Srikanta Pradhan (extreme left), the Consul General of India in New York, attended Kallol’s Puja
On October 13, Kallol continued its tradition of hosting classical programmes, featuring Piu Mukherjee, who mesmerised listeners with her soulful renditions. The day also included a Bollywood segment, where the veteran Sudesh Bhosale took centrestage. With a healthy dose of nostalgia, Bhosale delighted the audience by reviving old melodies from the golden era of the ’80s and ’90s, channelling the charm of icons like Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman.
Overall, Kallol’s Durga Puja not only retained but enhanced its eclectic appeal this year, proving that the probashi Puja experience is now as much a part of Durga Puja as anything happening in Kolkata.
