This was the unmistakable smell of Saratkal. Lying on his hospital bed, eyes closed, Tutul could almost smell the Agomoni of Ma Durga in the air. The familiar voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra boomed through the radio set which the night nurse slipped into Tutul’s room. Of course he had to promise her to keep the volume as low as possible so as not to wake the other patients on the floor. And if the ward-in-charge came to know of this, that would be the end of those chocolate bars or the ten minutes extra visiting time which Tutul gets almost everyday as a gift for being good.
Mahalaya to Tutul, was like an untamed river during high tide, waiting in bated breath for the gates to his unbridled happiness to burst open and flow wild. Like a wild flower finding the comfort of firm soil to spread her riotous colours everywhere, Mahalaya to Tutul was that “waiting to riot in happiness” time. His senses lay suspended in the smell of Pujo…in the beat of dhaak and kashor ghonta, the soulful shaankh, in the fragrance of dhup, the sudden cacophony of laughter, the non-stop chatter of people, the recital of mantra by Purohit Jethu, the blaring of popular songs. Durga Pujo to Tutul, was nothing short of a divine symphony created by Maa Durga Herself.
Puja heralded a lift in curfew on all those mundane do’s and don’ts. Tutul was allowed to play all day long and stay out with his friends. The Puja mandap in his neighbourhood…para…took the form of one big family coming together under one roof for those magical days…Ma, Baba, Kaku Kakima, Didi Dada, Dadu and Didan of all houses were shared and were his as much as they were his friends’! The amount of pampering showered on him knew no bounds and importantly brushed aside even Ma’s chidings. The nonstop adda, the singing and dancing, the chaos and cacophony and the finger-licking food…Pujo was a blessing every good human being on planet earth deserves, Tutul had once written in his school essay!
The Dhaaki at times would call over all the children to dance to the beat of his dhaak. Oh, this was so much fun. Tutul would join the rest in this madness…the best part was when heads-banging and feet-trampling on others would invite squeals of laughter from the children and adults alike. Before long, the much awaited bhog would be served on Kolapata. The fresh smell of the kolapata would transpose Tutul to his Ranna Mashi’s village which he had once visited with Ma. Kolapata always reminded him of the rain-washed farms in Mashi’s hometown. Perhaps it was the fresh smell of the leaf, perhaps it was Tutul’s deep connect with the soil and all senses…
This Puja was special, a special gift promised to him by Ma Baba. A whole tantalising week had now passed since Mahalaya. Tutul had been wheeled in and out of the Operation Theatre thrice in fifteen days. He couldn’t have cared less, what with the smell of Durga Puja in the air and the promise of his surprise gift! Those little hours he was not drowsy from drugs, Tutul would be content to lie in bed and pick on the sounds of Puja. Today was Maha Shashthi and he would be discharged. Tutul was restless all day. All his friends must already be in the mandap, scourging on the prasad and sweets. Oh, this was too much excitement…only a few hours left to join them…
While Calcutta immersed herself headlong in Puja frenzy, all activity surrounding the small mandap in Tutul’s neighbourhood was on hold. The air was filled with suppressed emotions and the same unspoken question hung over them like cloud in an overcast sky. Like a lull before a storm, all waited with bated breath for the little boy of seven, the apple of their eyes, to arrive at the mandap. Seconds seemed like hours. The mandap cocooned itself in complete silence against a backdrop of high decibel celebrations the city of Calcutta had immersed herself in. Even Ma Durga was lying in wait…
And then the moment they had been waiting for arrived. Little Tutul, with a pair of dark glasses on, walked into the mandap, holding his parents’ hands. The crowd dispersed to let him pass – he was led right in front of Ma Durga. And then, with the first beat of the dhaak, Ma removed his dark glasses and Tutul opened his eyes to the splash of colours and beauty of sight for the first time in his seven year life. Ma Durga’s eyes absorbed him with all Her power and benevolence. Tutul stared in awe and wonder at the Devi’s face. The world had just unfolded herself to Tutul. Sounds and smells which had befriended him since his birth now had a shape, a form, a colour. Giddy with a feeling quite alien to him, he looked around in wonder at people who love him. Like a bottled up cracker ready to let go of itself, the crowd burst into tears of joy and laughter. This was the gift Tutul had been waiting for. The dhaki beat his dhaak and heralded the Agamoni of Ma Durga.
35 Responses
Beautifully crafted… the passion, the deep descriptions! You don’t have to be a Hindu to resonate with the events described.
I enjoyed reading every bit.
You are so right. Its about emotions and that is universal 🙂
pujo for bangali is just not a week long celebration but an emotion. Emotion of hope and positivity. A little Tutul resides in all of us, irrespective of age or Ones social background we all come together to share the excitement and magic of this beautiful festivity. This is a beautiful read ❤️
Thanks my dear 🙂 Yes, the happiness surrounding Pujo stays the same irrespective of age, place, situation. We transform!
Very well scripted and heart melting writing; not only has this brought the smell of our Durga Pujo, but at the same time has created before us the spectrum which little Tutul witnessed as he emerged from darkness to light
Could not hold back tears.
25th september,2022
Ma, imagine the joy of those who find vision later in life. One day I wish to take inspiration from a real story of darkness to light and write…
Deeply moved by the passionate writing and the relevance of eye opening with Durga Puja.
Thank you Kaku 🙂
Durga Pujo is not just a festival, it’s an emotion, a motivation driving us throughout the year. The Melody of Dhak along with the cacophony of different hindi and bengali hits from different pandals sweeps away all boundaries. The writing aptly reflects the passion and the essence of Durga Pujo. A wonderful read.
Thanks Sarthak, we all unite under Ma Durga. Magical.
A wonderful, touching story. So many “”TUTULs” can find their dreams come true through this. A rich essence of DURGA PUJA I can smell. I want to quote Kabiguru…”Andhokaarer utsho hote utsharito aalo, shei toh tomar aalo…”
The entire essence captured perfectly through this line…
I like the way you describe the scenes congratulations I will refer my family and friends
Thanks so much Caristus. Keep reading and hope you enjoy. There’s a lot of Kenya in this space 🙂
Many writers struggle to create stories that evoke the five senses. This one has passed the test! You are gifted. Talent!
You are TOO kind! And I so appreciate 🙂
How beautiful really. Durga pujo is actually an emotional journey for each one of us. .in our own way. .what a beautiful story! I couldn’t hold back my tears . . wonderful Gargee
looking forward to many more 🙂 love
Am touched!
Beautiful ❤️. Completely loved it. Could relate to it so much. Felt so close to my heart. Bhison bhison Sundar. In love with this.
Thanks dear! Look forward to one of favourite writer’s comments on the rest 🙂
It’s so well written. Looking at ma Durga after regaining sight adds a very touching story. Love the story Gargee.
Thanks Indra Da. Look forward to your views on the rest 🙂
Beautiful!!! Your write so well Di. Thanks for sharing this with me. You have left me teary eyed.
Raina, such words are lending me so much motivation 🙂
Truely and utterly transcendental ❤️
Thanks Ayan!
Gargee lekhata etoi bhalo hoeche je ami literally hapush noyon e kandlam. Etto minute details of emotion in such lucid language!! Lekha ta puro buuk e eshe dhakka dilo. Waiting for the next write up. Ekhon tor daaye ei standard ta maintain korar. My expectations from you is sky high.
Miss, if there were anything I could have needed, it is words as these. To be able to resonate and strike a common chord is a beautiful feeling 🙂 There are a lot more on the blog. Check the section Pensive & Peppered for such emotional stories/poems.
Pujos nostalgia is so touching and sensitive, its near our soul. Your description vividly describes the festive atmosphere. Beautifully penned . Loved this write up.
Thank you Mitali Aunty 🙂 Do let me know what you think about the other genres too.
Beautiful write up mamdi…enjoyed every moment while reading it.
Lovely .. it has been ages since I attended Durga Pujo in Kolkata … need to plan for one soon .. may be next year
Lovely .. it has been ages since I attended Durga Pujo in Kolkata … need to plan for one soon .. may be next year
Gargee, I had a lump in my throat and my eyes were moist when tutuls world opened before him. You are truly a gifted story teller. May you keep enthralling our senses with the power of your pen and mind.
Ahhh my poetess❤️ Your appreciation means much! Thanks 😊