The Amra Prabasi Durgotsav in Thane showcases the streetscape of Kolkata
Vashi Cultural Association is celebrating its 22nd Durgotsav in an 80,000 sq ft pandal at ICL School Ground, Sector 15. At Sector 8 in Sanpada, Bengali Cultural Association secretary Buddhadev Karmakar said, “Our Gram Bangla theme is in a temple-shaped pandal. The venue spans 1,60,000 sq ft, said president Arnab De. It brings 300 families to celebrate in a homely way, said president Subrata Mitra. Singer Shurjo Bhattacharya performed on Oct 18. Sandhi Puja is on Oct 19.
President Subhankar Mitra said, “Our Rudrani style idol is crafted by Padma Shri Sanatan Rudra Pal, the only Padma awardee in clay art. A fashion show, dhunuchi competition and mukt manch are on schedule, said organiser Ashim Dey. Spokesman Soumyajit Niyogi said, “Our rustic pandal is crafted with traditional material. “Our festivities are inspired by the theme of Adi Yoga, while preserving Bengal’s heritage through a traditional Sabeki idol and a pandal designed like a Bengali village,” said chairperson Sushanta Saha. Spokesperson M Guha said, “We started with Milon Mela.
Performances include Indian Idol artist Tanishk Shukla, SaReGaMaPa winner Debojit Saha, Mumbai band Roots, and a tribute to Asha Bhosle. Navi Mumbai Bengali Association is celebrating its 47th Sharodotsav at Cidco exhibition ground in Vashi. Performers include singers Amit Kumar, Javed Ali, Rupankar Bagchi and Jayati Chakraborty. The theme of the five-year-old NRI Seawoods ‘gharowa’ style Pujo is ‘Gram Bangla: Back to Roots’. The unveiling of Ma Durga’s idol was performed by children from Jeevan Jyoti Ashram, a Nerul orphanage. Since Durga Puja has an additional day, we have five days of cultural soirees. Omkar Band from Kolkata will perform on Ashtami and singers Swakshar Basu and Rahul Joshi on Navami. In Thane, the theme of the 24th Aamra Prabashi Sharodotsav at TMC Ground, Hiranandani Estate, is ‘Kolkatar Pothe Pothe’. It recreates the sights, sounds and memories of Kolkata through an experiential mandap and audio-visual trip of architecture and streetscape. Anjali, dhak, bhog, music, food and adda are drawing devotees. The older namesake, Aamra Prabasi Nerul Durga Utsav (Ramleela Maidan), is in its 34th year. Baul Sangeet, performances by Diya Roychowdhury and Soumadipta Mukherjee are Navami attractions. Koparkhairane Bengali Association is celebrating its 31st festival at Shetkari Samaj Hall. In Vasai, Bassein Bengal Club is hosting its 42nd Durga Puja at its Kali Mandir. Maha bhog is served to all devotees irrespective of caste and creed. A Navami yagna is held where non-Bengalis also participate.