What do Bengalis get during the 5 day frenzy of Durga Puja?

Some pseudo intellectuals have often questioned the sheer madness that surrounds Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal. They argue about the money spent during the Puja; the amount of energy “wasted” by the people; the traffic, the crowd, the gimmick… in fact everything that creates the madness. This is my humble reply to them.

On the day of Mahalaya, Sealdah station is swamped by dhakis the drummers who are an integral part of Durgotshob. This is the only time they can feel proud of their tradition and skill. They earn 10,000 to 20,000 during these 5 days. Rest of the year, they earn a meagre amount by working as migrant farm labourers. Durga Puja keeps their art alive. Many have even flown to San Francisco, Berlin and London.

Photo courtesy- www.mumbairock.com

Shola grows wild in marshy waterlogged areas. This seemingly abundant plant provides livelihood to almost 5000 craftsmen- the Malakars of the shola Pith craft.

Photo courtesy- www.biolib.cz

The milky white stalk of the plant is painstakingly processed for months to produce the intricate decorations that adorn the Durga idols all over West Bengal and in Kolkata.  Due to the hype and so called “gimmick” of these 5 days, the craft has now seen a revival. Many villages namely Banshberia, Moukhali, Hattala,Rangaberia, Chaitanyapur and Muldia have started shola works.

Each year, a sleepy suburban town near Kolkata creates a Disney like magical world through their “tuni bulb” light works. Great personalities, animals, circus clowns, peacocks, “Mayurponkhi nouka”, “thakurmar jhuli”, characters from”Abol Tabol” comes alive on the streets of Kolkata.

50,000 people work in this trade. The best prize for “alokshajja” goes to the Puja organizers. The puja committees set aside almost 5 lakhs for these unique light works that will add to the popularity of their theme and Pandal. Not only in Kolkata, there is a huge rising demand for these light works in far off Gujarat, Mumbai and Ranchi. Their work is now appreciated all over the world. The most famous being the giant peacock barge at 2003 Thames Festival.

Media reports that the total expenditure in Durga Puja is growing at a 30%. More than 2 lakhs artisans of different crafts and art make their annual living from this festival.

Apart from this, the five day celebration provides almost the entire year’s income for other craftsmen- zari workers, Natun gram’s Wooden owl makers, dokra workers, the pandal makers and of course, the 260 units and 9000 patuas from Kumartuli. 

And, for those who are still sceptical about the worth of this Puja for Bengalis, here is a thought. It is a tribute- to the indomitable courage of the people of Bengal- those middle class households who save each penny throughout the year to visit a new place, go for a tour in Rajasthan, Gujarat, to the hills of Himalaya and North East;

It takes courage to smile through the debts, rising price of everything that is needed for a decent living, to say no to bribe even when an extra 500 would buy a much needed medicine, to live a deprived life even when there is easy money available if only they say yes to a decadent wish or a corrupt request.

These 5 days, Bengalis renew their spirit, their hope and prepare for the grind that awaits them for the next 365 days. They take pride in small achievements- a bike, a rise in salary, a gift of a jewellery to their mothers and wives, a computer for his son or daughter and other little dreams that make no sense to others but for them, it is just an inch forward to a better life, a reminder that their lives are not worthless. So, yes, Bengalis get a lot from Durga Puja.