While Britain is in the grip of an icy cold spell, preparations are under way to celebrate Saraswati puja (Basant Panchami) once again. Not only Durga puja, Kali puja now even Basant Panchami is a very big and integral part of the community’s culture, celebrated in many parts of the country with sit and draw competitions for children, 'adda', 'prashad' and cultural activities.
The celebration and Puja are spread across different dates for different organisations. While some have already celebrated it on Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st, or Monday 22 January, others have lined it up for 27, 28 January and even dates in February.
Now in their seventh glorious year, Croydon Bengali Connection in London have welcomed a new, exquisitely crafted 'shola' idol from the legendary artisans of Kumartuli, in Kolkata.
Over the years CBC have successfully hosted this joyous event, accompanied by a wonderful cultural extravaganza where the children are undoubtedly the star attraction. They have performed in many plays such as Tagore's Kabuliwala, Shaat Bhai Champa, Sukumar Roy's Tuntuni and more recently an excerpt from the life of Sister Nivedita. This year on Saturday 27th January in London they shall sing and dance to the classic theme of 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara'. There will be a wonderful performance by Eastern Euphony alongside a host of accomplished local singers. The program shall be inaugurated by Rt Hon Gavin Barwell who is now Prime Minister Theresa May's Chief of Staff, and Councillor Vidhi Mohan.The new Labour MP for Croydon Central, Sarah Jones, is also expected. It is worth noting that the members of Croydon Bengali Connection were instrumental in helping organize the Blue Plaque ceremony in Wimbledon that marked the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita, inaugurated by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
Basingstoke Indo cultural organisation had their puja on Saturday 20th at Crockwell village hall, which was joined by people from Reading , Slough , Winchester and Southampton. Bristol Durga Puja Committee organised their Sarawati Puja at Bristol Hindu temple, Swindon had a puja in Eastcott community centre and Liverpool at Croxteth Sport Centre- all three had organised their Puja on Sunday 21st January. Milton Keynes Ananda Club Saraswati Puja entered its 8th year, and also celebrated on January 21st at the Irish Centre, In Milton Keynes. It is one of the oldest Saraswati puja in the area, that whole heartedly welcomes any one who wants to offer their prayers to Devi Saraswati, the goddess of art and knowledge. The Essex Indians also organised their gorgeous puja in Shenfield Parish Hall on Sunday 21st, which saw a great mix of different cultures under the same roof celebrating this auspicious day.
Bengali Association of Bromley organised their puja on January 22nd. One speciality of their puja is Kolkata style sit and draw competition where artist judges from Kolkata were linked up on projector virtually and announced winners. It was the first time such a thing happened in London.
Another unique puja is mobile Saraswati puja, what started off as an initiative by a family in Milton Keynes back in 2010, to relive the Sarawati puja days back in Kolkata with some friends who happen to have moved to UK, has now traveled half of England, From Milton Keynes 2010-2016 to Woking in 2017 and now in Reading 2018. Believe it or not 9 years into the pujo, self funded by five families back in 2010 to now 10 families from all over the England, are yet to give this pujo a name. While this pujo is less publicised, as only close friends and family get invited, it is one of those authentic pujo's that also welcome any guests who wish to be a part of the Pujo. The highlight of this pujo has always been the cultural programme, with performers as young as 2 years, making their first stage appearance, even before "hathey khori" (officially learn to write). This year, the celebration is on 28 January at Coronation Hall in Reading.
Saraswati puja is returning to Wimbledon for the second year at Merton Arts Space in Wimbledon Library on this Saturday 27 January. Saudha, one of the leading Indian classical music promoters of the country is hosting the event as part of the celebration of the auspicious moments of worship for the Hindu mythical goddess of arts, music and knowledge Devi Saraswati. The event entails captivating sessions of serene music, haunting world poetry, colourful dance by a selection of prominent performers of this country. Curated by one of the top-most Indian classical singer in Europe Chandra Chakraborty, this free festival will kick from 4.30pm and finish at 10pm with free dinner for audiences. Guru Sounds radio has also organised a music festival in Leyton, East London on Sunday 28th January to celebrate Saraswati puja.
This year, Bengalis are also celebrating Saraswati Puja in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh for the very first time. The Puja will be celebrated in February 03, Saturday at Gilmerton Society hall and will include Bengali social and cultural staples: music, adda and food!
Edinburgh has a long connection with Bengal. In particular, the University where great bengali alumni include: Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray (First Indian Chemist), Kadambini Ganguly (LRCP, Edinburgh), and Aghorenath Chattopadhyay (DSc from Edinburgh University, father of Sarojini Naidu). Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore was also influenced by Scottish Music- Auld Lang Syne is very popular as “purano sei din et katha” The Saraswati idol has been donated by the Wales Bengali Committee. It was originally made in 2009 from simple materials like clay, hay and wood.
