Shopan Dasgupta
Auckland, October 4, 2023
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Bengalis the world over and primarily in West Bengal get busy during October every year, planning and deciding what to wear, what and how to decorate the venue and what is going to be on the menu.
The Bengali community in Auckland united under the banner of the Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand celebrated their 32nd annual Durga Pooja (Puja) with grandeur and devotion from 20th to 23rd October at 37 Selwyn Street, Onehunga.
This four-day festivity, a condensation of the traditional five-day celebration, witnessed an outpouring of culture, tradition, and communal harmony. Significantly, Durga Pooja has been recognised by UNESCO as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting the global importance of this vibrant festival originating from Bengal.
Tribute to Satyajit Ray
This year’s theme paid homage to the Oscar-winning West Bengal film director Satyajit Ray, transforming the venue into a visual narrative of his cinematic masterpieces. The walls were adorned with crafts portraying scenes from ‘Pather Panchali,’ ‘Hirak Rajar Deshe,’ and other notable works, creating an immersive experience for the attendees.
The cultural programs kickstarted with ‘Agomoni’ on Friday, a musical and dance tribute welcoming Goddess Durga. Children and women participated enthusiastically, showcasing their talents and preserving their cultural roots. Saturday was dedicated to the works of Satyajit Ray, featuring performances inspired by ‘Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen’ and ‘Sonar Kella.’
A Bollywood-themed singing performance lit up the stage on Sunday, adding a modern twist to the traditional celebrations.
Food, an integral part of Bengali culture, was in abundance, with a variety of Bengali cuisine served to visitors throughout the event. Daytime activities included an open stage, quizzes, and competitions, ensuring engagement and fun for all ages. The kitchen is full of volunteer cooks who make food over six sessions feeding over 2000 people who come through the doors.
Emotional Rituals
Probasee Bengali Association of New Zealand President Pavitra Roy said, “Keeping the tradition alive is very important. We need the youth and the younger generation to be the flag bearers of this unique event, they need to carry on with the traditions and customs of this Utsav. Durga Pooja is the celebration of the joys of living and the joys of giving.”
Monday saw the emotional yet vibrant rituals of Bishorjan, Sindoor Khela and Bijoya celebrations, marking the conclusion of the festivities. Notably, this year saw increased participation from the youth, taking on significant responsibilities, from decor to kitchen management and sound system operations.
Stalls added to the festive ambience, and the event’s allure extended beyond Auckland, drawing people from various parts of New Zealand to join in the celebrations, truly embodying the spirit of Durga Pooja and Bengali culture.
Our cultural secretaries are Madhurima Chatterjee, Debalina Basu and Raima Roy. We have several committees that do their important bits eventually to be brought together in one big joint effort. We form committees such as Decoration Committee, Pooja Committee, Kitchen Committee and Cultural Programme Committee, sound and light committee and it takes huge effort and teamwork to stage such an elaborate celebration.
Shopan Dasgupta is the General Secretary of Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand based in Auckland.
