Durga Puja is not just a religious festival. It is an important part of the overall culture of Bengal. It is a tradition in Bengal to wait for pujo music launch, pujo new release of literature, annual pujo editions of Anandabazar patrika, Desh, Aajkaal, Anandamela, Anandalok, which are called pujabarshiki. Many Bengali movies also get launched on the puja eve. There was a golden age in Bengali art and culture when every single music album, literature, movie, theatre that was launched in the pujas was superhit and this probably led to the culture of pujo releases. In the nice autumnal climate of Bengal, it is a treasure for kids or adults to cling to their favourite pujo edition (pujobarshiki) and read through the novels of their favourite authors. Somewhere in the distant there would be a tape recorder or a radio playing the pujo releases of Tagore songs or Adhunik songs! Off late there has been a new addition of band songs (which I also feel are adhunik songs) from Chandrabindu, Parash Pathar, Bhumi, Lakkhichara etc. Pujo also is a time when women in house will make nice delicacies like gurer naru, tiler naru (meshed coconut balls in jaggery), nimki (salty snacks).

These days we are in the age of Facebook, Google+ and Youtube and today’s generation won’t have to wait for anything. Although this has a pro side, I also observe lack of knowledge among present generation around the rich Bengali literature repository. These small elements of Bengali culture are on a decline. However there is still hope and although there are pockets of Kolkata which is overshadowing these traditions with present modernism, we still have good pujo releases and lots of followers of this rich Bengali culture not only in Bengal but also among prabashi communities.