When Christmas sounds just as merry in Bengali, Hindi and Chinese

KOLKATA: Christmas in Kolkata is usually associated with Anglo-Indians and Goans, but there are several other groups — like Bengalis, Chinese, Malyalis, Tamils and Biharis — that also celebrate the day as their biggest festival.

Due to the high concentration of Bengali Christians in many neighbourhoods, several churches hold their main Sunday sermons and Christmas service in Bengali. Many of these churches, like

Duff Church

in Manicktala, are even known as “Bengali Churches”. The Duff

Church

has 400 members and almost 98% speak Bengali. “We have sermons in Bengali. The special Christmas prayer service is also conducted in Bengali,” said Reverend

Biswajit Biswas

.

The local culture is reflected in the attire and the food. Though the number has dwindled, there are still a few men who wear dhoti and Punjabi on Christmas while most women wear saris. Although breakfast includes the customary cake, lunch in most households is a Bengali affair. “It is like Durga Puja. We buy new saris for Christmas,” said Sushmita Christine Sarkar, a teacher who stays in Ananda Palit Road.

The Tamil Christian community is concentrated in several pockets like Market Street, Free School Street, Dum Dum and Howrah. On Christmas, most men wear new veshtis and women choose pattu saris before heading for the special prayer service at St Saviours’ Tamil Church on Haji Mohammad Mohsin Square. The prayers here are held in Tamil. “We prepare delicacies from our home state on Christmas,” said Gabriel Vasanthakumaran, a member of the community.

Members of the Bettiah community, originally from Bihar, are scattered around Elliot Road, Park lane, Salkia and Pilkhana in Howrah.

“Christmas is the biggest festival for our community. We are Roman Catholic and our mother tongue is Hindi. We practice Christianity while retaining our

Bihari

culture,” said Felix Thakur.

For the Syro-Malabar Catholic community, or Malayali Christians, the Christmas preparations start from December 1 by observing lent for 25 days. “During this period we visit the less fortunate, old-age homes and orphanages to spread the message of Christmas,” said Martin P Jacob, a trustee of the

St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

in Behala. Nearly 120 families settled in

Behala

frequent this church where Christmas carols, as well as the service, are in Malayalam.

In old China Town near Tiretta Bazar, close to 50 Chinese families celebrate the festival with a dash of Chinese culture. Their homes have been lit with small red lights associated with celebrations in the community. “We will attend the service in the church with others, but our feast will be different, with dumplings and dishes prepared in the Chinese way,” said

Dominic Lee

, a businessman.


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