Enjoying cultural potpourri

LUDHIANA: For Swastika Sobti, a resident of Rajguru Nagar, the last couple of days have been full of celebrations. First she celebrated Baisakhi with her husband's family, then she celebrated both the Assamese and Bengali new years too.
Swastika, who owns a coffee shop in the city, owes the unique experience to her friend Sayanika Borah. Talking about her friend, she exclaims excitedly, ''I met Sayanika, who is an Assamese and is pursuing a PhD from Punjab Agriculture University, at my coffee shop.She was a regular customer here and gradually we became friends.''
On Friday, Swastika, who is a Bengali and is married to a Punjabi, invited Sayanika and her family to her home for a real flavour of the traditions in the eastern part of India. She said they celebrated both 'Shubho Noboborsho' -- the Bengali new year and 'Bihu' -- the Assamese new year together.
As per plan, Sayanika, along with her husband and daughter, went over to Swastika's home on Friday evening. Swastika had decorated her home in traditional colours for the occasion and made a 'rangoli' of flowers at the entrance. As Sayanika exclaimed with joy at the beauty around her, Swastika explained that the rangoli and the earthen pot kept at its centre are believed to bring wealth and symbolize a new year of enthusiasm and energy. She then served her guests a customary Bengali mango drink.
As her guests enjoyed the drink, Swastika informed that according to Bengali rituals people have a traditional bath early in morning and get dressed in their finest clothes. ''The young and old spend most of the day visiting relatives, friends and neighbours,'' she said.
On the other hand, Sayanika shared that according to their custom her mother-in-law had sent a paste of turmeric and black gram to apply in the morning to eliminate all diseases. About the celebration of 'Bihu', she said, ''It is celebrated for two days. On first day we worship our cattle and livestock, especially cows. On the second day, like it is in Bengali tradition, we wake up early in the morning and worship the gods and goddesses.