Bengalis in Atlanta celebrate Durga Puja by organising cultural programs

ATLANTA: Bengalis in Atlanta, Georgia, like many other cities in the US where the community is settled, got together during September 29-1 October to celebrate Durga Puja by performing rituals ranging from fasting, praying to bhog preparation, dhunochi dance and

Sindoor Khela

(the game of smearing vermillion).

The event was organised by BAGA (

Bengali Association of Greater Atlanta

), Pujari, Puja Parishad who made grand arrangements for the festivities.

The Pujas were held in different local schools and thousands of community members thronged the venues. Cultural programs including plays, skits, dramas, classical and modern songs, dance and ramp walk added to religious celebrations.

The notable presentation was that of a play - Hirak Rajar Deshe (Brainwash) - performed by kids from the

Bengali Association of Atlanta

.

The National award winner Iman Chakraborty performed the soulful tune "Aha ki anondo akashe batashe". Another hilarious presentation was on a script "Like Chai Comments Chai" by

Shantanu Basu

, the director whose "Promise" bagged the special festival mention award in the Dada Saheb Phalke Film festival 2015.

Local programs that gained the attention of the visitors included "Rang Birangi Melody", musical showcased shades of Adhunik, Filmi, Bangla & Rajasthani Folks under the direction of Piya Sengupta & Debadrtia Goswami.

Singer and lyricist Anupam Roy, who is best known for his song Amake Amar Moto Thakte Dao from the Bengali film Autograph and recipient of many prestigious awards made the audience dance on his performances. Other performers who made the celebrations memorable included playback singers Shovan Ganguly & Somchanda Bhattacharya.

The crowd bade farewell to Goddess Durga with the beating of dhaks and the men and women dressed up in ethnic Bengali costumes lined up in the procession to immerse the idol.