SUDHAKAR DAS, 2021-09-04
ORGANISED BY ZAMINDAR FAMILIES CONTINUE TO BE MOST SOUGHT AFTER PUJAS AT KOLKATA! CULTURE DURGA PUJA ORGANISED BY ZAMIND
Sabarna Roy Chowdhury Rajbari Pujo,The oldest in the country….
It was from this family that the English East India Company acquired the three villages in the 17 th century to later consolidate into what became to be known as Calcutta now Kolkata.The family has branched out since, each branch with their own Durga Pujo.The original one still celebrated at 26, Sabarna Para Road, Barisha.
Away from the glitter of big budget community Durga Pujas, those celebrated by extended Zamindar families of yesteryears in the City for the past few centuries, continue to be hit even today.
The 411 year old Atchala Bari Durga Puja of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Barisha area in the southern part of the city was started by Lakshmikanta Roy Chowdhury and his wife in 1608.As per the available records, this puja holds distinction of being the oldest one in the country.
As such they don’t have a grand marquee, theme or illumination.Their USP seem to be is the history which cannot be replicated elsewhere as explained by a family member.
The idols of the Zamindar family are traditionally crafted in ” Motchuri ” style which gives them a golden complexion.
Roy Chowdhury, who is researching household pujas in the city, said serven more Durga Pujas in the city were started by the members of extended family since the original one in 1608.
As per the tradition other pujas of the area begin the process of immersion of their Idols, which is always on Tuesdays, only after that of Rajbari puja of Roy Chowdhury family has done away with. Except for discontinuing the ritual of animal sacrifice the family has not tampered with the old rituals.
A young executive visiting pujas with his family said ” We are bored with the repeatative themes and abhor the long queues. You get the originality in Durga Puja in century old pujas at Kolkata’s aristocratic home’s, it is like throwback of century old values and tradition practised in Celebrating Durga Puja he retorts