Here’s an evocative poem by Abu about the ambience during Durga Puja in an exclusive Special Feature for Different Truths.
Pre-Puja days Bazaar wears a festive look The scent of Shuli is in the ai Kaash flowers greet u Dhaki’s beatings at pandals, Sharodiya sankhas at book stalls No chanda hooligans at my locality Once a year, we give puja-bonu To maids, guards, and boys They keep our abodes clean and going And feel happy with little sacrifice.
Editor’s Notes
Shuili: Also known as Parijat, Shefali, Shefalika (Sanskrit), Raat ki Rani, Harsingar (Hindi), Tree of Sorrow, Queen of Night, Night Jasmine, and Coral Jasmine (English)
Kaash: Catkins (white flowers)
Dhaki: Person playing large war drums during Durga Puja
Sharadiya Sankhas: Special Issues of magazines brought out by various Bengali publishers
Chanda: Donation for the Pujas
Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths
Abu Siddik teaches at Plassey College, Nadia, West Bengal, India. He loves to write poem, short story and article on the struggle and resilience of the Indian marginalised communities, the underdogs, the outcasts. He has 12 books.
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