Monday, October 29, 2007

Pujo past


Shondhi Pujo on Oshtomi. The 108 lamps symbolise the lotuses offered by Rama to Durga when he invoked her before the battle with Ravana. (He was short two lotuses, planned to pluck out his eyes and offer them instead. Seems a bit counter-productive, since he sought the means to defeat Ravana.) In appreciation, the Goddess revealed to Rama the only time of day when Ravana was vulnerable.
Also known as Akaal Bodhan.


Obviously it's not all about rituals and reverence.
Luchi torkaari is important too.




As is Le Jive Traditionell










You've got to feel sorry for these guys. What a waste of a Pujo evening.





While the rubber-neckers clog the roads.




Nobomi dawn. Out at 4 a.m. with five youngsters in a Scorpio. Back by 7 with a load of photos, a good breakfast and a pain in the leg from the heavy clutch.










Who would have thought the old lady could look so serene?


And this one ... Calcutta instead of Le Havre?
(No, I am NOT implying I'm another Claude M.)







Doshomi.
Laal paar shaari
and shnidoor khela










Laal paar, 2007 version



Aaschchhey bochhor abaar hobey!!

15 comments:

Mala said...

Nice ! I like the first photo the best. And the laal paar saari one.

I know they say all Mallus are Bongs and all that , but what does
"Aaschchhey bochhor abaar hobey!!" mean? Apart from "Look how many Hs I got into this sentence"
Mala

J. Alfred Prufrock said...

That line full of h's means 'once again next year'

J.A.P.

Dipanjan Das said...

very nice photos :)

Progga said...

Some lovely pics, JAP. This year, for some reason, the yearning for pujo was stronger, and a bunch of us went to some pujo in Brooklyn - which turned out to be a mandir, with every possible murthy present - including some I'd never seen. And tremendously aw-bangali, if you'll pardon the expression. No dhaker awaj, no barowari pujo. *sigh* Shubho Bijoya, somewhat belatedly.

Kele Panchu said...

The pictures in 'bad-hope' are great. Shubha Bijoya!

Tabula Rasa said...

great pix.

J. Alfred Prufrock said...

DD, Prof, thankee.

Progga, you should ALWAYS come home for Pujo.

KP, I'll bite 'Bad-hope'?

J.A.P.

Unknown said...

Lovely pictures JAP - especially the river .

Priya said...

Awesome pix...where is this, btw?

??! said...

that street pic would make for a lovely wall-print. And the bridge in mist too.

J. Alfred Prufrock said...

Eve's L, ??! - thanks. Which street pic?

Priya, all in Calcutta

J.A.P.

??! said...

ahh, right. The one to the left of the dawn-bridge, and above the water one.

satanbug21 said...

JaP
learn to use the torque curve and the leg will rest easy...
ride the spead-breakers and keep ur right foot down...all the way...
Simlipal becons...

u never mentioned the " Only Branch"...

sudeshna said...

a great feel and not just in pictures ;)

Anonymous said...

3 years...already?
seems like yesterday...