Announcement of ‘Malad West Sarbojanin Durgotsav 2019’ Organised By Maitree Cultural Association
Announcement saw the presence of Kaushiki Mitra, Viusha Pandey, Somma Ghosh, Rupa Roy, Anuradha Dutt, Mrinalini Dutt, Bishakha Chatterjee, Sharvani Bhattacharya, Minakshi Kawal and Soma Pandey.
Malad West Sarbojanin Durgotsav 2019 organised by Maitree Cultural Association welcomes each and everyone with an open arm to seek the blessings of Maa. The 5 days include celebration from Shasti to Bijoya Dashami along with many exciting activities like sit down Bhog, Anandamela - a food pop up where home chefs will put up tables, cultural program organized by and for the under privileged kids, Sindur Khela, will be part of the grand 5 day Durga Utsav.
The theme of the 6th year of Durga Puja is - Roots & Wings - There are two lasting bequests we give children - One is roots and the other is Wings. Maitree Cultural Association has its mission to provide Roots to the generation next of the organization so that they grow into men and women with a sense of belonging to an extended family providing support to one another, and learning value systems that come about from sharing and caring as part of a community which does things together - Wings to fly and scale new heights in all aspects.
Maa's murti is 15ft tall. This is one of the “Roots” part … it is traditional Ek Chala which literally translates to ‘under one roof’.... the backdrop is unbroken and common from Ganesh to Kartik with Laxmi, Saraswati and Maa Durga in between. The idols are adorned in the very traditional Daaker Shaaj wherein the attire and ornaments and mukutis crafted out of the natural fibre, shola (Indian cork) into which metal embellishments and decorations are added.
The pandal is divided into 2 sections- the cultural and bhog area and the Devi mandap. The lavishly decorated Devi Mandap is the “Wings”- more contemporary, airy, and well illuminated to appear welcoming, a place where people can hang out and converse without being overpowered by décor. It is designed to be people friendly with an ambiance that exudes warmth.
The organisers take pride that thousands throng the puja pandal to partake in the bhog. Three days of unmatched, unflinching hospitality and service, one can vouch that the hospitality matches that of a wedding feast in terms of service and food.
While a couple of grownups keep an eye, the service is the domain of Maitree’s Youth Wing members, some of those who serve are as young as 6…and they do it well, fully in coordination with those just a little older to them. In addition, the puja team is led by ladies with the gentlemen playing a very supportive role.
When asked, if the is associated with a noble cause, Shyamashish Bhattacharya (President of the Organization), Rupa Roy (General Secretary of the Organization) and Jayanta Chatterjee (Vice President) said "Yes, of course…and we do this throughout the year and not just as flavour of the season. We’ve distributed grains, diapers, medicines, toilette items to the inmates at Assisi Bhavan, the children of Athurta Foundation are constant beneficiaries from things they need (shoes, clothes, school bags, books) to what they want (soft toys, games, treats) they get them all. In fact, they’ll be the ones inaugurating the Utsav. We planted plenty of trees in collaboration with the BMC during the rains this year. The Social Outreach Program is continuous and we have a calendar full of such events.”
