Time to let off a small, silent sigh and think of the amazing energy, the electric atmosphere and above all,

the joy everyone share in a far away foreign land during the grand festival of Bengalis– Durga Puja. It is as inevitable as the tradition that inspires it - feeling pangs of nostalgia while Bengali community gears up to welcome Maa Durga and her four children – Lakshmi, Saraswati, Karthik and Ganesh, while we worship and revel in her homecoming every year around this time.

Bengalis in and around Atlanta area witnessed a gala celebration of Durga Puja this year with Pujari, Atlanta during the weekend of 30th Sep and 1st Oct 2006 at Berkmar High School, Lilburn. A superb new venue with ample facilities like parking space, large cafeteria and professional style auditorium for cultural shows added new dimensions to Pujari’s Durgotsav this year.

Swagata Bose, Rima Saha, Chandana Bhattacharyya, Paromita Ghosh, Mukta Saha and others worked for weeks to create a tastefully decorated ambience for Maa Durga and her four children. Pujari’s special attraction - a rare musical extravaganza – “Nachiketa & Band” was the concert of great sensational success on Sunday, 1st Oct. Nachiketa’s jeebanmukhi numbers enthralled the audiences beyond expectations on stage. Audiences from all age groups enjoyed Nachiketa – of ‘Nilanjana’ fame live in Pujari.

Like every year, Pujari’s highly efficient and talented cultural team presented a wide spectrum of cultural functions starting with dance performance by Rupa Bhaumik and group. Local kids’ performed Tagore’s dance drama- Pujarini, directed by Sutapa Das. Choreographers Sutapa Das, Soma Datta & Jaba Chaudhury worked hard for its enormous success of the show. Music & song was directed by Amitava Sen and Debasree Dutta respectively. Another couple of captivating dance performances – Pujar Arghya & Bristi Tomake Dilam directed by Bonhi Nandi was well appreciated. Pujari was honored to have Jnanbrata Bhattacharya, the eminent singer and student of renowned Rabindrasengeet legend - Debabrata Biswas on stage.

Richar Sarkar conducted yet another absorbing program – “Bhalo Lagar Gaan” performed by Pujari’s gifted choir – Prabir Bhattachayya, Tirthankar Dasgupta, Bonhi Nandi, Rahul Ray, Debasree Dutta and Santanu Kar. Hilarious drama “Boudir Biye” directed by Shyamali Das was among the most awaited program of this year’s Durga Puja celebration. The actors held the audience spellbound with their superb and magical performances. Among various programs, Pujari invited Indrani Ganguly (Alabama) for Bangla Songs, Lolita Das(North Carolina) for dance presentations. My Piano Works by Tanisha Ghosh was equally enjoyed. The enchanting ambience made the Atlantans feel being at home in Kolkata indeed!