Budhbarer Boithok – Agomoni 2020 – 16th September 2020, 6:30pm onwards
From the Desk of the General Secretary, Rabindra Bharati Society
Dear Members,
We extended Saradiya welcome to all who were present last evening for the “Agomoni” programme. Earlier we had sent out a notice for participation in this event which was a one-of-a-kind in a year and received quite a few responses. Since today is Mahalaya and our weekly adda was held yesterday, we thought of celebrating the same through talks and songs on the said theme.
The programme started with few lines from the famous Mahisasura Mardini (Ya Chandi Madhukaitavaghatini) recited by Late Birendra Krishna Bhadra, shown as video. Shri Himadri Mukherjee also recited a sloka from Mahisasura Mardini, followed by the legendry song “Jago tumi jajo” by our very own Member, Shri Saumitra Banerjee.
Shri Soumitra Pal, Ex Judge, Calcutta High Court, expressed his inability to be present physically in the meeting but sent his speech which was streamed on line for the audience.
Dr. Abhijit Ghosh, Gynocologist and Asst. Secretary of the Society, delivered a talk on the conceptualisation of the early morning Mahisarura Mardini episode by legendary Late Birendra Krishna Bhadra, which ushered in the ambience for a perfect Mahalaya.
This was followed by Smt. Piyali Basu singing two Rabindra Sangeets on sarat ritu.
Shri S. P. Biplab, our very own Member posted in Bangladesh, gave a talk on how Durga Puja is celebrated in our neighbouring country and the fun fare involving it.
Shri Barun Chakrabarty, a classical singer, rendered an agomoni song, followed by singers Smt. Madhumita Nandi, Smt. Mita Addya, Shri Subrata Banerjee, Smt. Shampa Guha Roy Choudhury, Smt. Joyita Chatterjee.
Smt. Bhaswati Biswas and Smt. Anjita De sang a Rabindra Sangeet each which had the touch of the advent of Durga Puja.
Smt. Srimayee Bhattacharya, niece of legendary singer Late Manabendra Mukherjee and daughter of Late Siddeswar Mukherjee, rendered a beautiful uncommon agomoni in purbee raag, the notations of which were guarded sacredly by their family and a Durga Bandana by Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Smt. Mithu Ghosh recited a very sensational poem on “Bisarjan”. Though the theme was Mahalaya, it was appreciated by all because of its deep routed meaning of how nowadays we have diluted the ritual with meaningless paraphernalias like obscene dances, jarring songs, etc.
The pre-recorded graceful dance performance by Smt. Ritashree Pal, daughter of Shri Soumitra Pal, Ex Justice of Calcutta High Court, was a real welcome.
Shri Salil Sarkar then recited a poem pertaining to the joyful evening.
Smt. Nupur Bhattacharya, one of our very senior members, now posted in Nepal, gave a short talk, instead of a song that she had initially decided to do, as she was down in health, but confirmed that a few of her members who had joined the programme from Nepal would contribute from their part. So Smt. Sushmita Talukdar from Nepal took the privilege to sing a Rabindra Sangeet for us and enlightened us on how Durga Puja is celebrated in the Hindu country with pomp and gaiety.
One of our veteran members present, Smt. Kalpana Dey, was asked to give her overall views on the programme. She not only commented highly on it, but also decided to sing a song for us at her ripe age, which was an added bonus.
Shri Kiran Lama, a Buddhist by faith, a Nepali by origin and a member of the religious cult Mohabodhi Society, currently posted in Bodh Gaya, also joined in and gave his valued opinion on the flow of events and surprised us all by singing melodiously the famous song “Bajlo tomar alor benu”.
Shri Tapas Banerjee joined in from Canada, though it was early morning there, to share his ideas on how Durga Puja is celebrated in a far off distant land, Toronto. Initially they started with only two pujas which now has expanded to fifteen. Like us, they too commence the Debi Pokkho by celebrating Mahalaya. During Durga Puja they too go pandal hopping, have cultural programmes, proudly flaunt new Indian attires, offer pushpanjali, prepare bhog and embrace each other during Bijoya, doing kola-kuli. He ended his talk with a famous agomoni song.
Smt. Manasi Mukherjee joined in from Mumbai, sang two lines of agomoni and said she enjoyed the programme very much.
Smt. Sutapa Banerjee joined in from Shantiniketan and expressed her enjoyment in the programme.
The evening ended on a joyful note with Vote of Thanks given by Md. Rafique.
Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay
17th September, 2020
