Mumbai, After a two-year break due to work, Raima Sen is back in Kolkata to celebrate Durga Puja during Navratri. Just as Navratri and Garba have unique significance for Gujaratis, Durga Puja is important for Bengalis. Talking about this, Raima Sen said, “This is more than a religious matter, Bengalis are emotionally attached to Durga Puja.
The festival is a celebration of femininity and every woman has qualities similar to Maa Durga. When it has been recognized by UNESCO, it is considered to be noted at the world level. With many emotions and sentiments associated with it, it is a festival like Christmas for Bengalis. It is also our pride.”
About seeing the power of Maa Durga in a woman, Raima said, “All the qualities we possess as a woman are Maa Durga's qualities – strength, power, patience, motherhood and protection. It is within us, within each of us is that power.
So this festival is also a festival of femininity.” Reminiscing about the Navratri she enjoyed with her sister Riya Sen at a young age in her grandmother's house, Raima said, “We used to bring idols and decorate them and our whole family would sit in rows and eat on plantain leaves.
We used to wear sarees and go to friends' houses and dance together. Riya and I were very particular about what to wear and we used to get matching clothes from my mother. It was the best and fun time of the year for us.
But now I like to wear my mother and grandmother's sarees and jewellery.” Raima said that after her grandmother's death in 2014, celebrations in her house have also changed. “Now we don't celebrate much at home but my sister comes from Mumbai, we spend time with the family. Now many people from abroad also come to Kolkata to enjoy Durga Puja.
Now even non-Bengali people love to experience this festival.” Raima enthuses about the unique atmosphere of Kolkata's celebrations, “You'll feel like everyone is on the streets, all dressed up, shopping and there will be a lot of traffic.
The whole atmosphere is different. But now the situation has changed and we believe that if Maa Durga has come, justice will also be served, we have to pray for the blessings and safety of women.”SS1MS
