Dilip Guha, Sasraya News ★ New Delhi : Dakshin Delhi Kalibari has received the Narayani Namastute Global Durga Puja Excellence Award, presented by DNA Media and Entertainment, in recognition of its efforts to promote culture and tradition under the National Excellence | Beyond Bengal category.
This recognition highlights the Kalibari’s commitment to preserving Bengali cultural heritage while presenting the traditions of Durga Puja to Delhi’s diverse audiences. Celebrating the theme ‘Bangla Beyond Bengal’ in its pre-diamond jubilee year, the Kalibari brought together devotion, traditional art, food and community participation, reflecting the enduring cultural bond between Bengalis and their homeland.
The aditional Ekchala Durga idol, adorned with daker saaj, remained the centrepiece of the celebrations. The decorations across the premises drew inspiration from Bengal’s rich artistic heritage, recreating the warmth and distinctive character of a traditional Bengali Durga Puja in the heart of Delhi.
A notable feature of the celebrations was the collective effort behind the decorations. Members of the Kalibari undertook the work themselves, dedicating long hours of labour, from day to night, to create the festive setting without involving outside decorators. Their voluntary contribution reflected the spirit of community service and collective ownership that has sustained the institution’s cultural traditions over the years.
Environmental responsibility was another key aspect of the celebrations, with bamboo, wood and other eco-conscious materials used in the decorative arrangements. The emphasis on sustainable practices complemented the traditional aesthetics, demonstrating how cultural festivities can retain their heritage while embracing environmentally responsible approaches.
The award recognises Dakshin Delhi Kalibari’s efforts to keep Bengali traditions alive beyond Bengal through a celebration that combines faith, art, sustainability and community participation. Its observance of Durga Puja stands as a reflection of how cultural identity can be preserved and passed on to future generations, even far from one’s ancestral homeland.
The festive spirit of Ashtami evening reached a musical crescendo at Dakshin Delhi Kalibari, as Kolkata-based singer and composer Mallar Karmakar joined hands with Delhi’s popular indie-folk band Boond for a captivating live performance. The special collaboration brought together the musical traditions of Bengal and Delhi, drawing a large gathering of devotees, music lovers and festival-goers to one of South Delhi’s prominent Durga Puja celebrations.
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Setting the musical tone for the evening, Sania Dey took the stage before Mallar Karmakar and enthralled the audience with soulful renditions of Bengali and Hindi songs. A talented young singer, Sania has made her mark on popular television music competitions, securing a place among the Top 11 contestants on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2024–25 and the Top 25 contestants on Indian Idol Season 14. Her melodious performance added an evocative touch to the Ashtami celebrations and warmed up the audience for the evening’s much-awaited musical collaboration.
Following Sania’s performance, Mallar Karmakar took the stage.
Mallar’s expressive vocals and deep connection with Bengali music blended seamlessly with Boond’s earthy, Sufi-inspired folk sound and Hindi originals, creating a distinctive musical experience that resonated with audiences across generations.
The concert unfolded as a soulful musical journey, beginning with the devotional fervour of traditional Agomoni songs and the timeless melodies of Rabindra Sangeet before moving into contemporary arrangements and energetic folk fusion. Mallar’s expressive vocals and deep connection with Bengali music blended seamlessly with Boond’s earthy, Sufi-inspired folk sound and Hindi originals, creating a distinctive musical experience that resonated with audiences across generations.
The evening struck an immediate chord when Mallar performed his popular Durga Puja number Ailo Uma Barite, evoking the familiar emotions of homecoming and the arrival of Goddess Durga. The performance continued with much-loved songs, including Baje Go Bina and Ami Cheye Cheye Dekhi Sharadin, as the collaboration brought a fresh musical interpretation to familiar Bengali melodies. Devotional compositions such as Asatoma Sadgamaya added a contemplative dimension to the concert, while Dil Khiley, Mallar’s playback song associated with the celebrated music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, introduced a contemporary cinematic touch to the evening.
The concert gathered momentum as Bengali folk rhythms blended with Boond’s acoustic arrangements and folk percussion. The fusion of music and festive energy transformed the pandal into a lively cultural gathering, with the audience responding enthusiastically to the performers. The evening reflected the inclusive spirit of Durga Puja, where music transcends linguistic and regional boundaries to bring people together in a shared celebration.
Mallar Karmakar has carved a distinctive place for himself in contemporary Bengali music through his ability to blend traditional devotional influences with modern musical arrangements. A playback singer, composer and lyricist, he emerged into the limelight as the duet champion of Zee Bangla’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and later became a top-four finalist on Star Plus’s Voice of India, where he was mentored by Bollywood singer Sukhwinder Singh. He has sung and written the Hindi version of the Malayalam song “Venmathi” from the film Hridayapoorvam starring Mohanlal. As a composer, he creates music with his brother Mak and performs under the name Mak Mallar; they created Ailo Uma Barite, which became a popular Durga Puja song in 2023. His repertoire also includes popular tracks such as Baje Go Bina, Ami Cheye Cheye Dekhi Sharadin and Asatoma Sadgamaya, which he often sings in his live concerts. His playback Dil Khiley, released under the musical association of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and T-Series, further reflects his versatility across musical genres.
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Delhi-based Boond, known for its folk-fusion sound, Hindi originals and earthy musical arrangements, brought a complementary dimension to Mallar’s Bengali repertoire. The collaboration demonstrated how regional musical traditions can find new expression through contemporary arrangements without losing their cultural essence. Rather than remaining a conventional stage performance, the concert became a meeting point for different musical sensibilities, united by the festive atmosphere of Durga Puja.
Reflecting on his performance, Mallar Karmakar expressed happiness at the overwhelming response from the audience and the opportunity to celebrate Durga Puja in Delhi through music. He said that performing on Ashtami, one of the most significant days of the festival, made the occasion particularly special. The collaboration with Delhi-based band Boond offered a wonderful opportunity to bring Bengali folk traditions together with contemporary musical influences. He appreciated the warmth and enthusiasm of the audience at Dakshin Delhi Kalibari, adding that music has the unique ability to transcend language and cultural boundaries and unite people in the spirit of celebration.
The Ashtami evening at Dakshin Delhi Kalibari offered more than a musical spectacle. It captured the essence of Durga Puja as a celebration of devotion, artistic expression and shared cultural identity. Through the coming together of Mallar Karmakar and Boond, the pandal became a vibrant stage where Bengal met Delhi, tradition embraced contemporary music, and the universal language of music strengthened the bonds of community.
Beyond the concert, Dakshin Delhi Kalibari’s celebrations reflected the community’s effort to preserve Bengali traditions while creating an engaging cultural experience for Delhi’s diverse audiences.
Speaking about the cultural programmes, Subrata Das, General Secretary of Dakshin Delhi Kalibari, said, “We are not just organising a Puja; we are creating a homecoming. When a voice from Bengal like Mallar, who has been mentored by an accomplished artist like Sukhwinder Singh, performs alongside a Delhi band like Boond, it reflects the true spirit of Durga Puja—it brings people together.”
Speaking on winning the award, he expressed his appreciation for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to continue preserving and promoting Bengali culture and traditions in the capital. He acknowledged the collective efforts of the Kalibari members, whose dedication and hard work contribute to the celebrations every year, and reiterated the institution’s commitment to upholding cultural heritage while encouraging eco-friendly festivities.
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