Dilip Guha, New Delhi : Ahead of Durga Puja, the spirit of Bengal came alive in the capital. The sound of dhaak and the colours of Bengal have turned Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi into a mini Bengal as the Office of the Resident Commissioner, Government of West Bengal, is hosting Aagomoni – The Homecoming, Bengal Pre-Puja Expo ’26 from 18th to 30th September.
This mela, which has become a calendar event for Bengalis in Delhi-NCR, brought together handicrafts, handloom, food stalls and cultural flavours of Bengal. But the soul of the evening was the cultural programme organised to celebrate inclusion, tradition and talent.
Organised with the participation of five key departments of the West Bengal Government, namely Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises & Textiles, Information & Cultural Affairs, Self Help Group & Self Employment, Panchayats & Rural Development, and Tourism.
Despite the rains, Bengal Pre-Puja Expo 2026 at INA Dilli Haat, New Delhi, witnessed an encouraging turnout of visitors on Saturday, 26th Sept 2026.
Smt. Shaon Sen, Special Secretary, Panchayats & Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal, and Additional CEO, West Bengal State Rural Livelihood Mission (WBSRLM) graced the Expo.
As part of the cultural programme, SAKSHAM, a group of specially-abled children, presented a cultural performance, while ‘Gambhira’, the traditional folk drama of Malda district, showcased the rich folk heritage of Bengal.
The expo has become a powerful showcase of rural women’s entrepreneurship alongside Bengal’s rich handicrafts and culture.
Speaking on the occasion of the Cultural Evening, she said West Bengal has the highest number of women Self Help Groups in India – 12 lakh SHGs comprising around 1.5 crore women. Sharing the achievement of this year’s mela, she said, “Only ten stalls we have sent from our Panchayat and Rural Development Department. And they have already, within eight days, sold their products to the tune of Rs. 80 lakhs.“
She then explained the real effort behind this success: “You know, making a road, making a house, giving light – that is much easier. But to teach a village woman how to open a bank account, how to do bank transactions, how to do bookkeeping, how to learn business strategies, how she will take a loan, buy products, repay the loan and grow bigger and bigger – this is not an easy job.”
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“To nurture one woman and her group, it takes a minimum of two years. So those who have come here today and have done business of Rs. 80 lakh in eight days, just think how many years and how many days of effort is behind them, and of course their own hard work.”
“We talk a lot on big platforms, even on international platforms, about women empowerment. But don’t you think this is real women empowerment? So a big hand for our Didis who have come here.”
She thanked the Office of the Resident Commissioner for their effort, saying they are doing a wonderful job to represent West Bengal in the capital with very small infrastructure and manpower – not just Agamani, but Post-Puja Mela, Film Festival, Mango Mela.
The cultural programme on 26th September evening had two special presentations.
The cultural evening opened with a soulful musical performance by the Saksham-KMS Group, a group of differentially-abled children who won the hearts of the audience.
The Saksham-KMS group was formed in 2021 under the able guidance and mentorship of Ms. Manisha Barua, coordinator of the group, and Mrs. Anita Basu Halder. Comprising specially talented children with a keen interest in music, the group has come a long way and is today a known name in Delhi/NCR, showcasing their amazing talent on different platforms.
The evening resonated with inclusivity and talent as Abhiroop Mukherjee stirred hearts with “O Akash Sada Sada” and later “Dekha Na Hayer,” Khush brought vibrancy through “Kesariya,” Tanisha touched emotions with “Jana Ajana,” Sohail Awasthi charmed with “Haal Kya Hai Na Pucho Sanam,” Srilekha evoked nostalgia in “Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla,” while each rendition became a testament to resilience and artistry.
They are accompanied by Aditya on keyboard, Neeraj Mohajan on dholak, Debobroto Dalal and Sudeep on guitars — together weaving a tapestry of resilience and melody.
Formed with the goal of introducing these children to the mainstream and nurturing their talents for their future endeavours and self-independence, their performance today was a perfect example of music beyond barriers.
Speaking on behalf of the children, their mentor Manisha Barua said: “This programme is about inclusion and joy. Our children, though specially-abled, have shown remarkable confidence, courage and devotion today. We believe every child deserves a platform to express their talent and faith.”
She added that an opportunity to perform at a larger festival like Agamani would not only showcase the children’s abilities but also strengthen the spirit of inclusion, inspire audiences and further enhance the confidence of these young performers
The second presentation was a vibrant Gambhira traditional folk drama of Malda district by a folk troupe from Malda district, West Bengal, with powerful drum beats and energetic movements; the artists narrated folk tales, leaving the audience mesmerised. Gambhira, which is the traditional folk form of Malda, is known for its devotional and social themes.
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The special presentation by the Kutubpur Gambhira Dal. Through dialogue, music, rhythm, and performance, it brings folk traditions and contemporary social themes to life. However, due to rain, their performance had to be abandoned halfway.
Kutubpur Gambhira Dal – The troupe was established in 1941 by the late Gobinda Lal Seth and Gopinath Seth. The present writer and director is Shri Prashanta Seth. This troupe has a history from the time of Independence. Gambhira folk theatre is a song of protest. For singing against the British, they faced their wrath. A fatwa was issued that they could no longer sing, and their notebooks were seized. Later, they filed a case and got their notebooks back. Similarly, during the time of the Emergency, the wrath fell upon them again. Bombs were hurled at their performance venue to stop them from singing. From then till now, the Kutubpur Gambhira Dal has continued in its own tradition. The present age of this troupe is 85 years.
The Agamani Mela will continue to bring a slice of Bengal to Delhi in the run-up to Durga Puja, spreading the message of joy, inclusion, and cultural harmony. The Expo will continue till 30th September 2026. Visitors are cordially invited to visit the Expo and experience the rich handloom, handicrafts, and cultural heritage of Bengal.
The Agamoni Expo at Dilli Haat is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM till 30th September.
