Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : Chittaranjan Park Bangiya Samaj in New Delhi hosted a three-day extravaganza for its Golden Jubilee edition of Poush Mela this year. The event, the 50th Winter Carnival “Poush Mela” was held at Swami Vivekananda Mela Ground from the 10th to the 12th of January 2025.
As the winter sets in, it’s time for the Poush Mela – undeniably the next major festival after Durga Puja in the Bengali cultural hub of Chittaranjan Park, Delhi.
On Friday, the event was inaugurated by Member of Parliament – Bansuri Swaraj, and the chief guest was Mallika Banerjee Nadda w/o Mr. J P Nadda Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Chittaranjan Park Bangiya Samaj, one of the premier socio-cultural organizations of the capital and the hub of prime Bengali culture, has been organizing the Annual Festival of Art & Culture “Poush Mela” every year since 1972, with resounding success on the occasion of Poush Sankranti. In South India, this festival is known as Pongal, Suggi, Kanuma, etc., and in North India, it is celebrated as Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Maghi, etc.
Poush Mela has an interesting heritage with its roots in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, and nurtured by Rabindra Nath Tagore. It went on to become a global kaleidoscope of folk music, rural crafts & culture. Inspired by a glorious past, the Poush Mela in Delhi is an eagerly-awaited bouquet of joy! Poush Mela usually organized at the end of the Bengali calendar month “Poush” known as poush Sankranti is an important festival in Bengal when the Sun Lord is worshipped. The Sun enters the Capricorn sign, or Makara Rashi, on this auspicious day, marking the end of winter and the start of longer days. Bengalis observe Poush Sankranti on this day, and West Bengal hosts the massive Ganga Sagar Mela to mark the occasion.
The richness, vibrancy, and diversity of this annual festival could be explored, offering a unique and immersive experience that brought together the rich heritage, traditions, and artistic expressions of India, with a particular focus on Bengal at the mela. The Cultural Programs were at the heart of Poush Mela, bringing the festival to life. The enchanting performances of traditional dance forms, evocative music from Bengal and across India, and soulful renditions of folk music were experienced.
Bengal’s Rural Life and Folk Culture
Bengal’s rural life and folk culture came alive in this celebration, incomplete without the mention of Baul Sangeet or Baul Gaan, an iconic piece of Bengali folk music. The mela served as a renowned stage for traditional Baul singers, who sang about the everyday aspects of life, creating a spiritual atmosphere with their Ektara.
Cultural Performances
Additionally, the event featured Music, Theatre, and Dance programs by eminent artists from West Bengal and across India, encompassing both folk and contemporary genres. These performances paid tribute to the artistic prowess of Bengal and India, immersing everyone in a world of rhythm, grace, and creativity.
Culinary Delights
Food plays a significant role in many rituals, especially as it marks the beginning of the harvest season. The fairground of Poush Mela transformed into a vibrant culinary market filled with many food stalls, offering visitors a taste of traditional delicacies from both rural and urban Bengal, as well as cuisines from other states. An ethnic Food Fiesta and a contest showcasing authentic Bengali dishes added to the event’s charm.
Additionally, the fairground comes alive with a temporary marketplace featuring folk artisans and rural craftsmen showcasing their handicrafts. They offered a variety of merchandise, including sarees, bags, jewelry, and home decor.
Speaking on the occasion Uttiya Misra, Chairman, of Poush Mela for the last six years says “During the last 49 years of celebrations of the Mela, the Samaj was privileged to have august presence of many Luminaries including eminent Scholars, Hon’ble Central Ministers, M.P.s, M.L.A’s, Corporators, distinguished administrators, performing artistes of National and International fame like Hemant Kumar, Manna De, Ghulam Ali, Jagjeet Singh, Ajay Chakraborty, through Kumar Shanu, Jeet to new age Anupam Roy, Shantanu Moitra, Subhomita, Iman, Jimut, etc.”
“Our previous editions were at their grandest with magnificent performances from all the artists, impressive reality shows, thrilling competitions, and spectacular live shows throughout the day. It’s no wonder that revelers filled the arena, with buyers crowding the shops and food enthusiasts enjoying a wide variety of cuisines from around the world—truly a carnival in its full glory. There were hundreds of thousands of visitors, more than ever before. The live streaming of the three days of programming on every social media platform has attracted a huge following and viewership globally, captivating audiences with the performances.”
He was very enthusiastic about the Golden Jubilee celebration. He said “This year, as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee, we are excited to bring together all the star performers from Kolkata: Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury and the Aces, Raghab Chatterjee, Ujjaini Mukherjee, Soumyo Bose, Arkadeep Mishra, and Sudeshna Ganguli. Additionally, we will feature performances from Bihu of Assam, Chhau from Purulia, and the Bauls from Birbhum.”
“During the Poush Mela, families come together to celebrate the festival at its best. The event includes fantastic performances throughout the day, culminating in high-energy shows during the evening. Booths are selling a wide variety of products, ranging from sarees to ornaments, as well as large multicuisine food courts that truly capture the spirit of the festival. We are pleased that the arrangements were up to the mark and the responses from the visitors have been overwhelming.”
On this auspicious occasion of Poush Mela, the talented young members of the Ichchhe Bitan cultural group from Delhi presented a spectacular musical and dance program. The performance, which is based on Bengali cultural traditions, was a memorable highlight of the event.
The group’s name “Ichchhe Bitan” translates to “Garden of Wishes,” symbolizing the organization’s commitment to nurturing the latent dreams and desires residing within individuals. Founded to promote and preserve Bengali culture, Ichchhe Bitan serves as a bridge between non-resident Bengalis and their heritage.
Its primary mission is to instill in children a lifelong dedication to Bengali culture, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots. Through activities involving music, poetry, dance, drama, and other art forms, Ichchhe Bitan creates a platform for children to express their cultural identity while fostering a global appreciation of Bengali heritage.
Ms. Nabanita Chatterjee, a proud representative of Ichchhe Bitan, expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating, “A few of our kids performed on this prestigious stage during the golden jubilee celebration of Poush Mela. This was a moment of pride and joy for all of us.”
The children of Ichchhe Bitan showcased their talent by presenting a blend of traditional Bengali cultural practices. Their performance included songs and dance routines rooted in Bengali heritage, a unique dance drama portraying stories and emotions intrinsic to Bengali culture, and artistic interpretations of poetry and music, celebrating the region’s rich artistic history.
Before starting their main program, they paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda, whose birthday falls on January 12th, with an excellent rendition of his song “Mono Chalo Nijo Niketane.” Their other numbers included Rabindra Sangeet’s “Poush Toder Daak Dieche,” a chorus song and dance.
They also performed Bengali and Assamese folk songs, including “Rangila Re Mon,” followed by Jhumur Gaan “Kalo Jole Kuchle Tole,” and popular number “Khejur Gachhe Hanri Bandho Mon.” and Sri Salil Chowdhury’s “Dhitang Dhitang Bole”. The program concluded with “Amra Sobai Raja.”
Speaking on the Poush Mela, Ms. Nabanita Chatterjee said, “The main purpose of organizing this type of festival is to introduce today’s youth to the rich traditions, culture, and heritage of Bengal.” She believed that Bengal’s cultural wealth, including traditions and musical legacies like Baul and Jhumur, should be known to the younger generation, and that Chittaranjan Park Bangiya Samaj was doing exceptionally well in this regard.
