Navrathri day two !

"WOW ! Not much progress," mumbled a beaming Pattu mami.The daily Navrathri Puja was taking up most of her time .

"Please the mother Goddess for nine days.Sing hymns in her praise and chant her divine name a thousand times," Ma would say.I listened to her in rapt attention as she rendered lovely musical compositions all in praise of the Divine Mother.

Ma was married on the 1st of September 1963.A petite newly wed Iyer dame fluent in English,Tamil.Telugu and Hindi travelled all the way from Secunderabad to her inlaws home in Calcutta.

As she stepped on Bhagirathi land,Subbu said "The Durga puja is approaching.This is the best time to be here in this City of Joy and I am sure you are going to enjoy every moment of your stay in this city."

Viji was not too sure though.She had her apprehensions.Yet ! slowly but surely she was getting involved in the Bengal culture.She was on a vacation,a tourist coz !Subbu would plan a daily itenary and take her in and around the city.

It was the month of October 1963.Puja frenzy had begun.The festivities were yet to begin but the mood palpable.:Localities were gearing up for the celebrations and Viji was wonderstruck.It was during the month that Subbu suddenly planned a trip to Kumartuli

Kumartuli is a potters village in northern Kolkata. By virtue of their artistic creations these potters have moved from obscurity to international prominence. This Kolkata neighbourhood,supplies clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses to pujas in Kolkata , its neighbourhoods and now all over the world.

Certain customs are observed religiously ,while sculpting the clay idol of Durga. On the auspicious day of the Rath Yatra festival, clay is collected from the banks of the holy Ganga. The entire process of idol-making, from the collection of clay to the final stages of decoration and ornamentation, is considered sacred.

Another important event is Chakkhu Daan, that literally means ,the donation of the eyes, which occurs on a special auspicious day when the artists paint the eyes on the face of the idol.

It seemed like a dream come true.The semi completed clay idols fascinated Viji.The deft nimble fingers that worked on the deities amazed her.She was bewildered at the sheer talent of a group of people......The clay idols were coming to life and it seemed like a trip to the abode of the Gods.

"Learn a lesson from the clay ," Ma would say."Life is not a bed of roses but you have the power and the strength to mould it as you wish.Lead a pious life and be flexible.Try to be as eco friendly as possible.Our Earth is rich in resources.Use the resources carefully.The Earth is sacred ,and worship Bhoomi Ma." she would go on....

She would repeatedly say"So !Give the Golu an eco touch.Decorate the steps with mud dolls and wooden dolls.Remember to connect with the earth .We rise from dust to go back to dust..............Yet ! as I spotted a papier mache doll in my Golu,paper eco friendly too,an inner voice seemed to question the same earthy sentiment and the story teller in me was searching for answers as a logical explanation for a break from convention,and the transition from the Simple Steps to the Elevated MODERN DAY THEMATIC GOLUS ......