Saswata Chatterjee: The memories of staying awake all night, Durga Puja bhasan etched in my heart forever

Every year when the drumbeats of Durga Puja are heard, mind takes a big leap back. Durga Puja memories remain etched in any Bengali heart. It can be childhood joys, personal milestones or the first crush or love at first sight during the festivities, we love to recollect those times spent with near and dear ones.
Saswata Chatterjee, too, remembers all those sweet anecdotes. Starting from the pre-puja works to bisorjon, the seasoned actor used to actively participate in everything.Staying awake all night at the para Puja pandal even resulted in some serious scolding at home. However, the joy of festivity never got compromised just because he was a celebrity kid.

“The entire celebration and joy revolved around our parar pujo. It was joy and happiness beyond words when we all used to go and bring the Durga idol. The excitement was something different. It can’t be expressed in words. And then there was staying awake all night during puja. Almost every day I had to face scolding at home. Baba with his cold-eyed stare would say everything that he meant. Maa er haate maar o kheyechi (he smiles). But this hostile environment at home couldn’t stop me from enjoying the festivities. I don’t know if anyone ever slept right in front of the pratima after it was complete. But I used to do it. Lying in front of the pratima and staring at Durga Maa’s face used to bring a certain peace inside me. Even on the day of bhasan, heated conversation between me and baba maa was almost regular every year. They used to say don’t go the ghat, come back when the pratima leaves our para. But I was always adamant,” shares Saswata with a heavy heart since he’s no longer associated in any puja these days. But one thing has remained constant and it’s the joy of festivity.
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However, the ‘Parcel’ actor feels because of the corona scare and the pandemic it seems we are far away from the joy of pandal hopping or the endless adda with close ones during puja. “Those who will go out during puja and want to celebrate please don’t forget to wear masks. If you are visiting pandals or come close to unknown person please maintain social distance and wearing a mask is a must. If the situation escalates, the COVID cases rise again then the government will have no other option but to again restrict everything or impose a complete lockdown and it will ruin the Puja. So, maintain all the precautionary measures and stay safe to enjoy the festivities,” added the actor whose film ‘Hobu Chandra Raja Gobu Chandra Mantri’ will release during Durga Puja this year.