Kolkata, Sept. 26 -- As the Durga puja festival begins on Sunday in Kolkata's Machuabazar, the spotlight is on the Bengali language with this year's theme: "Ami Banglai Bolchi"- I am speaking in Bengali.
For its 81st consecutive year, the Chaltabagan Sarbojanin puja committee has chosen a theme that reflects both the cultural richness and contemporary relevance of the language, particularly at a time when Bengali-speaking communities have allegedly faced indignities in various parts of the country.
When reflecting on the theme, the pandal artist Pradipta Karmakar told UNI, "When I started planning this project, two things immediately inspired me. The puja is held on D.L. Roy Road and our club operates from the former house of poet Dwijend...