A Pivotal Part of Bengali Literature and Cultural Heritage

 

Puja Sankhya is always regarded as the pivot of Bengali language and culture. Every year prior to Durga Puja, Puja Sankhya is issued. The Puja Sankhya is brought out by the leading publications of Kolkata.  Throughout the year Bengalis pass through vicissitudes of life. The role of Puja Sankhya is so profound which act as a high breed motivating factor in our life. I like others always feel that glancing over modern Bengali literature will be a cakewalk for our rejuvenation from a state of frustration to a state of energy and dynamism. Human beings badly require this facet of life.

Now we find that human life is full of strain and stress. It is not at all illogical. The key issue which throngs our mind is massive financial constraints. It has become a common endemic in all middle class and upper middle class families of West Bengal. But still the craze for Puja Sankhya remains unending.

It is also the occurrence of Covid-19 since the year 2019 till 2022, citizens of West Bengal have retarded our inclination to read Puja Sankhyas. It was like rest of India, West Bengal was in the midst of severe financial crisis. On account of the above occurrence the citizens did not have the opportunity to buy Puja Sankhyas. Apart from the occurrence of Covid-19, due to other reasons like sever political and economic disturbances, the craze for studying various Puja Sankhya by the younger, middle aged and aged generations of the state have been badly retarded.

It is well known to us that Bengalis have the natural eagerness to read various Puja Sankhya. Those who are versatile in their respective subjects, they are very eager to read short stories, novels and essays brought out in various Puja Sankhya. In this regard, Bengalis who are based in West Bengal, Bangladesh, other parts of India as well as in other parts of the globe. In this regard, the motto of the Bengalis are that they are not eager to lose their identity. To be more elaborate we find that developing a firm grip over mother language Bengali will be helpful to have firm grip over English, national language Hindi as well as over other foreign languages of the globe.

That is the reason for which Puja Sankhya during Durga Puja in West Bengal, other parts of India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe occupies important place in our culture. If we delve into details regarding historical background of Puja Sankhya. To be explicit in my views, Puja Sankhya is deeply inclined with Durga Puja.

In this paragraph, if I analyze about the foundation phase of Puja Sankhya. Then we find that it was during the year 1872 first Puja number or Puja Barshiki was published. ‘Sulabh Samachar’, a weekly newspaper was founded and edited by Brahmananda Keshab Chandra Sen, published its first Puja number or Puja Barshiki in the above year being named as ‘Chutir Sulhabh’. Later on other vernacular newspapers like Sadhana, Bharatbarsha, Bangabani, Ananda Bazar Patrika, Bartaman, Aajkal, Dainik Statesman, The Statesman, Patrabharati etc various other publications of erstwhile Bengal and later West Bengal started publishing Puja numbers every year on a war footing.

Apart from the historical aspect, Puja Sankhya or Puja Number has its psychological impact upon Bengalis in W.B as well as in other parts of the globe. In all Puja Sankhyas or Puja Numbers we find that the events which occurred during the bygone years of life are well depicted. Bengalis also suffer from multiple complications in their life during the past one year. By glancing over Puja Sankhyas or Puja Numbers we could at least refresh gluttony in our life. So that in the coming one year, we at least achieve our coveted goals in life.

Though we are in the midst of tumultuous moments. But we must be strong and sturdy enough so that we never lose our momentum in life. The influence of Puja Sankhya among Bengalis will always treated as life pulse. Various types of writings appear in different Puja Sankhyas. Such as short story, novels, essays and writings of reputed figures whose collections are edited by modern writers. Despite all the odds I feel that Puja Sankhyas have its deep impact on human life. Below let examine the impact of Puja Sankhyas on our life.

Puja Sankhyas along with Durga Puja cast deep impact upon human life. Thus the different impact of Puja Sankhyas are stated as such, it envision our mind, it opens our doorstep and mind to all nook and corners of the globe and finally Puja Sankhyas motivate us to treat humanity with utmost sympathy.

Advantages of Puja Sankhyas are stated as such, it helps in the flourishing of language in both Bengali and English, puja sankhyas also help us in character building of Bengalis of West Bengal, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe and finally it bridges the gap between our native land with people of other parts of India plus rest of the globe.

Summing up the above views. That Puja Sankhyas in West Bengal will always remain relevant plus it is an asset in the development of our societies. This we cannot deny from the core of our mind and heart.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.