67/100. Pujo time is Kolkata time. Whenever I have had to be away from Kolkata during Pujo, it has been like a physical pain, like a hole in my heart.

It was as if my calendar was incomplete. Because, like every other Bengali, I date things in relation to the Pujos. Everything is before Pujo or after. Those five days are our reference point.

But this year, though we spent Pujo away from Kolkata, my heart felt whole. Yes, we were in Pune instead of Kolkata. And that too, only for Nabami. But we did everything that’s mandatory during Pujo. We sat in the pandal, admiring Durga Ma in all her glory. We checked out the sarees and clothes on show. We sat and listened to association members sing their hearts out at the cultural programme – some in tune, some not. We had cups of tea and we stood in queue at the food stalls for our chosen delicacy.

I don’t have to think too hard to figure out the reason. It was because we felt at home. Because, we were with friends who are family. Rituparna is my friend from school, and has already featured in my pact along with Rayna, her daughter. Rayna and my son are like siblings – they connected in an instant. Rituparna and her family opened their home to us and their hearts. And in the process, ensured we didn’t even think about Kolkata Pujo for an instant.

Rituparna is wearing a rich blue and maroon South silk, and I am in a simple cotton mauve Bengal batik. Rayna is in a blue ghagra choli, bought especially to match Rio’s blue kurta. And of course, we are all wearing our brightest smiles. 🙂