Voices of Bengal

In an earlier post I briefly mentioned about making of Durga protima in London's British Museum. The idol - now complete - is for London Durga Puja Dusserah Committee, to be worshipped at Camden Center. The high point is extra-ordinary interest among visitors to British Museum to see 'live' manufacturing of the protima from mid-August by clay artisans camping there from Krishnanagar. Click here to see how the work progressed through one and a half month.

But perhaps the immeasurable moment will come when the protima is taken out in a procession for bisarjan at the river Thames. Accompanied by enchanting rhythmic beats of dhaks, this event will forever remain a moment to savor for Londoners and Indians/Bengalis residing there.

Talking of dhak, here is a small video clipping by NB Das of dhakis playing on Sep 14 at the forecourt of British Museum. Here's what he has to say about the clipping:

Dhak players from Mursidabad outside the front of the British Museum as part of their Voices of Bengal festival. It's taken on my phone so the picture quality is a bit rubbish, but you can hear the all important rhythm that gives the puja mood.

And in case you feel you want to have a good view of how dhakis (drummers) go about it (while listening to Das' clipping), here it is.


Dhakis performing at Phalguni Sangha puja, Ballygunge. (Picture source)