Lucknow: The historic Bengali Club & Youngmen’s Association, Lucknow, is preparing to host its 112th Shree Shree Durga Puja from Oct 16 to 20, with an expanded programme highlighting Bengali culture, music and community traditions.This year, organisers have announced a special cinematic theme: ‘100 years of the great Bengali actor Mahanayak Uttam Kumar’.The Puja pandal will be designed to reflect the life and legacy of the screen icon, while the soundscape for visitors will feature evergreen songs from Uttam Kumar’s best-known films, aiming to create a nostalgic cultural setting alongside the religious observances.The Bengali Club Durga Puja holds a distinctive place in the city’s cultural history. Founded in 1914 by Atul Krishna Sinha, it is regarded as Lucknow’s first Sarvajanin Durga Puja, a tradition that has continued uninterrupted for 112 years. Club general secretary Trisha Sinha, who is also the great-granddaughter of founder Atul Krishna Sinha, said the long-running celebration has become an important part of Lucknow’s heritage.Events will open with Anando Mela on Oct 14 at 6 pm, bringing together members, families and visitors for an evening centred on traditional Bengali food and festivities.A key spiritual highlight will be the historic Chandi Path, ‘Mahishasura Mardini,’ a practice at Bengali Club since 1964. The recitation will be held on Oct 16 at 4 am, continuing a pre-dawn tradition that has been observed for more than six decades.To add traditional rhythm to the rituals, Dhakis from Malda will perform during the Puja. The Kolkata-based cultural team “PALAK” will present programmes on Oct 16, 17 and 19 featuring Bengali music, dance and stage performances. The club will also emphasise Lucknow’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, including a Shehnai Vadan presentation on Oct 18.Bengali Club president Arun Kumar Banerjee said the combined presence of Dhak and Shehnai would be a special attraction this year. Another major crowd-puller is expected to be the Dhunuchi dance, to be performed by a dedicated team from the club on Maha Navami.The celebrations will conclude with Visarjan on the club premises on Oct 21 at 4 pm.
