What are some pujo gifts that stayed with you?

Samudra: Growing up, the highlight of every Durga Pujo was receiving gifts, such as notun jama (new clothes), sweets, and pujor hath khocha (money received from elders to spend at the festival). I still remember the happy feeling of receiving gifts from my grandma on a Sashti morning. Somewhere along the way, I found myself on the other side: the one giving gifts, carrying forward the same joy I once received. It’s a feeling everyone experiences at some point. What are some pujo gifts that stayed with you?

Deepshikha: A blue dress stitched by my mother; I wish I still had it. I think I was too small to think of keeping it as a remembrance.

Jayeeta: For me, it is the pujo menu that ma used to prepare for us during those pujo days. I continue to similarly cook for pujo today.

Samudra: Indeed, pujo ar khabar (food for the puja) is one of the greatest gifts by our mothers and grandmothers. 

Jayeeta: Exactly, I miss that plastic chutney on Sasthi every year with luchi.

Dyuti: Kagojer bashi, bata ar mukhosh, and cap bondook!

Purba: Pujor khabar ar dashami at Mamar Bari. Everything was made by my mother, who was a school teacher. She used to make these during the festive break, and continues to make some of them at the age of 87! Here’s her menu: daaler barfi, chandrapuli, narkel naru, kucho nimki, diamond nimki, ranga aloor pantua, and jibe gaja.

Samudra: Some of these sweets are also prepared for Lokkhi pujo. I have some fond memories growing up at Mamar Bari. Especially freshly made naru and chandrapuli.

Prapti: My dida used to make lovely chinir naru for Lokkhi pujo. I miss those days. Growing up, each gift was always cherished, especially pujor notun jama kapor (new clothes for puja). I always used to cherish the ‘Anandamela’ magazine gifted by my mom every year. Apart from dresses, shoes and, of course, cap bonduk.

Farzana: Some childhood memories never really leave us. During the October puja holidays, we would visit our Manir Baari in Begbagan, Kolkata. Evenings meant Park Circus Maidan Mela one day and New Market the next. Phuchka, kebab roll, Aminia’s firni, Nani’s abjosh pulao, those simple packet chips and, of course, comic books. My Nana, who worked in Saudi Arabia, would bring us a big bucketful of pistachios, and Aminia’s firni—the first time I tasted both!