A Bioscope of Olympus FX 150.

Back in August 2006, it came into my grasp after paying off Rs 11,500/- only. The big occasion would seldom go missing for a freaky photographer like me, who go by the mood. I give a self reckon to my skill as Mood-o-grapher, rather than a photographer or better say Mooderaman rather than a camera-man. Thats my way of thinking, and unlike my photoes which receive a stamp of authority, undersigned my name, I will keep the terms at common...for common use. May be after five years Oxford or Cambridge will fetch these two terms as their then "latest" amendments. Will love that though...

The big events that my camera covered or being with me are mostly spanned through the Pujas since 2006. This year, it shall be covering its 5th year, year, I have certain plans. Last year, the plans were little bamboozled by the rains and little lethargy (as I was in a corporate world, so its understood). This year, I need not mention that the work load has decreased, but the monotony that was there in the last year's job profile has gone as its more of the brain and less of the cash train! Like... "If you miss the train I am on.... * you will know the CASH has gone ... You will hear you boss shout... a 100 miles *..." Well a little innovation from my lack lustre music data base! ;-)

The year 2009, a year where lethargy maintained the Pujas. not very much roaming...just lazying around with my friends. Amongst the most memorable time that I spent was along the banks of the Ganges (Hoogli), in Princep Ghat. Always wanted to snap the Roman styled monument, with the Modern marvel of the Vidyasagar Setu in the back drop. As I wished, I got some... two days...and it was full of satisfaction.

Pujas 2009. Collage via Picasa 3.0

Faded, the memories will remain bright with then promised drink from Sanga at One Step Up at Park Street. To me, it was nothing more than luxury, coz when its festive  mood, I like to twirl the golden rum, ON THE ROCKS! So we had.... followed by something un-usual, finishing dinner at KFC! God...I must have had been out of my minds! We were....

A year more, I had one of the most appreciative picto-puja, the retro way. Styled the least... moved out the most, spanning from North Calcutta to South. Nothing...and I literally mean nothing was left un-touched. But yes, I would rue that this was the only puja, since I was in Standard XI, that I had lived through without meeting S5 or the members for once. Some how, the gang never met up! But yes, I had new friends and new company. As part of the appreciation, the folks in States relished the Kolkata Pujas through my lens... I had hoped to be in the same line in 2009, but I hoped too much and may be luck never let me capitalize!

  Pujas 2008 Collage Via Picasa 3.0

Sephia.... not vagued.

I remember 2007 as one of the most exciting Pujas of my life. Some how the snaps have gone missing, but Pujas 2007 excitement will never be. I, for the first time participated in a Stage Drama show during the Pujas. Its not new that I have been involved in this somehow...but during the Pujas...gave me the Victorian Thoughts of Drama- artists of yesteryears, acting out some entertainment for the Art-loving Bengalis. Thanks to Ankita's  residential complex to give us the opportunity to act Birinchibaba, on Saptami. I have some snaps from the rehearsals, which I am keeping as a reminiscence of Pujas, 2007.

Pujas 2007 Collage Via Picasa 3.0

Love....

Well, my digital romance started from 2006. The first Pujas and the largest images on display in this article through the collages, Pujas 2006 was a juncture between my Presidency Years and my M.Sc Years. The joint had the remnants of B.Sc with college friends going out for the last time. I remember Khotu's comment when she was in US, as that she missed my Conducted Pujas Tour through the serpentine lanes of North Kolkata. Behala and parts of South Calcutta had already been organizing good Pujas, but believe me, I never ventured past Ekdalia and Singhi Park... reservations: Didnt know the Serpentine lanes; literally speaking, South Kolkata lacks them very much.

Pujas 2006.

The battle between the North and South shall prevail. But this pujas, 2010... I will try to hop back into my 2006 shoes and span the Kolkata...for the sake of the taste of the festivals...for I think... chances for next time should never be taken!!!

I will miss S5... :(

My Schedule...

This is for the people and my friends, who can visit my orkut profile or a recently uploaded and linked in online album to get a look of the various pujas that I have for you. It will be, in short, a complete Puja Parikrama.

Some of the biggest names to be completed, but this time round, if the rain gods permit, I think I would penetrate the suburbs and the village pujas, just for the essence of puja!

Saptami: Morning ~ Behala Parikrama. Evening ~ Rashbehari & Kasba.
Astumi: Morning ~ Central & North Kolkata. Evening ~ South East Kolkata [Park Circus /Ballygunge]
Nabami: Not decided ~ but may go to Garia and beyond.
Dasami: The sad tunes of an end and a happy tunes of hope ~ Bhasan @ Babughat!

Think this will cover up every alley! Eh?

Season's Greetings...

I am bit busy now a days, to increase my ratings and bring back those readers who once came and peeped through my thoughts!

In the course of the day, I was searching something productive to be posted. The days are ahead with the festive season coming upfront and one of the biggest festival is on it's way: The Durga Pujas. I wanted to wish my fellow bloggers and all trhe people around the world about Happy Pujas, or as per as the bengali colloqui goes, "Sarodiyar Preeti o Suveccha". I tried to post a greetings card here and so I proceeded: " Pujas Greetings + HTML Code". Google gave me thousands of option but 123 is relied upon always and hence I came up to this link to budge me out of the place of unknown: Embedding a e-card in my blog. The site: http://www.123greetings.com/events

I click on to Share Options and here is what I have for you:

Perplexing!!!!

I have never been so perplexed. This is the fourth time I am completely editing an article. Initially this article started off with bashing Mr. Kapil Sibal, Honrb'l Union Minister of Education for Reforming the education system in India, which I believe is for the worse!

Then the hype of the tour to Gadiara came upfront, so I redirected the thoughts to that! A day before the scheduled tour, the tour gets cancelled and the post that I am editing was the one post cancellation ready to vent out the vexation! Frustation... Even one of my friend who is in a similar situation mentions in his Orkut Profile: thru d---'no memory' land!!!

But I always believe and look up for the positive, hence I will walk through the 'memory' path and recollect the last time I had a trip in the Durgostav with Sangbaran, one of the vibrant colours in S5!

It was way back in 2007. Back then, S5 was segregated by geography with Sourav @ Hyderabad while Sandip was @ Bangalore. Sangbaran was then an unemployed engineer with Soumillo working in company in Sector I, Kolkata and I was pursuing my M.Sc [1st year in Genetics], Kolkata.

The remnant S5 had planned a night-stay at Soumillo's place, but 1 week before the event to be held on then: Panchami, Sanga mentions that he would be off to Mangalore for a training in his newly acquired job....

Old memories! That makes that last time I had a tour with Sanga was in 2006. Infact back then Soumillo, Sourav and Sanga were present. I post some of those days... in Collage [courtesy Googz Picasa 3] to cherish the moments in the memories when one of my friend mentions out of frustation 'no memory' land. I see no in-justification towards his feelings. Anyways, have a look at the S5 Pics: Durga Pujas 2006. The party was on Panchami, 27th Sept'06.

Snippets of Pujas 2006. The Literal Last with S5.

Pujas Again... 2009.

Every year, this had always been a scheduled duty to remind the blog readers with the article entitled some where like this. "Pujo ese gelo.." or "Pujas are coming..."

Every year the occassion repeats, but has a new meaning. Some thing or the other changes in every one's life but the expectation of the festive season remains unchanged! Quoting a very good friend of mine from Presi Dayz, namely Moitreyi, who said Change is always constant! Today, I have a very different status to adore my belongings! Although my office will be open on Saptami i.e 25th of August, I shall be taking it off! Actually my Pujas had always started from Sasthi, the "sixth day", but this time round, this is ought to change!

After I got the licence to roam around alone, since 2001, for the past 5 years I have been engaged heavily with friends and close ones! In this transaction have always lost some quality time with my family, especially my mom. Hence this time around, I have planned that Saptami will be a morning tour with mom, to places in the morning as mom cannot withstand too much of commotion and the evening will be with one piece of the S5, Sangbaran. Asthumi and Nabami with friends, special people in my life and the way life shall continue!

Waiting for September 25th then... Pujas...Durga Pujas...please come with all the expected grandeur!!!