Durga Puja dhakis preserve Bengal's rich heritage
Watching mesmerised as the purohit at a friend's Durga Puja rhythmically waved the silver oil lamp with multiple wicks before the goddess, and then in succession, a silver camphor lamp, incense sticks, red cloth, conch shell, flowers and a silver-handled fly-whisk while incessantly ringing a bell with his other hand, I noticed that the dhak-drum beats changed subtly at every phase of the arati. For the first time I figured the dhaki (drummer) was doing a duet with the priest.A few days later, an old friend recounted that she was sitting in a puja pandal in the longish, quiet interregnum between the end of bhog (community lunch to partake of what was also offered to the Goddess) and the beginning of preparation for the evening arati, when the dhaki suddenly struck up a beat with his drum. The pandal was empty, with even the priest and helpers probably catching forty winks before the evening's prayers. So, who was this serenade for?Also Read: India lifted 496 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, says World BankFor Her, of course, the drummer told her with a smile. I have respectfully reminded her that it is time to awaken. I have also drummed out the message that evening arati will soon commence. He then proceeded to tell her that dhakis have many different beats, each for a specific aspect of the puja. To uninitiated ears, they may sound like just any set of percussive tunes, but their 'bols' (sounds) are like mantras, perfectly complementing the priest's incantations.Like most, if not all, Bengalis, my friend and I love the heart-thumping sound of West Bengal's traditional large dhak drums. They not only joyfully herald the advent of the Goddess long before she can actually be seen arriving at her maternal home, they also devotedly accompany every ritual of Her worship for four days and dolefully sound her inevitable retreat: the long journey back to her husband Shiva in the Himalayas. They are her faithful minstrels.Also Read: India to conduct population census from January 25 to February 28, 2027; March 1 set as reference dateTherefore, the men (and now also women) whose strong hands and arms provide the rhythmic vocabulary through skilled use of two bamboo canes, are very crucial to Durga Puja celebrations. Yet very few of the thousands who flock to the pandals to admire and seek Her blessings pay much attention to the dhakis and what their drums are actually saying. Few note the change in beat and cadence. For many, they are just background music, a kind of white noise.Women dhakis, of late, have got a lot of publicity in many Indian cities, with many puja committees specifically seeking them out - often to enhance their inclusive credentials. Not many go further and ask those women (and men) the significance of the beats they play when, and why. My perceptive friend is an exception. And the answers she got were eye-openers. Their's is a labour of love, time they take out annually from their life as farmers to play for Her.The semiotic language they serenade Her with has been passed down generations, and even the youngest dhakis are hopefully conversant with it too. It is not enough for them to simply know all the rhythmic beats; they must also remember what to play when and why. Before the advent of modern telecommunications made so many traditional ways of sending messages over long distances redundant, drums were the equivalent of the town crier if not the telegraph and radio too.Every aspect of religio-cultural events like Durga Puja has relevance, even if most of us scarcely notice most of them. The semiotic language of the dhakis and drums are one such. Their profession is seeing a revival so younger people are taking it up, but many other puja-associated arts and crafts are down to their last practitioners. Those who appreciate and understand these facets of intangible heritage are even fewer. It's never too late to listen, ask and learn....
West Bengal to Establish Magic School and Museum to Preserve Magical Heritage
West Bengal plans to set up a magic school and museum to promote and preserve its rich magical heritage for future generations. West Bengal to Establish Magic School and Museum to Preserve Magical Heritage
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Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) People travelling from West Bengal to Vadodara in Gujarat to participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations were brutally assaulted by hawkers at the Bhusaval station in Maharashtra on Friday. The railway police at Bhusaval confirmed that a complaint has been lodged and several people have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway, an official said. We were in a group of 99 people from the Jhargram district in West Bengal, selected by the district administration to travel by a special train to Vadodara for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31. When the train stopped at the Bhusaval station, some of us decided to get out and stretch our legs as it had been a long journey, said Nirmalendu Mahato. He, along with his daughter, purchased some bananas from the platform. While Mahato remained outside, the girl went inside the compartment to keep the bananas near their luggage. Trouble started after she rejoined her father on the platform and Mahato started videographing the surroundings. We had heard a lot about Bhusaval and its bananas, so it was only natural for me to make a video. There were some hawkers around, but it was not my idea to focus on them. Suddenly, an elderly man approached me from behind and asked me harshly to stop making the video. I asked him the reason, when four others approached. Realising that they were out there to create trouble, I turned to send my daughter back into the compartment. This was when they pushed me from behind, Mahato said. His co-passengers noticed the incident and accosted the hawkers, resulting in a minor scuffle. The team from Jhargram, which comprises police and administrative officers from the district, then approached the elderly man who had started the whole thing. When he was asked why he started the whole ruckus, the man left. We believed that was the end of the matter. However, he returned in a few minutes with over 20 men and started assaulting us. At least a dozen members of our group received injuries to their faces, shoulders, backs, and other parts of the body. We somehow managed to get into the train and get in touch with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mahato said. The injured, including Mahato, received treatment at the next station, where a complaint was also registered by the railway police. After reaching Vadodara, they were taken to a hospital for medical examination. On the evening of October 30, senior police officers from Bhusaval reached Vadodara and spoke to us in detail. A DSP of West Bengal Police, who was part of our group, also provided details. We were told that seven of the miscreants have been identified and detained. More people will be booked as the investigation progresses, we were told, Mahato said. According to a senior police official, it was the handiwork of illegal hawkers against whom Central Railway has been taking steps for the last few months. Several hundred illegal hawkers have been identified and removed from stations in that area. However, they keep on returning to the stations on the sly. It seems that they were scared that their activities would get recorded when the video was being made and attacked the passengers, the official said. Whatever the reason, the incident has left a bad taste in the mouth for Mahato and the others, who had left home so happily, proud to be part of the national event, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Bengal govt to set up magic school and museum on history of magic
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) A full-fledged magic school is going to be set up in the state to bring the magic art of West Bengal to the new generation, government officials said on Friday. In addition, a magic museum on the history of magic in Bengal will also be set up to preserve the long history of Bengali magic practice, rare equipment and the contributions of artists. Preparations for the implementation of this plan have begun under the initiative of the State Information and Cultural Affairs (I and CA) Department. The state government has formed an advisory committee to prepare the outline of this project. The country's eminent magician P.C. Sorcar (Junior) is the chief advisor of the committee. He has been joined by several other eminent people who have been associated with the magic art for a long time. Initial discussions have already started on how the school and museum plans will be implemented. The first formal meeting of the advisory committee was held at Nandan Auditorium in Kolkata on Friday. State Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Department (Independent Charge), Purnima Chakraborty, and Secretary of the Department Soumitra Mohan were present there. P.C. Sorcar (Junior), his wife Jayashree Sarkar and daughter magician Maneka Sarkar also joined the meeting. The meeting discussed the curriculum of the proposed magic school, the type of training, the infrastructure of the museum and the possible outline of the project implementation. The issue of establishing magic not only as stage entertainment, but also as an independent art and science-based practice also gained importance in the discussion. After the meeting, P.C. Sorcar (Junior) said that the history of Bengali magic is very rich and ancient and that tradition needs to be preserved in a scientific way. According to him, there is science, practice and special skills behind magic. If this initiative of the state government is implemented, the new generation will get the opportunity to choose magic as a profession. The school can also play an important role in creating interest in this art among the youth, he said. One of the goals of the proposed magic museum is to preserve the history of magic practice in Bengal. According to the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, there are plans to preserve the lives and work of prominent magicians of Bengal, the history of different stages of magic, rare equipment used, old clothes and ancient books. Through this, visitors and researchers will get the opportunity to learn about the evolution of the art of magic and the techniques used at different times. On the other hand, there is a plan to provide training to experienced magicians in the magic school. A specific curriculum may also be created for that training. In addition to teaching magic techniques, there are plans to provide lessons on stage presentation, sleight of hand, holding the audience's attention and the science behind magic. Purnima Chakraborty, Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Department, said that the aim of this initiative is to institutionalise the ancient arts of Bengal. According to Chakraborty, the state has always given importance to the practice of art and culture. If a magic school and museum are established, it will be possible to present this tradition to future generations in a more comprehensive manner, she said.
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Authorities warn of potential flooding in West Bengal and Assam after a glacial lake burst in Bhutan, prompting precautionary measures. Flash Flood Warning Issued for West Bengal and Assam Following Glacial Lake Outburst in Bhutan
State authorities across Northern West Bengal and Assam were placed on high alert on Friday, October 30, 2026, following a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at the Shintaphu glacial lake in northwestern Bhutans Gasa district. The burst occurred below Wakila Mountain, sending a rapid surge of water into the upper reaches of the Punatsangchhu river [] The post Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Triggers High Alert in West Bengal and Assam; Jal Shakti Ministry Issues Sankosh River Warning appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
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A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan has triggered a high flood alert in parts of northern West Bengal, prompting evacuations in areas along the Sankosh river and its tributaries amid fears of a sudden rise in water levels, officials
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Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Triggers Flash Flood Alerts In West Bengal And Assam
Glacial Lake Outburst In Bhutan, Assam And West Bengal On High Alert For Flash Floods
The outburst at Sintaphu Lake in Bhutan's Mochu sub-basin reportedly released approximately 7.4 million cubic metres of water.
A major glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan's high-altitude region has triggered flood warning in several districts of Assam, West Bengal. The outburst was reported from the Sintaphu Lake on Thursday night, prompting a...
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Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Triggers High Alerts in Assam and West Bengal
Siliguri, October 30 : Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) concerns have prompted heightened vigilance in low-lying areas of Assam and West Bengal following reports of a major glacial flood event in the high-altitude Himalayan region of Bhutan. Authorities are monitoring transboundary rivers amid fears that sudden increases in water levels could threaten downstream settlements, [] The post Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Triggers High Alerts in Assam and West Bengal appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
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Centre approves Rs 430cr for dredging at Kolkata, Haldia ports
Shocked to hear about attack on JU, freedom from violence is a right that we all share: Amartya Sen
State will review HS sem system: Min
Stabilty cert must for Kali Puja pandals
MBBS exam change: CCTV, frisking of students back
SRFTI students union writes to VC on cop presence, intimidation
Alert sounded in Alipurduar after Bhutan lake outburst
West Bengal bars new teachers from contesting elections
The move, aimed to improve quality of education in State-run and aided schools, has sparked criticism from several teachers associations
Bengal: Revenue Inspector arrested in Aushgram bribery case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Investigators from the West Bengal Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a state government revenue inspector on Wednesday evening for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000 to issue an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate in East Burdwan district, an official confirmed on Thursday. The accused official, posted at the Land and Land Reforms Office in Aushgram, was apprehended during a trap operation following persistent complaints from residents regarding illicit extortion and bribery at the office. According to ACB officials, the agency launched an investigation after receiving a specific complaint detailing that the revenue inspector had demanded Rs 4,000 as a bribe to process an official EWS certificate. Acting on the complaint, a special team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau laid a trap at the Aushgram Land and Land Reforms Office on Wednesday evening. ACB officers executed a sudden raid on the premises and caught the official red-handed at the exact moment he accepted the bribe money from the complainant. The surprise raid caused brief commotion across the government facility. The ACB has initiated formal legal proceedings under specific sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the arrested employee. Investigators are currently probing whether other officials or network links within the department are involved in similar corrupt practices. Underlining its zero-tolerance stance against public sector extortion, the ACB issued a statement affirming that strict enforcement measures will be intensified across state departments to ensure transparent, bribe-free government service delivery for citizens.
West Bengal Considers One Class, One Teacher Policy for Primary Schools
West Bengal plans to implement a One Class, One Teacher policy to enhance education quality in primary schools starting next academic year. West Bengal Considers One Class, One Teacher Policy for Primary Schools
Invariz partners with IEM Kolkata to launch AI centre of excellence
Calcutta HC declines to intervene in case against KMC delimitation
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to intervene in a case challenging the delimitation of wards under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), which is scheduled to go for polls by the year-end. As per the draft delimitation proposal, the number wards under the KMC are slated to be increased to 209 from the current figure of 144. A petition was filed at the Calcutta High Court earlier this month challenging the basis of the delimitation proposals, where the petitioner claimed that the delimitation exercise was not conducted as per the prescribed rules. The matter came up for hearing on Thursday at the bench of Justice Hiranmaya Bhattacharya and at the end of the hearing his bench refused to intervene in the matter for the time being. However, Justice Bhattacharya did not reject the petition altogether and instead directed both the West Bengal government and petitioners to file their respective affidavits in the matter. As per the court's order on Thursday, the state government should file its affidavit in the matter within the next four weeks, and the petitioner will file its counter affidavit in the matter within two weeks from the time the state government will file its affidavit. The matter will come up for hearing again after six weeks following which the court will receive affidavits from both the parties. The polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including that of KMC is likely in December this year. Before that, complications arose over the ward realignment. Many thought that the impasse would be resolved after Thursday's hearing. Now with the court refusing to intervene in the matter for now, the decision on ward realignment remains in place. The petition challenging the delimitation had claimed that reasonable adjustments were not made in the redrawing of ward boundaries and factors like population, geographical location and administrative consistency of the wards were not properly considered in the delimitation process. The petitioner also questioned the rationale behind the delimitation.
Slain BJP councillors father alleges death threats
