Saraswati Puja at Columbus

A myriad of thoughts cross my mind when I sit back and think about the last three Saraswati Pujas at The Ohio State University (OSU). What started as a trickle is now a very elegantly flowing stream. Accolades to a handful of students who started this nice tradition. Reminds me of an Urdu shayari, which I dedicate to them,

Main akela hi chala tha, jaani-be manzil ki taraf.
Log aate gaye aur karwa banta gaya.

The first one, February 2008 Puja came as a whiff of warm breeze in the cold of the winter. I have only a second hand account of details that went in the preparations of the first version. But considering the large number of Bengalis that were involved, I can only imagine how tumultuous it would have been. I was invited to the event by a very beautiful girl with whom I fell in love with as time went by. And with whom I am going to spend the rest of my life. I have to say, there is something about Vasant Panchami that lends an amorous disposition in the air which is irresistible at times.

Of the many memories from 2008, a few remain crystal clear. Girls in beautiful sarees and salwaar-kameez. The Puja place at 1451-F and the sea of fruits and Prasadams around the Goddess. A roomful of friends. Hushed silence during Puja. The cacophony afterwards. And a nice beam of winter sun cascading through the window and creating a surreal aura that made the environment so memorable. The “core committee” had also organized a simple lunch at 1550-A. Khichdee and Aalu Choka. May be there was "paapod" and “dohi” as some would pronounce.

A few more observations, of personal nature, could not escape the notice of some of us who are more keen students of chemistry between two individuals about to fall in love or about to get the disappointment of their life. Some relationships were being endorsed (sic), others were being conceived, some in inception stage while some were being nipped in the bud. In words of Walter Scott "Oh, what a tangled web we weave". These sensitive matters are better left half insinuated, for the truth is very acerbic sometimes and often stranger than fiction. (Don’t go by my guileless looks. I am BAD if I choose to be.)

Fast forward to 2009. I was not in the decision making body but did a hell lot of cooking. Desire for proximity to “close” friend(s) can make you do wonders. I am sure you know what I mean. It was another successful Puja. Lots of exotic cooking and more people. Puja was again at 1451-F but I think food was served at 1466-E. My mango lassi was a big hit. With growing size, practical obstacles (read human ego) had to come in play. The person, who single-handedly guided and made khichdi for everyone the previous year, suddenly got very busy with research. And this year, (he/she/it) got so busy that (he/she/it) had no time to read innocuous emails and wanted to be taken out of email list. You don’t expect this from 40 years olds. It’s funny what people can do to get some attention. Vanity rules, man. I am sure the girls in particular will agree. Satya bachan, kuon?

One incident which became the conversation of the year stands out. It is the ultimate story of human frustaapaa. A certain gentleman (lets call him Mr X or Mr F-X, where F denotes frust) showed up at Puja place three hours before the event and started throwing impertinent glances at the very feminine inmates of the house. Other “mature” male members had left the girls at the mercy of a stranger. Forgive my incompetence in coming up with a better phrase for the imprudence shown by that very ungentlemanly gentleman. But the only one which keeps coming to me is “If eyes could x-ray scan?" Boy, I can only wonder what the scene there would have been. Months later, a girl very innocently asked me “Anand- Ek baat poochoon? Kya Mr F-X ladki ke liye bahut despo hai?” I cannot help cracking up badly even now, thinking about that incident. Bechara. Badnaam ho gaya hai. Mithun da ne ek movie banayee thee – Muzrim. Uska ek gaana yaad aa gaya. “Muzrim naa kehna, mujhe logon. Muzrim to saara Zamana hai. Jo pakda gaya wo chor hai ( read despo hai) , jo bach gaya wo khidali hai”. Ha ha ha. If only I was free to divulge about other despos in campus, far worse than Mr F-X.

Finally, after two years as guest and grass-root worker, in 2010 I was given the privilege of being in the “core committee”, perhaps as an oversight, may be as a diversity candidate. Only time will reveal it. The event is being hijacked by Bengalis. But they are doing a good job. In retrospect, being part of “polit-buro” ( as articulated by a budding member) was a bad idea. It gave me financial trauma when the audit was done. Not to talk of the “immense” emotional and physical trauma during the course of planning and execution [ ref needed ;-) ]. But I enjoyed it. And felt like I was continuing the legacy which may become OSU folklore in the years to come. This one was a huge one. And kudos to all the people involved. Salaam. Salute to your enthusiasm and desire to rise above personal egos/bickerings/faux-pas/jealousy/stubbornness/lethargy and make it happen in such an awesome way. Will dedicate a separate blog for the 2010 version. I will have lots of words of praise for the “show”. And of course, I will criticize a few things. And make some recommendations so that ye Prampara jari rahei. Patta nahin kuon, suddenly abhi Mohabbatein ka Amitabh yaad gaya? Ab Amitabh yaad aaya to Shahruk kehan se door hoga,

“M m m m Maaf kijiyega Sir, jehan se main dhek reha hoon, ….”

So long, Anand