Mumbai, 27th September, 2017: Maitree Cultural Association successfully inaugurated the 4th edition of Sarbojanin Durgotsav at Swagat Park, on Link Road, Malad (West) opposite Goregaon Sports Club. The day of Shubho Shasti witnessed a good number visitor and also, was visited like every year by some prominent celebrities.
Renowned film director Shri Anurag Basu and the Bollywood musical maestro Pritam Chakravorty’s mother also graced the event.
These esteemed guests did the auspicious Deep Prajwalan, (lighting of the traditional lamp), which also signifies the celebration of Good Over Evil and annihilating the darkness of ignorance and hatred, with the gracious blessings of Maa Durga.
The centre piece of the day was a scintillating performance by “Saptasur”, which means the seven notes in Bengali, a well-known group which brings forward a mellifluous and eclectic mix of Bengali and Hindi songs accompanied by popular folk dances.
One very unique feature of the puja is the “sit-down” pure vegetarian delicious traditional Bengali Bhog Lunch, absolutely free, it is served and personally supervised by all the Executive members of the Puja committee, on all the three days of Maha Shaptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Nabami. We treat each and every visitor who sits for the bhog with the cordiality of a personal guest and thus, this unique lunch is an absolute must visit for everyone.
Maitree Cultural Association is honoured to receive special Durgapuja greetings from our Hon. President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, stating the message that “Durga Puja is also a festival that cherishes the love we feel for the daughters in our families. “
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Shyamashis Bhattacharya, Founder and President of Maitree Cultural Association, said “We not only usher in the celebrative mood of this flagship festival but we also, right from our inception in 2014 , always stand by and support the causes for a cohesive community building by providing a very unique platform to exhibit the noble initiatives and also the wonderful crafts made by several NGOs like Goonj, Kalyani Charitable Trust, Sashi Mangalyam Education Society this year. On receiving affirmative responses from the masses in our previous editions, we are looking forward to see more enthusiastic visitors in the coming days to support our causes.”
Mr. Anurag Basu jubilantly said, “Durgotsav is such a beautiful time of the year, festive spirits bring friends and family together binding everyone culturally. It is festival that celebrates the core strength of womanhood and displays the various roles a woman can successfully render with endurance and honour.”
Mr. Subhankar Dutt summed it up by saying, “The core ethos of the Durgotsav is to keep the traditional charm of the story behind it alive, where the Mother Goddess Durga visits her parental home this time of the year, all the way from Mahadev’s abode Kailash, along with her four children, which then ushers in a magical environment of exuberance, great positivity, bonding with all ages, spreading love and warmth, following some very interesting customs and rituals and of course a time for grand celebration for one and all.”
About Maitree Cultural Association (MCA) is a non-profit organization, formed in 2014 with the intention of enhancing cultural, artistic and social experience through activities which in turn will build a conscientious generation next.
Committed to working together without any bias towards caste, creed, language or gender, we have utilized our funds towards organising several social, cultural and educational events throughout the year that attracts hundreds of families from within the community. Some of the events organized so far include conducting Art Workshop, Song, Dance & Draw workshop, Flower Rangoli Workshop, Rakhi Making Workshop at Divya Prabha -Home for Girls in Distress, Desire Society – Home for Orphan Children, holding Recitation and Drawing Competitions for the children in the area of dance and music, providing a platform for amateur actors as well as publishing the creations of aspiring young poets and writers.
MCA is guided by people who are eminent personalities in their own field and is driven by the enthusiasm of its dedicated members. In our fast paced modern life, we at Maitree Cultural Association have made our humble effort to reconnect ourselves and especially our next generation to our roots, our traditions, our folk art & culture, our ethnicity and our deep values, things that somehow take the back seat at times against our unending material desires.