Kolkata, Oct. 14 -- Keeping the spirit of Bengal alive on foreign soil, the Bengali Association of Dallas-Fort Worth (BADFW), Texas, is set to celebrate its 43rd Durga Puja with the theme 'Gram Banglar Pote Mayer Agomoni', showcasing the rustic charm of rural Bengal and traditional patachitra art.
The celebrations will feature traditional rituals, including Bodhan, community Pushpanjali, Kumari Puja, Homa, Dhunuchi dance, evening aarti and Sindoor Khela.
Cultural programmes will bring together participants of all ages through dance, music and theatre.
Bollywood singer Ash King will be a major attraction, while artists travelling from India include Anjan Dutt and the musical duo Sourendro-Soumyojit.
The festivities will also offer a wide range of delicacies, including luchi, alur dom, khichuri, labra, payesh, fish fry, biryani and kosha mangsho. A special Mahalaya feast will feature luchi and alur dom.
In a first for the Dallas community, BADFW will organise a pre-Puja shopping fair featuring sarees, dhotis, Punjabi kurtas and other festive essentials.
The celebrations will conclude with a farewell procession for Goddess Durga, accompanied by music, dance and the beats of the dhak.
The association, led by president Soumendu Roy and general secretary Suprateem Ghosh, aims to preserve Bengali culture and traditions among the diaspora.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.