In 1989, the founding members of the Bengali Association of Victoria (BAV) achieved a major milestone by bringing the Durga Protima (idol) from India for the first Durga Puja celebrations in Melbourne.
This year’s Durga Puja celebration holds special meaning for BAV, one of the oldest Bengali associations. It represents a heartfelt return to cherished traditions while preparing for an eagerly awaited annual event in their cultural calendar.
Surashmi Chatterjee, the current president, announces that the festival will take place from 11 to 13 October at Gaelic Park in Keysborough.
“This is the longest-running Durga Puja celebration in Melbourne, and we are proud to be entering our 36th year. Over the decades, this festival has become a cherished tradition for the Bengali community and others, bringing families and friends together to celebrate our culture and heritage,” Chatterjee says.
Last year’s celebrations attracted over 1,100 attendees, and Pallavi Dasgupta, the cultural secretary of BAV, shares that this year’s event promises to be even larger. Both she and Chatterjee will guide the transition for new leadership in the future.
“We want this year’s pujas to be very inclusive and grand,” says Dasgupta.
The theme for this year’s cultural night on 12 October is “Melbourne at Tollywood,” celebrating the Bengali-language film industry.
“We have an incredible team of over 40 dancers who will showcase performances from the 1960s to the 2020s. We’ll revisit iconic figures like Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen while featuring current stars. The performances will blend disco, cabaret, and folk elements, all integral to Bengali cinema,” Dasgupta informs.
The pujas will follow tradition, taking place in the morning. On the 11th, the Shashti puja will occur, where Goddess Durga is placed on the podium. According to mythology, Maha Shashti is the day when Goddess Durga arrived on earth with her four children: Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya.
On the 12th, the Saptami and Ashtami pujas will start at 10 AM, followed by a cultural evening at 6:30 PM. On the 13th, the Nabami puja, Dashami, and aarti will take place.
“This is when you’ll witness the vibrant Sindoor Khela, where married women smear vermilion on each other’s faces and seek blessings from the Goddess. The evening aarti will also feature the Dhunuchi Naach, performed to the lively beats of the dhol as a gesture of thanks,” explains Dasgupta.
Food is an important part of the celebrations. Dasgupta emphasises that the team has carefully curated this year’s menu. “We’ll serve traditional dishes like khichuri, labra, and kosha mangsho, along with mung dal. We’re also excited to bring a taste of Kolkata’s Chinatown to Melbourne with veg Manchurian, fried rice, and chili chicken.”
Chatterjee reflects on the significance of Durga Puja celebrations in strengthening community bonds. “Despite the rise of different Durga Pujas in various suburbs and house celebrations, people still recognise that BAV is the oldest organisation. We are committed to preserving our cultural traditions. Here, everyone is welcome, and we actively reach out to newcomers and involve them in our celebrations.”
Having dedicated six years to serving BAV, including two terms as president, Chatterjee shares, “I have poured my heart and soul into this organisation, especially during the challenges of COVID-19. It has been my passion to work for the community.”
She continues, “Since 2019, we have embraced a culture of inclusiveness. Even during the pandemic, we made it a priority to engage with people both in person and online.”
Chatterjee highlights that BAV is open to all communities, showcasing their collaboration with vendors from various parts of India. As the vice president of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV), she has invited other communities to join in.
“My goal has always been to involve external organisations and strengthen communication with others. This is why I joined FIAV—to connect with diverse groups and honour our founders by bringing them into the fold.”
As the community prepares for this year’s Durga Puja, they look forward to celebrating their rich traditions together.
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