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পুজো সংখ্যা 2025
সভাপতির কলম।
কলকাতায় জন্মে বড় হওয়া। তেইশটা দুর্গাপুজো পার করে এদেশে চলে এলাম গ্রাজুয়েট স্কুলে। তখন লোকে বাড়ি কোথায় জিজ্ঞেস করলেই নির্দ্বিধায় বলতাম ‘কলকাতায়’। কিন্তু সময়ের সাথে সেই প্রশ্ন আর উত্তরের মাঝে একটা হাল্কা দ্বিধা একটু একটু করে ঢুকতে শুরু করলো। একবার সেই বিষয়ে এক বন্ধুর সঙ্গে আলোচনা করছিলাম। সে বোল্লো “বুঝলি, বাড়ি হলো মা যেখানে থাকে”। শুনে আশ্বস্ত হলাম।
১৯৯৮ তে নক্সভিলে আসা। শুরুতে পুরোনো বন্ধুদের আর বড় জমায়েতের টানে পুজোতে অন্য কোথাও যাওয়ার জন্য মন উতলা হতো। কিন্ত এখানে ছোট বাঙালি সমাজের ছোট পুজোর উদ্যোগ হঠাৎ দেখলাম জীবনের সাথে জড়িয়ে গেছে। জোয়ার ভাটার মত বাঙালির সংখ্যা কমেছে বেড়েছে।কিন্তু মেরে-কেটে ষাট-সত্তর লোক নিয়ে একদিনেই পুজো আর বিজয়া সেরে ফেলা যেত। গত কয়েক বছরে বৃহত্তর নক্সভিলে বাঙালি বিস্ফোরন আর পুজোতে লোকসংখ্যা দুশোর বেশি। দুর্গাপুজো ছাড়াও এখন বিজয়া-দীপাবলী, সরস্বতীপুজো, বৈশাখী, আর পিকনিক। সেই সামলাতে এবছর ইস্ট টেনেসি বেঙ্গলি অ্যাসোসিয়েশন nonprofit 501(3)C হিসেবে রেজিস্ট্রেশন করার ব্যবস্থা চলছে। এর জন্য আপনাদের সবার সমর্থন আর সাহায্য আমাদের প্রয়োজন।
অনেকেই বলে নক্সভিলের পুজো আদতে বাড়োয়াড়ি হলেও একটা বাড়ির ঘরোয়া অনুভূতি আছে। আমরা নিজেরাই ঠাকুর বসাই, মন্চ সাজাই, রান্না করি, পুজো করি, আর স্টেজে উঠে গান-নাচ-নাটক। কলকাতায় চব্বিশ বছর ছিলাম, নক্সভিলে আজ সাতাশ বছর। এর মধ্যে তিন ছেলে জন্মে বড় হয়ে এখন এখান থেকে দূরে। তাদের মা এখানে, তাই তারাও বাড়ি আসে। কলকাতা আছে, আমার মা আর নেই। কিন্তু মা দুর্গা আসে বছরে বছরে, তাই নক্সভিলেই এখন আমার বাড়ি।
আমাদের বাড়িতে আর বাড়ির পুজোতে সবাইকে স্বাগতম।
ইস্ট টেনেসি বেঙ্গলি অ্যাসোসিয়েশনের কার্যনির্বাহী কমিটির তরফ থেকে শারদ শুভেচ্ছা সহ,
বুধু ভাদুড়ী
adi.mp4Aadrit recites here a very popular children’s rhyme in Bengali. It beautifully depicts the picture of a simple lifestyle of Gram Bangla in India.
Aadrit Moitra is a 2.5 years old little boy. This cute little mischievous champ loves to learn new Bengali poems and is always excited to recite them.
A-Kashful Village_Shanaya Roy Nag_ETBA2025 - Anurupa Roy.jpg"A-Kashful" Village--depicting a beautiful village scene with kash phool during Durga Puja in West Bengal by Shanaya Roy Nag
I am in 2nd grade.
InShot_20250824_182015145.mp4The dance video beautifully blends tradition and joy with performances on the soulful Agomoni song, welcoming Maa Durga, and the cheerful Gouri Elo that celebrates her arrival. These songs are not just music—they are emotions that instantly bring alive the “pujo pujo bhaab” every Bengali waits for all year. With every beat and every step, the video captures the essence of Durga Puja: devotion, festivity, and pure happiness. This is created purely for entertainment purposes, with no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments—I tried my best to interpret the songs properly, and if there are any flaws, I sincerely apologize.
I’m Anusrika Datta, a 5th-year PhD student in the Department of Mathematics at UTK, originally from Kolkata. While academics shape a big part of my journey, dance is my true passion and the art form where I feel most alive. Beyond dancing, I love cooking, spending time with dogs, and cherishing every moment I get with my family, whom I miss the most while being away from home.
Uttarbanga_Ankhi - Soumendra Bhanja.pdfA short trip to North Bengal (West Bengal, India) during my school days by Ankhi Kar Sarkar
I am Ankhi, a Packaging Development Professional and a resident of Knoxville, participating in ETBA activities since 2021.
Shakti Unbound_Anurupa Roy_ETBA2025 - Anurupa Roy.pdfThe essay reimagines Shakti beyond the mainstream myth of gendered symbolism, presenting Her as the limitless force of freedom and creative power rooted in the Vedic tradition
By Anurupa Roy - Exploring the world through science and meaning through philosophy
F95A1B1A-9A69-4452-8120-12136E7FBF7A - Ivy Dey.jpegদুর্গাপুজো শুধু একটা উৎসব নয়, এটা বাঙালির হৃদয়ের আবেগ, চারিদিক ভরে ওঠে আলো, আনন্দ আর মিলনমেলায়।
ধুনুচি নাচ যেন ভক্তি আর আনন্দের মিশ্রণ, যেখানে তাল, ঢাক আর ধোঁয়ার ঘ্রাণ একসাথে এক জাদু তৈরি করে। ধোঁয়ার ভাঁপ, ঢাকের তালে নাচ – পুজোর আসল মেজাজটা মনে করিয়ে দেয়।
I am Ivy, Phd student at UTK studying Maths. Art is my escape — a space without rules or perfection, theorems and proofs
ছোটবেলার টলিউড (revised).pdfDr. Ranjan Ganguly received his M.Sc. degree from the University of Calcutta (Kolkata). In 1973 he came to the U.S. for his graduate education. In 1978 he received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. After his graduation Dr. Ganguly continued his research in Lincoln on mammary cancer and in 1980, he joined the University of California–Irvine as a Senior Research Fellow. In 1986, he joined the Zoology Department of the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville as an Assistant Professor, and later he joined the Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) at UT and became a full professor. Dr. Ganguly also served as the Associate Head of the BCMB department from 2005-08. At UT, Dr. Ganguly supervised the research and thesis of fifteen graduate and fifteen undergraduate (Hons.) students. His research was funded by grants from USDA. He retired in 2018.
In memory of his wife Dr. Nivedita Ganguly, Dr. Ganguly established an endowment in 2022 to give a Graduate Fellowship Award in the BCMB Department and an undergraduate fellowship in the Vols Teach program every year.
Krishna's Melody of Love_Aishani Roy Nag_ETBA2025 - Anurupa Roy.jpgKrishna's Melody of Love by Aishani Roy Nag
I am in 7th grade.
My Movie-360p30 - Banya Roy.movA Bhoopali bow to the Vighnaharta 🙏 by Banya Roy
I am Banya Roy, a PhD student in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UTK. Alongside my academic journey, I have a deep passion for music. Beyond music, I enjoy cooking and exploring different cuisines. I am also interested in martial arts which helps me to stay centered.
Ma - Debanjali Dasgupta.jpgDivine strength with a mother’s grace — Maa Durga.
I’m Debanjali Dasgupta, a fifth-year Ph.D. student in Economics at the University of Tennessee, specializing in health economics. Beyond research, I find joy in painting and singing.
Durga Pujo Patrika by Subhamay & Sandeep (1) - Subhamay pramanik.docxPoem (In Bengali and English (Hindi tone)) by Sandeep Kaur and Subhamay Pramanik
We are PhD scientists in chemical sciences, making Knoxville our home since 2022. This poem flows straight from our hearts, celebrating the profound strength and essence of our ‘Maa মা.’” We feel truly blessed to be part of the ETBA community.
Bari by Ayana Ghosh
Ayana is a scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Physics and materials science keep her busy, but writing keeps her soul alive!
IMG_3193 - Abhishek Sahoo.jpgI had captured this divine image of Maa Durga on the eve of Durga Puja organized by ETBA.
I am a Phd student at UTK and ORNL, and I have a deep passion for photography. I have an insta page where I post my clicks.. @optic_odysseyy.
ETBA_DurgaPuja2025_Soumya Nag - Anurupa Roy.pdfThis write-up is an abol-tabol take on how third-wave AI might tumble into Bengali immigrant life. In fantasy mode, AI is the all-in-one Pujo volunteer—rushing to Costco, hanging backdrops in rented halls, even rescuing the extension cord hiding behind a basement piano since last Bijoya. With such magic, Knoxville’s two-day compressed Pujo could, in theory, swell into a full five-day extravaganza.
Whether this pipe dream comes true is anyone’s guess. The ultimate truth, however, is much simpler: during Pujo, Knoxville itself becomes a little mini-Kolkata for two days, where the essence of celebration lies not in efficiency or algorithms, but in adda, food, and nostalgia—served generously, just like a second helping of khichuri. 😄
This piece is conceived by Soumya Nag, a curious hybrid—half Bengali immigrant, half caffeine-fueled materials scientist—who occasionally moonlights as a storyteller, spinning Durga Puja anecdotes into satire. By day, he wrestles with spreadsheets, research papers, and ORNL deadlines; by night, he dreams of khichuri lines that move faster than the offense of his favorite football team. 🏈
IMG_20250903_220648756~2 - shreya nag.jpg"একবার বিরাজ গো মা হৃদি কমলাসনে"
- A heartfelt devotion to Maa Durga, inviting her divine presence in our hearts.
My name is Shreya Nag and I currently live in Cedar Bluff, Knoxville. I have a deep love for creative expression, and in my leisure time I enjoy painting, singing, crafting handmade pieces and cooking. Painting, in particular, allows me to capture my emotions and stories through colours and brush strokes, making it one of my most cherished forms of self-expression. I am delighted to share this artwork as a reflection of my passion and devotion to Maa Durga.
Durga_Shib Prosad Mukhopadhyay_ETBA2025 - Anurupa Roy.pdfআমাদের দেবী অসুর বিনাসিনী মহামায়া মা দুর্গার পৌরানিক কাহিনী বিবরণী লিখিত ভাবে উপস্থাপিত করা হল।পাঠকদের মন্তব্য অবশ্যই গ্রহণযোগ্য।
আমি, শিব প্রসাদ মুখোপাধ্যায়, অধুনা লাউডন নিবাসী, পেশাগত ভাবে মেকানিক্যাল ইঞ্জিনিয়ার (বি ই কলেজ)। এখন অবসরপ্রাপ্ত ।
20250910_192810 - Suparna Sarkar.jpgShaktirupen sansthita.
Suparna Sarkar, 2nd year Graduate student in the BCMB department, UTK.
Pujo sankhya - chanting - edited - Arjun Bhattacharyya.mp4These hymns, composed in the ancient Sanskrit language, are taken from Hindu scriptures. The Śrīdurga Praṇāmaḥ opens with salutations describing the Goddess’s fierce yet compassionate form, seated on a lion and armed with divine weapons. The Śrīdurga Dhyānam verses vividly portray Her adorned with jewels, wielding trident, sword, and discus, and triumphing over the demon Mahīṣāsura, symbolizing the destruction of ego and ignorance. Such hymns are traditionally chanted to invoke strength, protection, and blessings from the Goddess.
I am a PhD Student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
I am a PhD Student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
ghai.mp4Kamal Ghai hails from Amritsar, Punjab. He is retired as a manager from Central Government job in India. After retirement, he decided to devote his time in reigniting his long lost passion of singing and acting, and created a Karaoke group called Maa Saraswati Musical group in Amritsar. He has a Youtube channel named “Kamal Ghai”, where he regularly posts some of his group’s singing event videos.
He is singing Ganesh Vandana- appreciating the qualities of Lord Ganesha as per Hindu mythology. Lord Ganesha is said to be the lord of wisdom and the one who helps in eliminating the miseries of human life.
IMG_6789 - Debanjali Dasgupta.mp4Aigiri Nandini- an ode to shakti, invoking courage and divinity.
We are graduate students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a deep appreciation for music. This is our rendition of the devotional hymn Aigiri Nandini, presented with reverence and love for its timeless spirit.
debabrata.jpegOn the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, this painting beautifully portrays Ma Durga in her divine form. Symbolising boundless strength and supreme power, Ma Durga embodies the energy that dispels darkness and eradicates negativity from our lives. The image reflects her essence as “Shakti Rupen Samsthita”—the eternal manifestation of cosmic energy and the protector of righteousness.
Dr. Debabrata Moitra is a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Tennessee. He is originally from Siliguri which is a beautiful city located at the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal, India. Alongside his passion for research, Dr. Moitra nurtures a deep love for painting, finding joy and creative expression through his artwork.
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