How West Bengal ‘settled down’ in Korattur

Since 1980, Korattur Puja Association has been presenting a microcosmic view of the State during the durga puja special week in chennai

Unable to visit Bengal for Durga Puja celebrations due to work commitments, a clutch of Bengali families brought the State to Korattur. That “cultural transfer” was made possible by Korattur Puja Association, born in 1980. Counted among the Association’s architects are N.D. Ghosh, J. Jha, Sadhan Debnath, Late A.P. Kar and Late Choudhury.

Nearly 100 families registered with it, the Association has offered a microcosm of Bengal in Korattur during the Puja Week every year since its inception, the two years of pandemic being the only exception.

“Not being home for Puja is a big thing for any Bengali staying away from home, so nine to 10 families came together to celebrate the Duseehra celebration well over four decades ago,” says 83-year-old N.D. Ghosh who came Madras in 1977 through a transferable job.

In the early years, the Association being strapped for funds, celebrations were austere — minimal decorations, no bhoj.

“Only in 1984 did the celebrations get bigger,” he says. An idol maker was brought from West Bengal.

Bengalis working at companies in Ambattur Industrial Estate, Integral Coach Factory and the Southern Railway were drawn to put down roots in Korattur. Sanjib Mullick notes he was looking for a locality in Chennai with a sizeable Bengali population, and that search led him to Korattur in 2001.

As the Association does not have a space or a fixed venue to hold events, some of the get-togethers are held at the homes of members.