graamer pujo

pujo manei shishir bheja shakale ghum bhanga
pujo manei shiuli phool e mukh Dhaake angina
pujo manei shona jhara miThe roddur
pujo manei bairagi gaay agomonir shur
pujo manei diganto chhaay shaada kasher bon
pujo manei ganga snan, pitritarpon
pujo manei neel akashe shada megher bhela
pujo manei gharer chheler ghare pherar pala
pujo manei Thakur gaRa dekhte kumor para
pujo manei pujor agey fashol kaaTar taaRa
pujo manei gobor lepe nikono uThon
pujo manei bhor belate maayer bodhon
pujo manei chaler guRo, nipun alpona
pujo manei shodyo phoTa jal padmo ana
pujo manei lal cheli te kala bou er snan
pujo manei Dhaaker badyi, dhup-dhuno r ghraan
pujo manei aaTchalaTe pujo dekhar bhir
pujo manei chhele buro anande adhir
pujo manei bhakti bhare maayer anjali
moner gopon ichhe shakol maa ke bala bali
pujo manei shondhi pujo, shandhya godhuli bela
uposh kora, eksho aaT Ti ghee er pradeep jala
pujo manei Thakurmaader narkel naRu gaRa
nimki, moa, khaja, gauja kouTo boyam bhara
pujo manei dashami te chokher jale bhasha
panta bhaate kochur shaake biday bhoj hoy khasha
pujo manei alta shindur, baron dali shaje
dhyankurakur kothay jeno korun shure baaje
banbhashi te nishyo gram er onek poribaar
tobu maago, ar bachhore ashish abaar.

shohure pujo

pujo manei pujor chhuTi, ishkool college bandho
pujo manei shodyo kena notun jamar gandho
pujo manei pujo shankhya niye kaRakaRi
pujo manei pauRar shonge din shateker aaRi
pujo manei rasTa juRe masto pandel bandha
pujor jonno pujor club ke hajar taka chanda
pujo manei pujor bonus, kenakaTir dhum
pujo manei hilli dilli beRanor marshoom
pujo manei phite kaaTte manyo-ganyo Daakaa
pujo manei theme er pujo, theme Ti agle rakha
pujo manei sharod mela, sharod puroshkaar
keu dichhen notun gaaRi, keu ba hirer haar
pujo manei paRar hiro, beparar shundori
pujo manei dekhondaari saajer huRohuRi
pujo manei shadalbale Thakur dekhte jaoa
pujo manei praner shukhe roll chowmein khaoa
pujo manei prothom prem aar mon haranor pala
prothom chiThi, prothom alap, prothom gaaner bela
pujo manei Dhaaker badyi, disco naach doshor
pujo manei 'mike testing' nrityo-geeter ashor
pujo manei 'aschhe bachhor abaar habe' bol
bishorjoner band party, bejay haTTogol
pujo manei bijoyay maayer shindoor khela
pujor sheshe kolakuli, mishTi mukher pala
pujor sheshe maa dugga pheren nijer gharee
ebar maa kishe elen, gelen kishe choRe?
Eto shato ei shahore kheyal rakha bhaar
tobu, pujo elei shahor anande tolpaaR

Pujo is around the corner!

Anandabazar khullei pujo niye hajar article... kon celebrity kabe kothay kibhabe pujo katiyechhilen... ebar pujoy kothay ki bhojer ayojon... baluchori making path for georgette sarees... parineeta saree vs. Bubli kurti... the list is endless!

Tao to amra miss kori shei shob details je gulo web version of the newspaper e beroy na... last baar India giye shara din Anandabazar niye pore thaktam... patar por pata jure advertisements... nichhe khude akshare na lekha thakle bojha mushkil je ogulo bigyapon... mone hote pare regular article... ei rakom i besh kichhu mone porchhe... kichhuta apon moner madhuri mishiye likhlam adda bondhuder jonno... (lekhaTa ektu meyeli laagte paare... kintu believe me, these kind of ads that get published in the daily are way more 'meyeli' that mine :-)

***
Sharmi aar Rajlekha beriyechhe pujor bajar korte. Weekend e bajar korte jaoa mane bokami... sha ye sha ye lok er shonge ThelaTheli... bhir e dam bandho hoye ashe! Tai dui bondhute plan kore Shukkur baar beriyechhe. Rajlekha to roj i free... chhele ke DPS er bus e tule diye karta Opel hakiye office chole gelei shara din free. Sharmi r i shomoy hoy na, byasto chakri niye. O bhaggish ekta din chhuti manage korte parlo! Noile, bondhu r shonge pujor bajar na korle hoy naki?

Sharmi aaj chole eshechhilo shakal shakal i. Karta takhon o beroy ni. Ektu boshte holo oke... ki aar kara jabe. Oi phanke Sharmi o ektu living room e rakha magazine gulo ulte nilo... Shananda y latest fasion er haal hakiqat beriyechhe... jhaliye nilo.. noile office e to aar eshob er shomoy hoy na! Ei shob magazine dekha thakle shopping korte berole shomoy nashto hoy na. Prothomei ekta andaj hoye jay je Taant er opor spray painting er kaaj kara saree Dakshinapan chhara aar kothay better paowa jabe na. Otoyeb, onno kothao jaoa bekar. [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor Shananda]

Egarota nagad Sharmi driver ke gadi hankate bollo.. shidhe gariahaat. Bhaggish aaj or karta Zen ta niye gechhe, noile Opel chhara pujor bajar hoy naki? Prothom gantobyo dhakeswari. Boring athocho kintei habe, emon bajar gulo shere felte habe prothome. Dhakeshwari ekhono phanka phanka... etai Shukro barer mauja. 'bhalo taanter shari dekhaben.. boyesh, ei dharoon, ponchaash'. Byas! eshe gelo nana rakom... ebar pujoy 'cool thing' holo fusion. Shey kato variety! Taanter jamin er opor baluchori kaaj, embroidery, kantha stitch, aari kaaj... emon ki zardousi o! Boredom udhao. Sharmi to sharurir ta kenar agei nijer jonno ekta kalo ar kamala r combination kine phello... bomkai paar, bhetore mirror work. Shashurir jonno zardousi on taant ar mashi shashurir jonno taanter opor baluchori design, fantastic! Rajlekha jodio taant pore na, tobuo, ekta halka neel kantha kaajer taant na kine parlo na... egulo bhishon tempting byapar! [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor Adi Dhakeshwari bastralay]

Porer dokan jamdani ghar. Dujonei nijeder mayer jonno kinlo dhakai jamdani.. ebar er fashion holo white on white.. shada jominer opor shomosto saree jure shaada butir kaaj. Mental note, maake bolte habe, ota ekdin porte debar jonno. Kintu tatei ki shesh naki? Showcase e shajano tissue saree r opor gujrati design aar beads er kaaj kara jamkalo saree ta? Ota ki chaara jay? Shutorang, otao bag-ostho holo Sharmi r. Rajlekha bollo, ei Sharmi, amar mamato bhai er biye December e, meye gujrati... tor theke eta kintu takhon dhaar nebo! 'Ofcourse!' [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor Jamdani ghar]

Next destination Dakshinapan. Karon to agei mention korechhi. Okhane abstract motif er opor spray painting kara saree bikochhe ekta boutique e. Sharmi kinlo gota charek. Rajlekha tinte. Egulo dujonei debe boudi der aar Jaa-der. Nijeder jonneo oboshyo ek khana kore rakhlo... bishesh kore spray painting er opor embroidery kore highlight kara saree gulo. Sharmir ta Tussar, Rajlekhar ta bangalore silk. [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor Dakshinapan er boutique ti]

Dakshinapan e jakhon ashai gechhe, takhon bachhader jinish gulo o ei belay kinte habe. Ek chhader niche eto bachhader designer garments aar kothay i ba paoa jabe? Kena holo Bonny r sherwani suit, Isha r lehenga choli, chhotto ritam er jonno four piece kurta payjama r set. Protyekta unique.. dokandar claim korechhe erokom aar ekta dekhate parle poysha pherot! [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor Dakshinapan]

Abar gariahaat, ebar kingbadanti, punjabi stores er chattore. Baba, kaka, shoshur moshai der jonne eke eke kena holo kaalo dhakka parer dhuti, jamdaani kingba kashmiri kaaj kara punjabi. Ei phanke sharmi nijer kartar jonne kine rakhlo ekta fantastic kalo r opor kaaj kara three piece ethnic churidaar punjabi set. Bonny r jonno ekta second pair kena holo, multi colored ethnic suit, haal fasion er zardousi kaaj kara uttoriyo dewa. Ekhon chhele ta porlei hoy... o to pujoy Spider man T shirt chhara kichhu portei chay na... naki 'uncomfy' lage! Ta, pujoy ekta din nahoy ektu uncomfy lagloi, ta bole tui fashion durostho hobi na? Ajob! [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor Kingbadanti, provided PUnjabi Stores does not get a mention]

Kena kata korte korte edike khide peye gechhe. Byas, shopping e biroti diye gari chhutlo elgin road. Oh KOlkata! Ek Dhile dui pakhi mara ar ki... bhojon o habe, abar Shoppers stop e bajar tao shere neoa jabe! Shomoy thakle inox e ekta movie o mere dewa jay... problem ki?


Ta khaoaTa bhaloi holo. Oh Kolkata y buffet byabostha ek kathay daroon! Ta chhara eshob bengali khabar to aar aajkaal barite hoy na, tai mukh paltano bhaloi holo. jhinge postoTa Rajlekha thik enjoy koreni, o asholey jhinge jinishta bardasto korte pare na, kintu Sharmi bollo 'it tastes fanta!' Raju barong mochar ghanto aar shukto kheyechhe veg section theke. Bak phool bhaja Ta dujoner keu i thik shahosh kore nite pare ni. Non veg er modhye chhilo kakrar jhal, daab chingri, murgir du tin te dish (naam gulo bhishon confusing) aar kausha mangsho.. 'ekebare grand'! Tarpor jalpai er chatni, mishti doi aar rabri (aaj aar diet er katha bhebe labh nei.. mental note: pujor por next one month only soups and cucumber. Promise!) [author's note... ei para graph tar sponsor oh Kolkata]

Khaota bhaloi holo. Mishti paan mukhe diye neme asha maatir kachha kachhi, mane sixth floor theke fouth floor e, shoppers stop er men's section e. Sharmi plan korei eshechhilo, ebar kartar jonno ekta sherwani kinbe, shonge crushed churni. Kintu variety dekhe math kharap habar jogar! Konta chhere konta kinbe? Raju help korlo. Bechhe dilo ekta coffee e opor cream color e kaaj kara set. Ekdom unique! Raju nijer barer jonno kinlo ekta swarovski crystal set kara olive color er shewani, etar shonge churni nei. khoshlo bhaloi, kintu, pujor shomoy shey katha bhable chale na. [author's note... this paragraph and a few more below are sponsored by Shoppers Stop]

Tuk tak aro kayekTa shirt kena holo. Mama to bhai, dewor.. era shob achhe. EkTa Zodiac er tie kinlo Sharmi. Raju kaar jonno jiggesh korte, lajuk heshe bollo, 'for my handsome boss, re!' Raju bhablo, tai to, oi je shamner flat er college porua chheleta, je apon mone baranday dariye guitar bajay, tar jonno ekta kichhu kinle kemon hoy? Porokkhonei mone porlo, chheleTike Bonny dada dake, orthath, Rajlekha holo kakima.

Aro niche nama, second floor e. Jekhane ladies garments hoi hoi kore bikri hochhe. Kena holo dozen khanek kurti. Du char te nijeder, baki gulo bhaijhi, bhagni der dite habe. Salwar suit o kena holo gota kayek. Egulo shob i nijeder... ektu daam beshi... kintu 'worth every penny' Sharmi Rajlekha ke ashwasto kare. 'erokom designs tui aar kothao pabi?'

Baire beriye ekta daabwalar kachh theke duto daab kine garite oTha. Tarpor shoja new market chattor. Okhane na gele bangalir pujor bajar shesh hoy na. Sriram arcade er dokan theke cosmetics, perfume kena. Aro kayek ta salwar kameez (ki korbo, chokh pherano gelo na!), aro ducharTe kurti. Bonny r jonno kayekTa T shirt. Costume jewellery. Carrom theke dujoner aadh dozen juto. Bakider gulo pore habe... ora na ele size thik habe na. Phoochkaa. Fruit juice. [author's note... Sriram arcade was approached for the sponsorship, they declined, saying too much mention of other stuff]

Vardaan market. Ekhane agey khub bhalo ethnic salwar kammez paowa jeto. Ekhon aar... Kintu ebar paowa gelo. Jute aar wooden beads er kaaj kara cotton er salwar kammez. Punti r kaaj kara scarf. Zardousi shawl. Kantha stich aar mirror work er bag. Shonge matching costume jewellery. [Vardaan market authorities were delighted to get asked for sponsorship, so they sponsored this para as well as the previous one]

Sheshe aar garite bag rakhar jay nei. Tao bhaggish Zen noy, Opel! noile Shoppers Stop ei iti Taante hoto! Gharir dike takiye mathay haat. Oma! already adh ghanta late! Ekhono Trinca's jete another half hour lagbe! tori ghori cell phone e call. Kichhu tuki taki baki roye gelo... ki aar kara jabe? Ekdine pujor bajar hoy naki? Tao shomoy er obhabe Rajgharana y jaoa holo na! Eto baro sacrifice karta ra bujhle hoy! [In addition to the first paragraph, this one also does not have a sponsor. So, the author is paying from his own pocket]

***

[author's note: no one sponsors the following section, that is why they generally don't find space in the pages of the daily]

Odike, kolkatar onno ek kone, ekTi Thanda office e,
'Shubham, are you ready?'
'Na yaar, Prit, give me another 15 minutes.'
'Come on! The ladies are waiting at Trinca's'
'You come on! Meyera shopping korte giye late habe na? Are you crazy!'
'But, ami bhabchhilam ektu agey giye ekta early start nebo, noile Sharmi aajkaal bhishon jhamela kare'
'Arre, amar o to ek i problem. Raju o du chaar peg er beshi khete dey na... bale, beshi khele ami naki tipsy hoye jai!'
'Then lets go now!'
'Relax yaar, she just called me.. they'll be another hour late.'

Shubham aar Prit (orofe Prithwish) er mukhe molayem hashi chhoriye pare. Minute kuri baade lift diye namte namte tukro kath barta...
'So, another pujo!'
'Yup! Another four nights of endless drinking'
'Don't forget the kababs... ekta notun restaurant er khoj peyechhi... they have about 25 types of kababs... each of them is a gem!'
'God! I love durga pujo!'
'Thakur dekhte berobi naki?'
'khepechhish? ei chaardin holo amar time to achieve nirvana'

Another half hour later, Trinca's. Ladies have not arrived yet (bodh hoy Rajgharana Ta gurei ashbe). Shubham er haate scotch, Prit is nursing his vodka.
'bolo, Durga mai Ki!'
'Ek peg ei matlamo korchho guru?'


Footnote: This article may look at little dated, for, I visited Kolkata last in 2003. Tarpor ganga diye kato jal boye gechhe.. tai updated ekta version bartomaner kolkata bashi/bashini ra post korle mondo hoy na.

Oh, another thing... I have very little knowledge about sarees.. so whatever I have mentioned here has been taken directly from newspapers... so bouquets or brickbats should be directed towards Prafulla Chandra Street, please.

Joint er phalaphal

deshe deshe ei barta rote gelo krome... joint er result berobe June shoptome. Byas, dal bendhe baba mayera line diyechhen cyber cafe gulote. Agge hyan, bachhor bishek age jara nijeder matric er result janar jonne gadget dekhte line diten, tarai ebar shontan shontutider result dekhar jonne cyber cafe te. Kon iye bale deshtar unnoti hoy ni?

Line debe na? je joint er jonne raat raat jege poDa, biye annoprashone shudhu presentation thekiye nake mukhe gunje chole asha, chhele meyer master der baDite suggestion er jonne dharna dewa, shei joint er result er jonne line debe na? Nehat, porikhhar hall e baba ma ke dhukte dey na, noile oi uttor lekhar kashtotao bodh hoy chhele meyeke diten na onek mababa.

Boli, chhele/meye na hoy 'mote poDe na' 'omuker mato poDle nirghaat first hoto', kintu ma babader ei time and effort investment er return chai na bujhi? Otoyeb cyber cafe. Aajkal to abar joint er list naki 5000-6000 hajar naam lamba. Tai oneker i chokhe hashi mukhe jal. na eta typo noy... agami koyek bachhore jaadu/madhu r ganDir opare basta basta takar bandil er shopno dekhe chokhe lobhi hashi jhilik mare, mukh (aro bishod kore, jibh) diye jal paDe. Jader paDe na, tader 'ashchhe bachhor abar habe'. Mane, aro ek bachhor master der maine gono, aro ek bachhor biye annoprashone presentation thkiye eshei poDte basho...

khaborer kagoje phalao kore result berochhe. kriti chatro chatri der naam o chhobi chhapa hochhe. dekheo bhalo lage. Amader shomoy eto chhilo na. takhon oi madhyomik uchhomadhyomik er topper porjonto hoi hoi hoto. Amra boltam jara second hoy, tarai shob cheye dukhi. ek-adhta nombor kamer jonne keu patta dey na.

Dekhlam first boy der shob aat-noy jon kore griho shikkhokh chhilo. Abar poDlam. eyna? noy jon? subject kati? amta amta kore gune dekhlam sharboshakulye chhati. tao bangla-english er mato pati subject (agye hyan, jatoi shunte kharap laguk, science student ra o dutike dudh bhaat i mone kare) baad dile mote charti! tar jonne noy jon tutor? ta, ekjon organic chemistry, ekjon inorganic chemistry? Ekjon trigonometry, ekjon calculus? Naki, ekjon HS, ekjon Joint? Kintu syllabus ta eki na? Naki ekjon note den, onno jon bujhiye den, tritio joner kaaj shei note theke short note dewa? Amader shomoy karo char joner beshi (char jon dekhe bhuru kapale? he he, mane, amio oi khub ekta purono papi noi kina) master thakle boltam, tor ki aggregate er jonne o ekjon tutor achhe naki?

Tobe amar ek bandhu r katha mone achhe. Tar maths, physics, chemistry r alada alada coaching class chhilo. Aar baDite ekjon tutor chhilo, jini eishob coaching e ja note dewa hoto, shegulo ada ar jal shahojoge puriya kore giliye diten.

Joint to holo, atoh kim? Abar ahammoker mato 'ghoDar dim' bolben na jeno. atohpar jaadu othoba madhu. Madhu orthat medical colleger katha bolte parbo na, tobe nijer obhiggata theke jaadu r bishoye kicchu bolte pari. Tobe na balai bhalo... ke kakhon teDe ashe bala jay na... bhalo bhalo katha shunte kaar bhallage bolun? ki bollen, abhay dichhen? achha, tahole boli.

Joint bagiye ei shob hirer tukro chhele meyera (na shonar tukro der katha bolchhi na) jaadu te asha matroi ekti kore lejer odhikari hoy. ete chintar kinchhu nei, na holei barong bhoy... tobe ki chheleta ragging er shikar holo? Dhara ke shara gyan kara diye unmesh, tappor enthu eshe gele ek adhta dean gherao ba relay anoshan kono byapar i na. Edike, class bunk, gano tokatuki, mother, chota, index chota (jate lekha thake HPT, orthat, hip pocket e trigonometry) r mato bhalo bhalo concept shekha, sheguloke kaje lagiye honors marks pawa eshob to part of the syllabus.

Dekhte dekhte charte bachhor fakka. Ashe grand viva. Chatroder haDe kampon. Karon gato chaar bachhore dorkari pyach poyjar gulo shikhte shikhte induction motor, traction, high voltage er mato gouno du ekta jinish shekha hoy ni je. Tai grand viva te jakhon teacher jiggesh koren, balo to, ekta underdamped second order system ke overdamped ki kore korbe? Takhon chatro nirbikar mukhe jabab dey, agye barsha kale, jakhon batashe joliyo bashpo beshi thake!

Tarpor class test namok cruch e bhor diye gondi perono. Chakri niye deshe bideshe paDi. Takar basta gulo dibbi hater muThoy. Ki shikhlam? moruk ge, porikkhay to ar boste hochhe na! Aar jara abar teaching er licence niye phire ashe, tader oneker i shombol mandhatar amoler chota. Industry te obsolete tate ki? class room e ami ja bolbo, shetai ain.

Aar jara bideshe gelo, tara? Shoptahe panchdin apish, shonibaar dishi get-together, chunnu munnir soccer class ba piano lesson. aar robibarta India r call shere ar ekta week er torjor korte korte alshemi kara. kono rakom hobby? Wo kis khet ki muli hei? Boi paDa? nah, nijer profession er bairer kichhu aar paDa taDa hoy na. Cinema/natok? Oboshyoi! Ei to shedin latest bollywood blockbuster ta night show e mere elam. Aar khaborer kagoj? Dhur, o khali kharap khabor... mejaj tai khichDe jay. Tar theke balo to, ekhon stock e khela thik habe, naki mutual fund er safe side ei thakbo?

Bolechhilam na, basta basta taka? hyan, thik tai. baki shob faltu. ginni r dosh bhori harei biswaroop darshan, Green card ei mokhho, char bedroom-du gaDir garage shombolito american dream ei shiddhilabh. Tai bolchhilam ki, jointer syllabus 'taka rojgarer eksho upay' ba 'america jabar shoja rasta' r mato bhalo bhalo topic gulo dhokano jay na? boimukho modhyo bitto chatro chatrider notegulo shotti shotti i ekdin kaje lege jete pare!

Swapner Pheriwala

Dupurer bhaat ghum ta Ranu r idaning na hole chole na. Kemon jeno obhyeshe danDiye gechhe. Shakal theke ja huDohuDi jay, tar por bisram to ektu chai naki? Shei bhor panchta theke judhho shuru hoy. Office-schooler bhaat, tiffin, tarpor nijer jalkhabar. Er por kajer meyer pechhone hawa dao... 'ore almarir tala ta bhalo kore jhaant de' 'dekchitay ekhono ento lege achhe... kirokom bashon majli?' Tarpor bela barotay snan, thakur ke jal batasha dewa, barandar rode danDiye pasher baDir Kamalar shonge duto katha. Ekta nagad bhaat khete khete ektu TV dekha. Tarpor khabarer kagoj ta niye bichhanay ga eliye dewa. Tin er pata shesh hote na hote chokhe ghum joDiye ashe. MiThe bhaat ghum, kemon nesha nesha.

Tarpor charte bajlei abar Bubun school theke phirbe, abar judhho shuru. Take khaoao, poDte bashao. Odike abar kartar o ashar shomoy hoye ashe. Shob shere chhuti pete pete shei raat egarota. Ei dupur belatukui ektu ja bishram.

Aaj chhai aramer ghum tao chote gelo. Load shedding habar ar shomoy pelo na? Biroktir te mukhta benkiye Ranu khater pasher janala ta khule dey. Ei janalata rastar dike. Tai shadharonoto dupure ota Ranu bandho kore dey, khole shei raate shobar age. Tate ghartao ektu thanDa thake, abar baire dhulo o kam dhoke. Kintu ei garome na khule upay ki? Janala khule parda shoriye nijer khopa ta thik korte korte i Ranu haank ta shunlo. Pheriwalar haank. Notun. Eke age dekheni. Oi jara bashon ba phal-shobji bechte ashe, tader shakoler i haank chena hoye gechhe etodine. Kintu e lokta bolchhe ki? Kaan pete shune Ranu obak hoye jaay. Lokta shur kore bolchhe,
Ami shopner pheriwala haank diye jai
rongin rongin kato shopno dekhai
Tarpor ektu theme, tena tena bolchhe, Swapno chai go? Swapno?

Koutuhol baro ashchorjo jinish. Ghum tum kothay paliye jay! Ranu baranday beriye ashe loktake dekhbe bole. Rasta khaali. Lokta etokhhone galir moD ghure gechhe. Aar dekha jachhe na. dur theke shudhu galar awaaj bheshe ashchhe. Bhetore chole ashbe, shamner baDir mashimar shonge chokhachokhi hoye gelo. Mamuli katha barta. Aaj aar ghum ta holo na. Pheriwalar shur ta moner modhye bajte laglo. 'Swapner pheriwala haank diye jai'!

Raate khaoa daoar paat shere Bubun ke shuiye Ranu nijer shobar ghare ashe. E shomotay Supriyo kono boi paDe. Aar Ranu dressing table er shamne boshe mukhe cream makhe. Tarpor chul anchDe, binuni kore, talcom powder mekhe raat poshak pore shoa. Aaj cream makhte makhte nijer ojantei duto line geye oThe, 'ami shopner pheriwala
haank diye jai....' Supriyo boi theke chokh na tule mone mone bhabe 'TV te notun serial shuru holo mone hochhe.'

Parer din shokale kagojer ekta khabor dekhe Ranur mejajtai kharap hoye jay. Bidyut ghaTti. Tai ekhon koyekdin roj dupur bela ghanta duyeker jonno load shedding habe. Tar mane, dibanidra kenche gondush. Boshe boshe garome shedhho hao! Nah, ebar Kamala der baDiwali Mandira boudir shonge ektu dahorom mahorom baDate habe. Tahole ar kichhu na hok, dupurta oder baDite ghanta khanek katano jabe. Inverter achhe. Besh pakhar hawa khaoa jabe. Ghum er katha bhebe ar dukhho peye ki labh?

Shedin dupure kagojta niye boshechhe, emon shomoy shei pheriwalar daak, 'Swapno chai go? Swapno?' Aaj ar deri na kore Ranu baranday ashe. Aaj loktake dekhtei hochhe. Ektu danDatei dekha jay. Ekta roga mato lok. Kandhe chhotto ekta jhula, onekta bauler jholar mato. Shur tene tene bolchhe, 'Swapno chai go? Swapno?'

Ranuke koutuhali hoye takiye thakte dekhe lokta thame. Jiggesh kare, 'nebe ma? ektu dekho na?' Ranu, taDataDi matha neDe ghare chole ashe. Ke jane baba ki matlab? Aaj kaal ar kauke biswas kara jay na.

Parer din abar. Eki shomoye, shei eki bhabe shur tene tene 'Swapno chai go? Swapno?' 'Ki bikri kare lokta?' Ranu bhabe. 'Keu kene? Ke jane!'

Dudh ante giye Mandira boudir shonge shedin dekha. Bhalo manush. Ekdin aste bollen. 'Dupurer dikta baddo eka lage bhai, shomoy pele esho ekdin.' Ranu to alhade atkhana. Thanda thanDa pakhar hawa. Shonge barof dewa gholer sharbot. Bhaat ghum nahoy kadin bandhoi roilo.

Shedin dupure ekbaati mochaar ghanto haate Ranu Mandira boudir baaDi guti guti haajir hoy. Boudi to mochar ghanto dekhe khub khushi. Ador kore ghare niye bashalen. Ekebare full speed e pakha khule dilen. Jomiye adda holo. Bikele cha biscuit khaiye tabe chaDlen. Bollen, 'roj i to chole ashte paro Ranu, besh galpo kore shomoy
katano jabe!'

Porer din boudir baDi Kamalao hajir. Shamner baDir Taposhi ar Namita o. Galper phaanke pheriwalar katha uThlo. shabai shunechhe, keu i dakar shahosh pay ni. Keu bollo, 'o nirghaat pagol, noile bale swapno bechchhe?' Keu bollo, 'sheyana pagol, ota bhikhhe karar naya kayda.' Keu bollo, 'o nirghaat ganja, charosh er karbar. Noile, shopno dekhabe mane ta ki?' Keu bollo, 'dekho oshudh dewa mishti tishti bikri korchhe. Tumi edike oi kheye khoab dekhchho, odike tini tomar baaDi saaf kore hawa.' Shobai ekbakye swikar kolo, emon lok ke deke jhamelay paDar kono mane hoy na.

'Ei shob adday gele onek kichhu jana jay. Noile eka manei boka.' boudir baDir adda theke phire Ranu bhabe. Or ki kashminkaleo mathay ashto je lokta ganja charosh bikri korchhe? Eshob panchjoner shonge katha na bolle konodin jana jay na. Tarpor, Namita je ghatonata bollo, sheta? Namita r kon attiyer paDay naki emon i ekta shondehojanok lok ghora ghuri korto. Pare ekdin poolish ashte jana gelo je lokta naki ashole pherar ashami. Oder paDay bhikhari sheje lukiye chhilo. Shunleo gaye kaanta dey!

shedin raate cream makhte makhte ranu Supriyo ke loktar katha bollo. Mane, boudir baDite ja shunechhe, tai. loktar katha beshi ki i ba bolbe... balar mato to oi haank ta 'Ami shopner pheriwala haank diye jai' Er beshi to kichu ekhono ghatei ni, ta bolbe ki? Supriyo shob shune bollo, aajkaal churi dakati beDechhe. Shabdhane theko. Shonibar mone koro, ekta Navtaal er shaat lever er tala kine anbo. Dupur bela paDa beDate jao... khali baDite kon din ki hoye jaay...'

Ranu r mukh ta kaalo hoye gelo. Bhari to ektu boudir baDi ghanta duyeker jonno jawa... sheta paDa beDano holo? Aar tomader ar ki? Shara din thanda office e boshe thako, load shedding to pohate hoy na! Aar paDa beDanor jonne tomar kon khidmate khamti hoyechhe, shuni? Biyer por thekei to shudhu ghaani thele jachhi, amar kono
shokhta shoukhinotar kheyal korechho kono din?' Balish e mukh gunje phonsh phonsh chollo aadh ghanta. Supriyo r mejajtai khichDe gelo.

Por din raag dekhiye Ranu boudir baDi gelo na. Kamala daakte eshechhilo. Oke matha dhorar ojuhat diye na kore dilo. Gojgoj korte korte eghar o ghar korchhe, emon shomoy, shei daak, 'Swapno chai go? Swapno?' Ranu nijer ojantei baranday giye danDay. Lokta egiye ashchhe. chokha chokhi hote Ranu ke jiggesh korlo, 'dekhbe ma? ektu dekho na? Poysha dite habe na.' Ranu matha neDe na korte jabe, hoThath kotha theke ekta bachha chele eshe loktake dhorlo, 'o pheriwala, tumi ki bikri korchho?' Cheleta odiker bostir habe, khali ga, moyla half pant.

Lokta abar hanTte shuru korechhe. Cheleta nachhoDbanda, 'o pheriwala, amay dekhabe? ek taka debo.' pant er pocket theke ekta taka bar kore dekhay. Lokta etokhhone themechhe. Ekebare moDer kachhe giye. Guho baDir rok tar opor boshe kaandh theke jhuli namay. Ranu ghaaD ghuriye dekhte cheshta kare, jhuli theke ki bar korchhe, thik Thahor korte pare na... Guho BaDir rok ta shotinek gaj dure. Taropor lokta Ranu r dike pechhon phire achhe.

Emon shomoy shorgol oThe Mandira boudir baDi theke, 'chor chor!' Ranu chomke oThe. Oder baDi theke totokhhone Kamala and Taposhi beriye eshechhe. Taposhi chhute jay nijer baDir dike. Kamala Ranuke dekhte peye Ranuder baranday uThe ashe.

Aaj dupure Mandira boudider baDi jor adda hochhilo. Taposhi, Namita, Kamala chhaDao aro du charjon chhilo. Emon shomoy ekta lok eshe kaDa naDe. lokta kon naami shabaner company te chakri kare. Kichhu sample bili korte eshechhe. company r notun product, shona rupo porishkar karar shaban. Jar hate galay ja chhilo khule dey porikhha karar jonno. Tarpor lokta ki bhabe je shobar shamne hat shafai korlo, ke jane! gayna gulo sample guDo diye ghashe ekta toyalete muDe adh ghanta rakhte bole lokta chole gechhe. Adh ghanta por toyale khule dekhe phakka! ganya toyna kichhu nei. Eto gulo loker chokhe dhulo diye she beta kete poDechhe.

Taposhi ghar theke pulish e phone kore beriye eshechhe. Itimodhye hulusthulu poDe gechhe. Mandira boudi char bhorir haarer shoke ogyan hoye gechhe. Namita aar Sharbani tarosware kanna juDechhe. Kamala boudir mathay jal dhalchhe. Taposhi pulish e phone kore paDar chheleder club theke deke enechhe. Ranu eto khhon kheyal kare ni, shei shopno bikri kara lokta kakhon chole gechhe, Guho baDir rok phanka.

Bikat shobde siren bajiye pulish elo. Daroga babu eshei hombi tombi korte laglen. Je je baDite kajer lok achhe, tader shobai ke deke jiggasha baad korlen. paDar lok i er modhye achhe.. tarai khabor diyechhe kon baDite mohilara adda mare.. chor to paliyechhe, tai budhhir bahoD beDei chollo.

Chhoto darogar shabar boyan nilen. Kathay kathay jante parlen je Ranu adday roj i jay, kebol aaj jay ni. Tini ebar Ranu ke pakDao korlen, keno jan ni? Jakhon churi hoy, takhon apni ki korchhilen? Kono shondehojanok lok ke dekhechhen? Ranu r takhon cheDe de ma kende banchi abostha. Jerar phanke bole dilo swapnowala r katha. Lokta oi shomoyei ekhan diye jachhilo. Bostir chheletar katha obdhi pouchhote holo na, shobai ekebare hamle paDlo. Pawa gechhe. Oi loktai tahole chor... ekebare shob mile jachhe. Roj roj paDay ghur ghur kara, swapno chai bole haank daak... ashole or kichhui nei bikrir... shudhu pheriwala sheje ghure beDay. Oi nirghaat chor. Niden pokhhe chorer shakred.

Ranu bhebechhilo aaj o Supriyor shonge katha bolbe na. Gatokaler raag aaj o dekhabe. Kintu eto baDo ghatona chepe jawa thik noy. Tai Supriyo baDi phirtei Ranu puro ghatona shobistare barnona kare. Supriyo shob shune tune gambhir hoye bale, 'dekhle to? Ami ki bolechhilam? Ei shob adda tadday gele ki hoy dekhchho to? Aar ami mana korechhilam bole kaal amar opor ki raag! Dekho to, aaj tumi obaDi gele tomar o jeto!' Ranu r du chokh diye jaler dhara name. Shotti i to, kaal na bujhe kato kichhu bolechhe. Kintu, o thik i bolechhilo. Ami boka, tai takhon bujhte pari ni. Prayoshchitto swaroop Ranu raate Supriyor pachhonder luchi begun bhaja toiri kare.
Bubun ke diye char te rashogolla o anay. Bubun ekta cheyechhilo, kintu dey ni. Katai ba? O kata Supriyo kei khaoay.

Emnitei ei churi r phale paDa besh garom chhilo, parer din bhimrooler chake jeno dhil poDlo. Sheta shonibaar. Kartara shob baDite. Boudir baDir adda bandho. Aar adda temon jombe bole moneo hoy na. Colony r maThe nagordola eshechhe. Bikele besh bhiD. Supriyo Ranu aar Bubun ke niye eshechhe. Bubun ta khub bayna dhorechhilo. Nagordolar line daDiye hoThath Ranu mathata ghure jay. Buker modhye hatuDir shobdo... o thik shunchhe to? E shur ki bhola shombhob? Ebar dekhechhe loktake. Shahosh achhe bolte habe! Kaal i atobaDo ekta ghatona ghote gelo, ar aaj ei melay eshechhe? Oi to, kandher jhula ta ekta tuler opor rekhe shur kore bolchhe 'ami swapner pheriwala haank diye jaai'.

Nagordolar lokta dakchhe, 'uThe ashun, noile shore jan, porer jon ke ashte din'
Supriyo birokto, 'ki holo? danDiye roile keno?'
Ranu r mukhe katha nei. Kono rakome haat tule loktake dekhay.

Tarpor je ki holo, ekhono Ranur kachhe dhonwa dhonwa. Khub ekta shorgol uthlo. Tarpor huDohuDi. daapa daapi. Chitkar. Kanna. jinish patro bhangar shobdo. Aste aste shob abchha.

Ranu r jakhon gyan phirlo, takhon o bichhanay shuye. Ogyan obosthay Supriyo oke baDi niye eshechhe. Pasher baDir Kamala mathay jal diyechhe kichhukhhon. Tarpor gyan eshechhe. Matha tultei, 'Na na utho na! shuye thako. ektu dudh khabe?'

Tatokhhone andhokar hoye gechhe. Mela bhenge gechhe shei kakhon! Bubun er ar nagordola chaDa hoy ni. Hobei ba ki kore? Eke to Ranu ogyan hoye poDlo. Tar opor lokta dhara poDe ki maar tai na khelo! Morei jeto, sheshe pulish eshe loktake thanay niye jay. Uttejito janota niye jete dite chay ni. Oder naki pulisher shonge shaaT
thake, poysha khaiye beriye ashbe. 'Tar cheye amader haate din. Aar konodin churi korte habe na' Shanto shishto manush gulor daant nokh beriye eshechilo. Raktakto oaboshthay loktake pulish jeep e tulechhe. jholata nite pare ni. Unmatto janota jholatay agun dhoriye diyechhe. Er por ar mela hoy? Bubun er ar ebar nagordola chaDa hobe na.

Kathay bale shomoy shob khatote malom lagay. PaDa abar shanto hoye eshechhe. daant nokh lukiye kartara abar jhol bhaat kheye office kachhari jachhe. Boura abar dupur bela eke eke adday ashchhe. Tobe ebar ar Mandira boudir baDi noy, Geeta mashimader baranday. Oder barandata besh baDo. Nim gacher chaya paDe to, tai besh ThanDa. Bubun ekhon din gunchhe colony r maThe raTher melar jonne. Ebar naki okhane electric nagordola ashbe. shonge merry go round.

Shob ager mato hoye gechhe, shudhu Ranu chhaDa. Or ekta matro ishaDay unmatto janata ekta manush ke pray mere phello, or sheta ekhono thik dhatostho hoy ni. Lok ta more jay ni to? Supriyo ke ekbar jiggesh korechiilo, mukh jhamta kheyechhe. Kamala ke kathaTa bolte Kamala o kemon obishwasher shure takalo. 'amader eto baDo sharbonash hoye gelo, ar tumi chorta kemon achhe shei bhabchho?' Ranu taDataDi kath guriye niyechhe. Pratibeshi der chaTale chale na, apode bipode orai to pashe danDay!

***

Parul Supriyor durshomporker bon hoy. Kachhei thakto, ekhon flat kine uThe gechhe. Oder grihoprobesher nemontonno khete giye ekta notun jinish chokhe poDlo. Oder boshar ghare boi er almarir modhye rakha. Lomba durbiner mato jinishta. Plastic er bolei mone hoy. Hate niye dekhe besh halka. Durbin noy. Parul ke jiggesh korte o khil khil kore heshe uThlo. 'Oma boudi, kaleidoscope dekhoni age? dekho ekbar, ki shundor!' Ranu chokhe diye mugdho hoye jay, nana ronger punti jhilmil kore muhurter modhye apurbo naksha enke dichhe, muhurte sheta miliye giye notun naksha phute uThchhe. Ki shundor!
'Kotha theke kinle go?'
'eta? eta oi tomader paDay thaktei kinechhi. Ekta lok pheri korto. Aar ki shundor kore haank dito, jano... swapno chai go? Swapno?'

Shubho Nabobarsho

Raat pohalei barsha baron, bangalir prothom parbon eshe gechhe. Ei ekdin amra garbo kore shudho banglay tarikh boli, mane ordhekta arki. Karon, poila baishakh obdhi thik achhe, tar por choddosho kato jeno? Ekhanei maximum loke honchot khay. Jagge, furshat kore anandabazar ta dekhe nilei habe... mone mone note niye rakhi.

School er chhoto classe thaka kalin aunty ra bejay jalaten ei shomoy. Poila boishakh niye rachona kikhte habe. Banglay tobu thik achhe, kintu ingrejite likhte besh hyapa chhilo. Mane, oi boDoder paye haat diye pronam karake ki lekha jay? Touched feet? Did pranam? Took blessings? Ei niye besh torkatorki lagto she shomoy. Tar por dharo adda mara... eta ki transaltion habe? Chatting? Gossiping? Kintu bangalir adda aro onek brihottaro ekta byapar noy ki? Mane, chatting e ar ke kabe political right-left niye chayer cup e tufan tulechhe? Ar discussion to nitantoi juvenile byapar shyapar... adday or theke onek beshi tej thake... ta shei tej ta ingrejite ki kore translate kara jay? Jagge. she shob niye ekhonkar bachha der bhabte hoy kina ke jane! ami to baba benche gechi.

Ja bolchhilam, nabobarsho. Ta nabobarsho manei school office chhuti. Aar bachhorer prothom din manei shokal bela ghum theke uthe snan kore notun jama para. Ma shokal belai shabdhan kore diten, 'aaj emon kichu koro na, jate bokuni khete hoy.' Tahole naki shara bochor bokuni khete habe. Ekbar bhebechilam, dekhi, shotti bachorbhor bokuni khete hoy kina. Kintu risk nite parini. Tomra keu try korechho?

Ranna ghar theke khushboo bheshe ashto polau aar mangshor. Ei dinta oi chilo amader barir bandha menu. Shonge cholar daal kimba fish fry... egulo change korto, kintu oi mangho bhaat ta fixed! Tai bela egarotar modhyei khide peye jeto. Ranna gharer shamne ghur ghur kortam... 'ma, taste korte habe?'

Edike TV te jor kadome jalsha hochhe... intellectual ra (orthath jader shomosto intellect choyale eshe jaDo hoyechhe) shada dhuti punjabi ba lal peDe shari pore jharjhare bookish banglay baani diye cholechhe. Nabobarsho mane Rabindrasangeet holo must. Sange kabita. Aar puro onushthan shongjojona hoto dhara galay prochondo emotionally script path kore... jemon 'Grishyer daab dahe jakhon dhoritri chatok pakhir nyay akasher dike takiye achhe, takhon prokriti kaal boishakhir sheetol parosh diye jaay'... byas shuru hoye gelo programer next item... kachi kachi meyera skirt blouse er opor garoder shari pore aar mathay bob chuler opor half dozen hair pin diye belkunDir mala lagiye group dance 'esho he baishakh esho esho'!

Dupur belata besh shada mata hoto. Notun jama pore ghumoteo ichhe korto na, abar poDte boshteo ichhe korto na. Pare cable TV ashar por TV r shamne boshe jetam... Ekta Uttam Suchitra ba Satyajit ray dekhabei. Bikel holei beriye paDa. Hoy karo baDite, noy kono theatre dekhte. Prochur adda mara hoto. Charidik theke bheshe asha bangla gaan, rajani gandhar gandho... bachorer prothom dinta besh bhaloi kaTto.

Tar por raat pohalei Abu Hoshener khoabnama shesh. Abar dhutdyath korte korte school e jao, rachona lekho, class test dao... maar odike jhi asheni bole tension, bapir inflation niye BP baDano... mithye protisrutir banya, stupakrito aborjona... durgandhe naak bandho, bubhukhher khide... ekdom routine. Kintu, oi majher ekta din jeno kemon onno rakom hoto. Kemon shob slow motion e cholto! Shei boi e jemon lekha thake na... purano bachorer glani muchhe phele notun bachhor ke swagato janano... thik temon... ekdom mahot mahot byapar. Kintu abar doshra elei je ke shei... keno je amra bachore matro ekdin mahanubhabota dekhate pari... ekhono thik bujhi na. Hoyto, roj roj dekhale sheta aar novelty thakbe na.. tai... ke jane!

Ekhon bodhoy aar sherakom poyla hoy na. Ekhono ki haal khatar nemontonno niye card ashe? Shei card hate niye kora shari pore lajuk lajuk mukhe ginni ra shonar dokane giye mishti kheye ashe? Jani na. Ekhon Choitrer mashe hoyto Shoppers Stop e sale dey (10% discount on everything), hoyto oh Kolkata y Daab-chingDir jonno paat poDe, hoyto notun kono bangla band nijeder dewa shure Rabindrasangeet gaay, hoyto mishtir dokane Sandesher badole kaju barfir bikri baDe, Hallmark banglay greetings card bajare chaDe... kintu modhyobitto bangalir jibone ei din novelty ekta thekei jaay. Ayojon juger shonge badlabei... kintu upalakkho ta je ek i achhe, shetai ki onek noy?

Ebar nabobarshe shabar jonno roilo antoril shubhechha. Shobai bhalo theko. Aar je jemon korei hok, ei ekta din ektu bangalitto celebrate koro... she kanta chamoch rekhe haat diye bhaat mekhei hok ba radio r Jazz channel ta ke rest diye ekta najrulgeeti shunei hok. Shubho Nabobarsho!

Dampatto

(dedicated to all bongs who are married, in the process of getting married or wish to get married one day)

Shaat pake bendhe godhuli alote dujoner shubho drishti
odike buffet te kobji dubiye gilchhe rabon gushti

'fool' shojja, modhu chandrima, antel kobir kabyo
tin mash jete na jete dutite Theke shekhe saar godyo

Shashuri mayer bater byatha oshudh rashi rashi
shoshur jaben laughing club e, bikat shobde hashi

Odike shyalika shopping pagol, nityo notun poshaak
bekar dewor shabar choto, cigarette khay? ta khak.

Ghentu pujo, neta bodol, mashkabari chanda
Ditei habe, noile rege jaben paDar dada.

Jhi asheni, bashon maja, kapor kacha baki
Washing machine-hin jiboner mane achhe naki?

Pujor bonus holo gayeb pujor du mash agei
hilli dilli nai ba holo, Puri jete habei.

Ghosh mashima dekhiye gelen aDai bhorir haar
Amaro chai, noile je go maan thake na aar.

Mrs. Sen ar Das kakimar jhagDa, katha bandho
Gangulider chhader bagan bela-juthir gandho

Kishan Bikash, jibon shudha - premium er bojha
Office theke club ta ghure, barir pothe shoja

weekend e machher chop ar rongin jaler ashor
CD player bajiye chale Bhumi-Cactus kashor

Khoka jabe St Xaviers babar manobashona
Mayer vote South Point, kono katha hobena!

Cricket coaching ankaar school e conflict bhishon
Ajob gero! khokar boyesh matro chha mash ekhon.

Second hand garir khonje miyar shonge bibi
tar i phanke mateni te Shahrukh khaner chhobi

Pherar pathe shoukhin phuldani ar tele bhaja
Tukro khusi jaler dare rojoni gandha taja

kapot kapoti nalbane dekhe gopon dirghoshash
'buDiye gechhi, aar ki habe' mithye ha hutash

begun poDay jhaal hoyni - raat dupure jhagDa
Mouno broto du mash, 'Kyonki Saas bahu' te bagDa

ekush shatoke, ei shonkhepe jiboner shar shotto
jhole aar jhale, daale ambole bangalir dampatto.

E kaler Bombagarh er Raja

Keu ki jano shadai keno americar raja
chhobir frame e bandhiye rakhe middle-east map bhaja?
Cheny r mathay oshtoprohor keno Laden buDo?
Saddam naame hechki tolen keno Donald khuDo?
shethay keno shordi hole Arab deshke doshe?
Jochhna raate Iraq hanar shopno dekhe koshe?
Ostadera top dage thik Afgan tak kore
Israel ke upodesh dei Hukka hua bole.
Montri keno bagol bajay rajar kole boshe?
Raja keno debate laDe bug shobhito beshe?
Al Qaida Al Jazeera Al Gore shob ek
(Idike) N. Korea Nuke banay, duniya chuloy jak!
Pakistan i bondhu swajon, terrorist banay to ki?
Bush-Mush aaj jot bendhechhe, ke Thekabe dekhi?
rajjobashi rajbarite chunDchhe pocha dim
Tai na dekhe rajamoshai er rokto holo him
Gay marriage i ashol issue Health care pore,
Keu duniyar hal-hakiqat bujhiye debe more?