From the BHF President's Desk

Suranjan Som

Chair of Trustees Bengal Heritage Foundation

Having had the privilege of being the first President of London Sharad Utsav (LSU), it feels really humbling to return to the role after over a decade. A lot has happened in these last 13 years, as we, as an organisation evolved into Bengal Heritage Foundation (BHF), with a remit that goes way beyond Durga Puja, focussed on the preservation, promotion and proliferation of our culture and heritage across India and UK – acting as a “living bridge ” . Today with a core organisation base of over 175 individuals and thousands of supporters and well-wishers across the diaspora, BHF is busy throughout the year, with activities as diverse as Fagun Fest (showcasing raw talent in music, art and crafts from the heart of Bengal in the UK); remembering Rabindra Nath Tagore every year celebrating Rabindra Jayanti in collaboration with Nehru Centre and the Indian High Commission; keeping the diaspora fit and active with sporting events such as the Indian Superfans League football tournament and Bengal British Heritage Cup at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata; restoring terracotta temples in Bengal; digitising the theatrical heritage of Bengal; and many more smaller events and activities. At the same, we have high regard for our diaspora collaborators that includes organisations such as Sanskriti Reading, RBBA, Essex Indians, IBUK, IIW, Croydon Bengali Connection, UKBC, Banchbo – the Healing Touch, Calcutta Rescue, amongst others and of course our formal partners High Commission of India in the UK, British High Commission in the India and the IndoBritish Scholars Association. I am thankful to the British Council and the British High Commission in particular, for inviting us exclusively to attend the Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata (in April this year) as part of the UK delegation. And of course, all our members carry out all of these activities and more beyond their day-job or full-time education. So, my heartfelt thanks to all of our members and our partners. Durga Puja, however, remains our flagship event every year. Attracting close to 12,000 individuals over 4 days, we are today, the largest Durga Puja in Europe. Set at the historic Ealing Town Hall, the Puja brings together a unique milieu of tradition and trend, ensuring adherence to ceremonial rituals while creating an atmosphere of celebration of art, music, food and fun. On the one hand, it is about creating an experience for the wider population and newer generations to appreciate while on the other, it is about re-creating an experience for the diaspora who crave to re-live “Barowari Pujo ” from their days back home. This year, we have introduced a unique “Naba Patrika Snan ” on the banks of the Thames, before we kick-off our Puja on Friday morning (30th Sept). Our other key attractions this year include performance by award winning singer Sayani Palit from India, “Colours of India ” – a kaleidoscope of folk dances from across India performed by the ladies of BHF, “Sundor Swarnali Sandhya ” – a beautiful golden evening of Bengali melodies by the BHF Ensemble, “Bollywood Extravaganza ” – a rocking Sunday evening swinging to BHF Ensemble and 515 Crew (the #1 Bollywood band in the UK), “Dhaaker Tale Komor Dole ” – Dhaak Dhunuchi Competition, “Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ” Quiz competition, “Hatti Matim Tim

” by BHF Toddlers, “Khoka Khukur Dol Bol” by BHF Kids,

“Surer Madhuri” –Antakshari and last but not the least “Freestyle ” where our Gen Next members turn “DJ” to wind down the night with foot-tapping dance numbers. A true representation of tradition meeting trend! This year has been a year of mixed emotions. While on the brighter side of things, we celebrated the Queen ’ s Platinum Jubilee, we immersed ourselves in marking 75 years of India ’ s Independence, we are also grieving the passing away of the longest living monarch of the Britain, Queen Elizabeth II. At the same time, Durga Puja finally got recognised internationally as the UNESCO inscribed it as an institution of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. With a backdrop of these events around us this year, the theme of our Puja is embodiment of these thoughts. And as life goes on, our humble contribution to “Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ” this year, in reverence to Ma Durga, hopes to, as always, protect you and your families from all forms of evil around us and we hope Ma blesses us all with good health, happiness and prosperity.

Suranjan Som (in the middle) with Eric Falt, Director of UNESCO, the person responsible for the Inscription of Durga Puja by the UNESCO (on the right) . 5

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II was a well wisher of London Sharad Utsav. We are deeply saddened by the demise of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.