Eat, pray, celebrate: 2 Puja pandals hold 75th anniv festivities

Mumbai: There are two Durga Pujas with a common origin in the western suburbs. Both are celebrating their 75th anniversary. The North Bombay Sarbojanin Durgotsav started by producer-director Sashadhar Mukerji, one of the founding fathers of popular cinema, is hosting its event in Tulip Star hotel, Juhu, while Banga Maitri Sansad (BMS) is located in Prabhat Colony, Santacruz (E).

- Bella Jaisinghani

The first is a star-studded Puja managed by Mukerji’s descendants, including son Deb Mukerji and grandchildren Kajol, Samrat, Sharbani, Rani and Ayan Mukerji. The BMS pandal is managed by corporate professionals.

Deb Mukerji said, “I am privileged to continue a tradition that was started by my mother and then my father... His word commanded such respect that every artiste performed here over the decades. From Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey to my uncle Kishore Kumar and cousin Bappi Lahiri, all have sung here. We, as children, would serve bhog to our guests, and now Kajol, Rani and the other youngsters occasionally do so too.”