From coast to coast, America gathered this weekend, but few gatherings matched what unfolded in New York’s Times Square on Saturday.
The Times Square Durga Utsav Association presented its second annual Sharadiya Durga Puja on October 10, drawing thousands to the heart of Manhattan for a full day of ritual, music, dance, and community. Among the honored guests, celebrated as royal celebrity speakers and greeted with cheers: H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe and his mother, Dr. Antonia Prinzessin zu Schaumburg-Lippe.
Anupam Dutta, the association’s chair for guest relations and hospitality, welcomed the two personally. The families have been close friends for years.
A National Story
What happened in Times Square matters far beyond New York. Durga Puja is observed by Bengali communities across the United States, from California to Texas to Illinois. But staging the second annual celebration in the nation’s most visible public square sends a message to every one of those communities: your heritage has a home on the national stage.
The program was comprehensive. Chandi recitation by Satyam Ray Chowdhury opened the day. Gaane Stotre Mahalaya, directed by Riddhi Bandyopadhyay with chorus under Mohitosh Talukdar Tapas, followed. At 12:30, Priest Prabhas Chakraborty led the central rituals: Devi Bodhan, Adhibas, Shashthi Puja, Maha Saptami. The afternoon included Pushpanjali, prasad, and a Bhagavad Gita recitation directed by Sutipa Chowdhury.
Cultural performances filled the schedule: Sangeet Sadhana under Malabika Chatterjee, Naba Ananda Jago, Shubhra and Shweta Goswami, Adda’s Anjali with dance direction by Srijita Hiya and Amanjit Kar, Sivanshi Chatterjee Mohanty, Nevi Das, Shah Mahbub, and the evening’s Dash Maha Vidya, a 60-performer Nrityanjali production choreographed by Chandra Banerjee, capped by a Mekhla Das Gupta concert.
Leaders Take Note
The supporter roster underscored the national significance. Mayor Zohra Mamdani of New York. The Consuls General of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand. Civic figures Ashok Rakshit, Milan Aon, Jai Prakash Biswas. Chair Mridul Pathak. Host Dr. Kallol Basu. President Sasadhar Howlader. Partners including Asha for Education.
Prince Mario-Max, introduced as His Highness and Excellency Global Peace Ambassador, working royal, award-winning television and event host, Bertelsmann Random House author, public speaker, and philanthropist, brought international recognition. The son of H.H. Dr.h.c. Prince Waldemar and H.H. Dr. Princess Antonia of Schaumburg-Lippe, grandson of H.R.H. Princess Feodora of Denmark, of the Royal Danish Nachod Line, he connected the celebration to a wider world.
His mother, Dr. Antonia Prinzessin zu Schaumburg-Lippe, added grace to the occasion. Nirupama Saha’s closing thanks honored every contributor.
From Times Square to every American city where Durga Puja is celebrated, the message was clear: this tradition is not marginal. It is national, it is public, and it is here to stay.
Related reading: A Drone Will Soon Dr, Driverless Trucks Ju, Dinner Is Rolling In.
Be First to Comment