A full-fledged family affair Uttam and Chittralekha's Durga Puja
National film award-winning actor Chittralekha Guha and six-time winning art director Uttam Guha make a popular couple in the entertainment industry. With their daughters, Arnila and Arnisha Guha, the couple annually celebrate Durga Puja in their hometown in Comilla. For the past two years though, they have had to celebrate without their daughters since both have moved abroad for higher education.
“Usually we go to Comilla much earlier for Puja celebrations, but this time we are going on the Ashtami (8th day of Durga Puja),” says Uttam Guha. Uttam is currently busy giving art direction to Alamgir's new film, “Ekti Cinema'r Golpo”, and Chittralekha herself is busy shooting for TV plays. Due to the hectic schedule, the couple has delayed their trip.
“Another reason we are going a little later is that we don't have our daughters with us once again this year. Usually, it is their hype and excitement that really drives us to go and celebrate with zeal. Now it sometimes feels like just a responsibility without them,” says Uttam.
With their entire family in different parts of the country, they all come together during this special time of the year. “All of us brothers get together. I have a flat in Comilla, and we all gather and live there together throughout the holiday. No one let's me cook during this occasion, so instead I delve into long 'addas' with my brothers and their children, and all the wives get the delicious Puja cooking done. I also have my childhood friends over there with who I share plenty of football and theatre memories, I also meet them every year during this time,” says Uttam.
Every other time, their daughters and all the cousins would hold impromptu cultural shows for the rest of the family that involves dancing, singing and a lot of laughter. “Ever since they moved abroad to study, the entire family, including their aunts, uncles and cousins, miss them very dearly,” says Chittra.
Arnila, who lives in the US, and Arnisha, who lives in Canada, informed their parents that they usually find certain places where Puja is celebrated and spend their day with their friends over there.
Chittralekha Guha has starred in popular films such as “Ekkatorer Maa Jononi”, “Lalsalu”, “Molla Barir Bou”, and “Khondogolpo 1971”. Uttam Guha has given art direction to many successful films such as “Onno Jibon”, “Mrittika Maya”, and the upcoming “Gohin Baluchor” by Badrul Anam Saud.