Bachchu’s silver guitar shines at Rajshahi puja mandap
A huge replica of a silver guitar, associated with rock legend Ayub Bachchu, is drawing crowds at a puja mandap in Rajshahi city.
Tiger Shangha -- a local association of professionals -- installed the replica at the mandap constructed to accommodate Durga Puja celebration in Ranibazar area.
Alongside the guitar, a replica of the hat Bachchu was often seen in solidifies the reference to the icon’s identity.
If that weren’t enough, the organisers have also incorporated memorable verses from Bachchu’s classic songs. Prominent white letters on a black canvas read “Tumi keno bojhona, tomake chhara ami oshohaye” and “Ei rupali guitar phele”.
“The autumnal Durga Puja celebration is not limited to just one community, it has become a social festival all Bangalees can participate in,” member of Tiger Shangha, Sourav Pal Chowdhury -- who came up with idea of paying this homage to Ayub Bachchu -- explained.
“Ayub Bachchu was loved by the entire nation, so we thought it would be apt to honour his memories through this gesture,” he said.
Another reason behind the homage was that Bachchu passed away in October last year, and this year’s Durga Puja is being celebrated in the month as well.
The shangha’s general secretary Partha Pal Chowdhury said they wanted to remember and honour a great soul of the land.
Not only have they chosen to pay tribute to the musician through symbols, they are also playing his songs in loudspeakers while many mandaps are choosing to play Hindi songs, the association’s acting president Sushil Kumar Agarwala said.
Tiger Shangha’s endeavours are discussed in Rajshahi during festivals as they have been selectively choosing themes to portray during Durga Puja for the last several years.
Last year, they celebrated the country’s achievement of acquiring its first satellite -- Bangabandhu-1. Previous themes also include the Bangladeshi cricket team.
“I visited this mandap several times for its impressive theme. We really miss the legendary artist and he will forever live in our hearts,” Swati Basu, a visitor from Kazihata area of the city, said.
Many locals consider the homage to Ayub Bachchu during Durga Puja festival a unique example of the organisers’ love for the country and the prevailing harmony.
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