The representation of Durga puja in the socio cultural sphere only denotes the sociological
reason behind the puja.Manifestating itself through the huge accumulation of potential social
and cultural capital, Durga puja stands as the biggest example of Bengal’s laudable spirit of
entrepreneurship. The Bengali Bhodrolok has always been the epitome of criticism for lacking the spirit of entrepreneurship and taking refuge in the relatively safe domain of chakri or
job. Bengalis as a community have often been criticised for internal bickering, mental envy
and lack of community feeling. But interestingly Bengalis have surpassed the negative traits
and displayed their fine sense of industry and enterprise through the annual Durga puja
festival .Post colonisation the trade of Bengal shifted to agro based products like indigo,jute,paddy etc.Destruction of industries lead to urbanisation of Bengal leading to Babudom – the Babu culture.Durga puja was set up and organised by this noveau rich giving way
in the Calcutta high society to the attainment of power and status symbol which was otherwise denied by the colonial government.Durga puja continuing well into Independence and
even after has attained its present height out of the Bengali’s sense of industry, enterprise ,creativity and innovation.
The camaraderie, collation of social capital, community resources in the sphere of art and
culture reminds me of one of the saying of Emile Durkheim-the father of modern Sociology. He said ‘Religion is a social fact’. No wonder religion in this Durga puja celebration is
one of the biggest examples of collective representation which expresses collective realities.Durga puja stands as a source of social solidarity of the Bengali community. It provides
social control, cohesion and purpose for all involved. Durga puja does all this for us transcending the border of religious parochialisation as we the Bengalis unknowingly emerge
ourselves in the festivities thinking Durga mandap as our ramp walk, our ball room, our art
exhibition, our club lounge.