In Bengal , Saraswathi the Goddess of education and music is considered to be the daughter of Mother Durga. Bengalis believe that Goddess Saraswathi was born on Vasant Panchami and they celebrate her brithday with great pomp and show.

New England's Bengali association, Bangla-O-Biswa recently celebrated the Saraswati puja in a church in Cambridge, MA on February 5, 2006. The event began at noon with a traditional pooja  performed by Anita and  Tapan Bhattachrya. The pooja mimicked the pooja done back home in Bengal. Floral offerings were made. Books, articles, instruments of music and arts were placed before the Goddess. The pooja concluded with Anjali and the distribution of prasad. 

A late lunch followed the puja  The cultural presentation that followed showcased dance and music by some of the finest local artists. There were performances of dance, songs and recitations by small childrens. Mrs. Anjana Roy and Dr. Soumitro Pal  presented old Bengali songs and also a duet song of Rabindranath Tagore. They were accompanied by Mr. Sagar Dey in Tabla. Their entire presentation delighted the audience.

The highlight of the event was a musical presentation by Mrs. Madhumita Saha. She was a host of a musical show on a Bengali music channel in Kolkatta. She presented some popular Bengali modern songs of Salil Chowdhuty, Madhury Chatterjee and others. Her professional presentaion transported the audience back home to Bengal.

After the program the hundred or so attendees received a sumptuous multicourse prepared by volunteers on site.  A beautiful event and a wonderful tribute indeed to the Goddess of knowledge.

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