‘ADDA’ – A cultural insight into Bengal, the sweetest part of India

If I were ever to settle anywhere outside India in a far-off sheltered bay of classical Western shores or let alone Western shores, be it the tranquil mountain slopes of the western Alps the thing which I am going to miss the most is “adda”, especially Puja “adda”.

Adda or mutual gathering as we all know can take place at any hour of the day. People enjoy these addas over little fries or tea garnished with some leg-pulling of others. Though these gatherings are in the DNA of Bengalis critics of such culture have pointed out that modern Bengalis can never aspire to rise above the ten-to-five jobs because we love to waste a large part of our precious time indulging in such cultural banters. But anyhow these informal gatherings can be seen in every nook and corner of Bengal, be it roadside tea shops, bus stands, or shady boughs of trees. These are general addas but there is a different version that adds a new flavor altogether. It’s the Puja adda, the one we have in the presence of Maa Durga in the para pandals…..