Pujo Release Albums: A Nostalgic Melody from My Growing Up Years

As we are celebrating the Durga Puja, ?I find myself drifting back to the era of Pujo album releases, especially after a recent Malhaar performance in Dubai where classic Pujo songs filled the air. Listening to those timeless tunes, a thought lingers—why don’t we have new Pujo albums anymore, especially in this age of digital streaming?

In the late 70s through the 90s, Pujo was much more than rituals and pandal hopping; it was about the music. Growing up in Silchar, far from the cultural heartbeat of Kolkata, these Pujo albums were our window to Bengali musical culture. Every September, local stores would start stocking up on the latest cassettes, and the joy of buying them was unmatched. These albums didn’t just play in the background—they became part of the fabric of our celebrations, looping endlessly until every tune was imprinted in my mind.

Artists like Ajoy Chakrabarty, Hemanta Mukherjee, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, and Lata Mangeshkar were the voices that defined the Pujo spirit. RD Burman and Bappi Lahiri added a modern twist to the traditional sounds, creating something magical. I can still vividly recall Hemanta Mukherjee’s iconic voice in?Pujor Gaan 1985, particularly his rendition of?"Ei Sundor Swarnali Sandhyay", which captured the peace and beauty of the evening aartis at home.

Manna Dey’s unforgettable performance in?Shei Phul Phutuk Na Phutuk?(1976) is another memory I hold dear. These songs accompanied every facet of Pujo, from preparing for pandal visits to family gatherings. Despite being in Silchar, far from Kolkata’s grandeur, we felt connected to the Bengali culture through these musical treasures.

The joy of sharing these tapes with neighbors, rewinding them endlessly, and replaying our favorite tracks was a unique experience. The variety in these albums—from classical compositions to modern, upbeat melodies—opened my eyes to a world of musical diversity. Some of these songs even found their way into Bollywood. For example, Lata Mangeshkar’s?Na Jeo Na?evolved into the beloved?"O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi"?in Hindi films, and RD Burman’s Pujo hits often became Bollywood chartbusters, bridging the gap between regional and mainstream Indian music.

Today, however, I often wonder—where have the Pujo albums gone? The digital age has ushered in a preference for single releases, but something essential has been lost. Those albums, carefully curated to offer a rich blend of styles and emotions, provided an immersive experience that modern singles simply can’t replicate.

I believe there’s still room for Pujo albums in today’s world. Reviving this tradition wouldn’t just be a nostalgic nod to the past—it could become a cultural treasure once more. In an era where music is often fleeting, a well-crafted Pujo album could stand the test of time and create lasting memories.

Even now, when I hear an old Pujo song, I’m transported back to those childhood evenings—the cool autumn breeze, the scent of shiuli flowers, and the sound of those beautiful melodies filling the air. Some traditions, like Pujo albums, are worth preserving for the future.