Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust, a non profit organization in Bangalore, founded in 2003, is involved in organizing socio-cultural events in Koramangala, the highlight being the "grand Durga Puja",[1] which "sees at least 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh visitors" every year.[2] It encourages "all people, irrespective of community, to participate"[3] in its cultural fiesta, branded as Sammad, which was inaugurated by the likes of Justice Santhosh Hegde, Captain Gopinath, Ashok Soota over the years.[4] "One of the oldest"[5] in the city, it's "more contemporary in terms of crowd"[6] among the various Durga Puja celebrations in Bangalore.

Seen as "a meeting ground for young people, many from the IT, banking and other sectors, who form the cream of Bangalore", major corporate brands like UB, HSBC, Reliance Jewels and others were involved with Sammad over the years.[7][8]

Important cultural icons, the likes of Kavita Krishnamoorthy, Anupam Roy, Srijit Mukherji, Parambrata Chatterjee, Srikanto Acharya, Lopamudra, Somlata, June Banerjee, Neel Dutt, Bhoomi, Cactus, Paras Pathar and others, have performed at Sammad.

Sammad 2009, organized by Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust and sponsored by UB Group

Background

Being the hub of IT in the nineties, Koramangala has been a locus of a large number of Bengalis for whom the nearest Durga Puja was Ulsoor. This prompted a group of people staying in and around Koramangala, who "pined for home at that time of the year when the dhaaks beat out their insistent rhythm and the smell of egg rolls is redolent in the air",[7] to start one in Koramangala.[9]

Over the years its USP became a "new age feel", like "arranging a rock competition for college students during the five days of celebrations."[10]

Media

In Koramangala, the pandal by Sarathi Cultural Association is more contemporary in terms of the crowd and the stalls. - Deccan Herald[6]

"We encourage all people, irrespective of community, to participate in the Puja," said Sudipto Das, a member of Sarathi. - Times of India[3]

There are various fun-filled activities lined up, some of which include performances by Bengali pop artistes and bands along with a homemade food fiesta. - The Hindu[11]

Nowadays, even the non-bengalis have joined in this celebration. - The New Indian Express[9]

“These Pujas are a meeting ground for young people, many from the IT, banking and other sectors, who form the cream of Bangalore. That’s why UB gets involved in a major way,” says [Aloke] Basu. - The Telegraph[7]

"We have been distributing free bhog everyday...,” says Alok Basu, the chairman of the Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust. - Deccan Herald[12]

External links

Home Page: http://sarathionline.org/index.html

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarathi-Koramangala-Durga-Puja/139827092715474

Blog: http://sarathionline.blogspot.in/

References

  1. ↑ DATTA, SHANTANU (July 26, 2008). "A trip down bomb-planted pavements". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ SUKUMARAN, AJAY (September 27, 2009). "Lakshmi smile on Durga Puja - Hint of revival from crisis in bangalore festivities". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mukherjee, Saswati B (Oct 18, 2012). "Durga Puja 2012: Bangalore's 4 lakh Bengalis all set for the festivity". Times of India. Retrieved Sep 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Sarathi Home Page". Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Lasrado, Svetlana. "Many facets of a fest". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Satyanarayan, Shwetha (October 11, 2013). "Soak up the ambience". Deccan Herald. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 BAGCHI, SHRABONTI (October 5, 2008). "The Bangalore connection". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Sarathi: Corporate". Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Dutta Roy, Anindita (Nov 12, 2012). "Chant 'Ma Kali' this Diwali". The New Indian Express. Retrieved Sep 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Sarathi: In News". Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Bengalis get ready for Durga Puja". The Hindu. October 17, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ Sher, Sonal. "A melange of festivities". Deccan Herald. Retrieved September 27, 2014.