My Lingering Love for Halloween: A Narrative of Cultural Fusion from the Heart of Kolkata

 Growing up in the bustling metropolis of Kolkata, nestled in the heart of West Bengal, the rich tapestry of Indian culture, heavily punctuated with vibrant religious festivities, encapsulated my childhood. As quintessentially Kolkata as jhal muri (puffed rice with spices) and the iconic Yellow Ambassadors crawling through the cityscape, I found a deep-rooted affinity, not for our customary celebrations, but quite intriguingly, for the decidedly western charm of Halloween.

Exotic and fascinating, Halloween stood out for me amidst the cacophony of colourful Durga Pujas, gleeful Holi celebrations, and illuminated Diwali nights. I've often questioned why my heart beats in excited anticipation when October 31 inches closer on our Gregorian calendars. And the answer, though seemingly strange for a Bengali bhadralok, manifests itself as a captivating tale. 

An exhilarating mixture of mirth, adventure, and a dash of the supernatural, Halloween, in its essence, embodied all that captured my young, imaginative mind. It was a party, an adventure, and a ghost-story author wrapped in a single night, offering a heady cocktail of experiences that I couldn’t resist.

The thrill of donning costumes, mimicking characters from the spookiest corners of global horror folklore or manifesting superheroes from the most popular comic books– it allowed me to step out from the familiarity of my persona. It made me feel not bound by any constraints; it offered me a chance to be anyone or anything, from a chilling spectre to an immaculately attired Count Dracula. 

These unusual bits and bobs that I collated for my costume were all hidden treasures, tucked away safely, each carrying their tale. The assortment was a curious spectacle to my friends and relatives, who often nodded their heads in disbelief at my unusual connection with this western festival. But for me, they were tickets to an alternate universe - they were my license to venture into fantasies, unshackled by the ties of reality.

I guess the root of my fascination could be traced back to my childhood’s bedtime stories when my ma, an avid reader of literature of different genre, would narratively navigate the literary landscape of different authors. From Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' to Washington Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' these stories, scented with the mystique of Halloween, embedded within me a curious allure for this distant festival.

Even though Halloween was an American import, it wasn’t completely unfamiliar. The underlying tones of reverence for the deceased and the belief in the supernatural were reminiscent of the Pitru Paksha. The Pitru Paksha is observed in Eastern India as a fortnight of paying homage to our ancestors’ departed souls, sharing the spiritual essence with Halloween's All Souls' Day. Hence, the cross-cultural parallels somehow made the foreign festival feel not-so-foreign to my Indian sensibilities.

As much as I loved the secrecy and mystic charm that Halloween night promised, the aspect of communal gathering, trick-o-treat adventures around the neighbourhood, and jack-o'-lantern carving session held equal allure. It reminded me of the camaraderie and collective effort during our beloved Durga Puja, especially 'Pandal' (marquee) building and subsequent 'adda' (friendly conversations), the community's heart (and entertainment).

Though a stark contrast from the traditional celebrations of my home city, Halloween resonated deeply with my unconventional spirit. It offered a similar sense of celebration, camaraderie and creativity that are integral to Kolkata's culture, sugar-coated in a safely spooky outlook.My love for Halloween in Kolkata might be an uncommon amalgam of East meeting West within one soul. It emanates from an admiration for eccentricities and a longing for cultural exploration. Although I adore the beauty of Shosthi (sixth day of Durga Puja), marvel at the colourful canvas of Holi and am fascinated by the crackers of Diwali, Halloween occupies an unshakeable nook in my heart.While Halloween might not illuminate our city with thousands of diyas like Diwali or overwhelm it with grandeur as the grand idol of Maa Durga does during the autumnal carnival, it adds a unique hue to my life. Each year, it brings with it a peculiar charm, a surge of euphoria, a concoction of emotions that is a curious mixture of familiarity and novelty, belonging and exploration. It fills my heart, offering a spectral sheen to the otherwise colourful palette of Kolkata's vibrant festivities. Against the city’s cultural backdrop, my fascination with Halloween sketches a narrative packed with my individuality and the tale of my cross-cultural exploration– a saga that shall continue to bewitch me for years.