MA has arrived at her maternal home; the smell of dhuno fills the air, and the sound of the dhaak welcomes the evening sky. If there’s anything Bengalis love as much as pandal-hopping and binging on bhog during Durga Puja celebrations, it is cultural events — an integral part of ushering in the homecoming of the goddess. Committee members work hard and assemble a line-up that includes acts by the local community, as well as celebrities.

This year, as part of their cultural entertainment programme, south Mumbai’s Bombay Durga Bari Samiti (BDBS) will stage Rajarhat Rohoshyo (The mystery of Rajarhat), a gripping detective drama. “We began the tradition of an annual play almost a decade ago. It is directed, scripted, and performed by members of the organising committee. The rehearsals are a great way for the community to bond. The play ends up being quite a professional production every year despite amateur performers,” shares Susmita Mitra, President, BDBS. Madhuchhanda Mukhopadhyay and Dr Sumita Ghosh have directed the production.