The vibrant rhythms of the dhak and the sweet aroma of traditional Bengali cuisine will fill the air once more as MAitRI, a prominent Bengali cultural association, hosts Rhode Island’s annual Durga Puja. Scheduled for October 17 and 18, the two-day festival will take place at the picturesque Barrington Congregational Church, overlooking the bay.

After its historic debut in 2024—which marked the state’s first-ever celebration of the festival—MAitRI has grown from its founding group of five families into a thriving network of over 50. This year’s gathering aims to blend rich cultural heritage with a profound message of global empathy.

Moving beyond standard festivities, MAitRI has dedicated a portion of the exhibition to highlight climate resilience and empathy. An artistic installation will address recent devastating floods in regions like Assam and Nepal, depicting makeshift pandal shelters and celebrating community endurance. Complementing this reflective theme is a nostalgic tribute to Kolkata’s iconic neighborhood tea stalls (cha-er dokan), offering visitors a quintessential taste of roadside adda and community chatter.

Art and music remain at the core of the weekend’s itinerary. Performances will spotlight regional talent spanning multiple generations, culminating on October 18 with a debut classical jugalbandi featuring renowned violinist Anabil Chaudhuri and tabla virtuoso Partha Karmakar. No celebration would be complete without traditional culinary favorites, with volunteers serving up comfort classics like mutton kosha, khichuri, and rosogolla.

As MAitRI continues to foster belonging and friendship across New England, this year’s Puja promises a weekend where festive joy, artistic expression, and compassion seamlessly converge.

About the author: Prateek Mandal, Rhode Island