Utsav

Description

Utsav – Durga Puja and Me is a festive literary collection that blends humor, imagination, memory, and cultural reflection into one seamless narrative. Conceived and compiled by Kallol Saha, the book brings together original stories, chronicles, and creative essays that capture both the absurdities and the enchantments of everyday life in Bengal and beyond.

At its heart lies ‘The Dharani Dhar Chronicles: Age of Summons’ , a satirical journey through bureaucracy, identity, and civic rituals, where even pickles can be nationalized and buffaloes receive digital OTPs. Alongside this playful lampoon of contemporary existence, the book unfolds The Diary of Science Adventures, where professors from IIT Kharagpur stumble into time-bending discoveries that carry them from laboratories to the Amazon forests and even lunar bases of the future.

Complementing these are nostalgic tales like Tales of Triveni, which revisit the warmth, rivalry, and humor of family kitchens and winter gatherings, where food, gossip, and folklore intertwine to create living memories. Together, these narratives embody the spirit of Utsav—celebration not just of Durga Puja, but of imagination, community, and the small miracles of daily life.

Richly humorous, deeply human, and layered with satire as well as affection, this book invites readers to laugh, wonder, and perhaps rediscover their own childhood festivals and family anecdotes. Published in the blessed season of Durga Puja, it is both a tribute to tradition and a playful leap into futures unknown.

About The Author

Kallol Saha is a storyteller, consultant, and explorer of ideas whose life and work weave together the sciences, humanities, and the rhythms of everyday people. Trained as a geologist at Jadavpur University, he chose an unconventional path, stepping away from government service to dedicate himself to rural development, water security, and community entrepreneurship. Over the last two decades, he has worked closely with farmers, producer companies, and grassroots institutions, crafting solutions that blend hydrogeology, data, and human wisdom.

Alongside this professional journey runs his deep love for narratives. Kallol believes that stories are not separate from science or society—they are how we make sense of both. Through Development Connects, his consulting and creative platform, he writes across genres: from environmental case studies and policy essays to humorous chronicles, children’s tales, and cultural reflections. His recent ventures also include experimenting with AI tools to reimagine publishing, making it possible to bring large, ambitious works like Utsav to life during the festive season.

Humor, satire, and affection for Bengal’s everyday quirks run through much of his writing. Characters like Dharani Dhar, somber professors who stumble into cosmic adventures, or aunts waging culinary wars in fog-soaked winters reflect his ability to observe life with both laughter and tenderness. Publishing this collection during Durga Puja is, for him, the realization of a childhood dream—to share stories that help readers relive their own memories of celebration, family, and wonder.