On the birth anniversary of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore, Swisspuja members take part in ‘Probhat Pheri’ (‘early morning walk’) at Lake Zurich. It takes place on a weekend morning close to ‘25th Boisakh’, Kobiguru’s birthdate as per the Bengali calendar.
We start by congregating at 8.45 am on the banks of Lake Zurich, at Mythenquai. The red and white sarees and the traditional clothes of the men and children draws admiring stares from the few morning walkers there. Then we start on our walk which goes from Mythenquai to Buerkliplatz, upto Bellevue (Opera House) and back again. The total distance is just about 3.5 kms. We stop from point to point to sing and celebrate Rabindranth’s poetry and music.
Like all events some amount of preparation is needed – police permission for congregrating as a group (not more than 50), organising breakfast on the shores of Lake Zurich after the walk (traditionally kochuri and alurdom, supported by tea), print outs of the songs, making placards to carry on the walks. All this adds to the build up to the event and then all that’s left to do is pray for good weather!
The first celebration of every year is Rabindra Jayanti, usually in early May.
In 2022, there is a slight change as Bengali Naboborsho and Rabindra Jayanti are being celebrated under one headline, ‘Esho Hey Biosakh’.
With the approach of Spring and the easing of Corona restrictions, the celebration is going to be in the physical space, moving away from the digital celebration of the last two years.
Childern and adults are preparing to perform dance, song, ‘abritti’, even a small 15 minute ‘natok’ while the Executive Committee are working on the logostics of ‘pet pujo’, very crucial for a successful event.
Pending police permission, there will also be Probhat Pheri on the banks of Lake Zurich, for Rabindra Janati.
