Durga Puja in Patna: My Memories of Lights, Faith, and Festivity

#UtsavEdition2026

Nada Sharique

MAJMC Sem 1 (2026)

P.C: Nada

Every autumn, Patna transforms into a glowing realm of memories, lights, and endless devotion. Growing up with Durga Puja in the heart of Bihar, the festival has always meant much more than a holiday—it is a sensory journey that marks the changing season and brings the whole city alive.

The magic truly begins on Maha Saptami when the streets turn into a massive, late-night open-air gallery. I remember walking through the illuminated stretches of Bailey Road and Fraser Road under a canopy of vibrant LED light gates. The grand pandals—from the towering architectural replicas at Dakbungalow Crossing to the traditional art displays at Boring Road and Sri Krishna Puri—never cease to amaze. Each corner tells a new visual story, crafted by master artisans who pour months of effort into every clay curve and Daaker Saaj detail.

Beyond the grandeur, it is the quiet, soul-stirring moments that stick with me: the hypnotic rhythm of the dhak, the smoky fragrance of dhunuchi incense during the evening aarti, and the late-night pandal hopping with family and friends. Pausing for hot street food amidst the festive rush, laughing off the crowd, and soaking in the collective joy—that is the true heart of Patna's Durga. As the festival draws to a close on Vijayadashami, a bittersweet stillness settles over the city. The grand procession to the Ganga ghats for Visarjan is a breathtaking spectacle of color and emotion. Watching the majestic idols gently submerge into the sacred waters of the Ganges brings tears to many eyes, yet the heavy air echoes with resilient chants of "Asche Bochor Abar Hobe" (She will return next year). The smeared Sindoor Khela, the exchange of sweet Rosogollas, and warm Bijoya greetings leave an indelible warmth in our hearts, promising that this dazzling celebration of good over evil will forever illuminate Patna’s soul.

Durga Puja in Darjeeling: Where the Mountains Celebrate

 #UtsavEdition 2026 

Noirikta Basu

MAJMC Sem 1

pexels

When autumn arrives in the hills, the familiar sound of dhak begins to echo against the mountains. Durga Puja in Darjeeling is more than a religious festival—it is a celebration shaped by misty mornings, winding roads, breathtaking mountain views and the warm spirit of the local community.

Unlike the grand and crowded celebrations of the plains, Durga Puja in Darjeeling has a quieter and more intimate charm. Community pandals come alive with lights, flowers and traditional decorations, while local residents gather to offer prayers, share meals and participate in cultural programmes. The festive atmosphere beautifully blends the town’s colonial charm with its panoramic views of the Himalayas.

What makes Durga Puja in Darjeeling truly unique is its natural setting. The sight of Goddess Durga surrounded by clouds, pine trees and distant Himalayan peaks creates a magical atmosphere. As the evening mist settles over the hills, the glow of pandal lights and the rhythmic beats of the dhak make the celebrations even more special.

For visitors, Durga Puja in Darjeeling offers a memorable experience where faith meets nature and tradition meets local culture. Amidst the mountains, the festival feels less like a grand spectacle and more like a shared celebration of community, heritage and togetherness. It is this peaceful atmosphere and the warmth of its people that make Durga Puja in Darjeeling truly special.

#UtsavEdition2026 - Chorbagan Durga Puja

A night of devotion turned into a tragedy

 Guest Column

Suparna Ghosh

Amity University

Maa

#UtsavEdition2026

Krittika Saha

BAJMC Sem 1 (2026)

Pexels

 

 

ASCO TIMES - PUJA EDITION 2026

OCTOBER 2026

VOLUME III

CHIEF EDITOR - PROF. MOUMITA DE DAS

CHIEF DESIGNER - PUNAM CHAKRABORTY, MAJMC 3

SUB EDITOR - ANUSHKA ROY CHOWDHURY, MAJMC 1

PATRON - PROF. DR. AKASH DEEP MUNI

AMITY SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION (ASCO)

The Woman Who Refused to Give Up!

 Guest Column

Suparna Ghosh

Amity University

P.C: Suparna Ghosh 

She stood there with her arms stretched wide, as if she were ready to embrace the sky. Behind her, colourful wings spread across the wall, reminding her of the freedom she had always dreamed of.

But beneath her smile lived a story that few people knew.

She was a woman fighting a silent battle, walking through life without anyone to hold her hand. There were days when loneliness became her closest companion, when tears fell behind closed doors, and when the weight of her struggles almost made her forget her own worth.

Life had never promised her an easy journey. She had stumbled, broken down, and picked herself up more times than she could count. She had learned that not everyone who smiles is happy, and not everyone who stands alone is weak.

Sometimes, she wished someone would understand her pain without asking her to explain it. Someone who would tell her, “You don't have to be strong all the time.”

But life had taught her to become her own strength.

She had dreams bigger than her fears, hopes brighter than her darkest nights, and a heart that refused to surrender. She didn't want to live merely to survive; she wanted to live fully, to discover her potential, to stand tall, and to fly high.

Those colourful wings behind her were more than a painting. They were a reflection of the woman she was becoming—a woman who was tired but not defeated, lonely but not lost, wounded but still full of hope.

She knew her journey would not be easy. She might have to fight many battles alone, and there might be moments when the world would fail to see her worth.

But she had finally understood one beautiful truth: she didn't need anyone's permission to spread her wings.

So she smiled, lifted her arms, and looked towards the sky.

One day, she would fly—not because life had become easier, but because she had become stronger.

And when that day came, the world would see what she had always known deep inside her heart:

She was never born to remain on the ground. She was born to fly.

 

 

Unveiling the Feminine Psyche: ASCOPE Attends Lopamudra Banerjee’s Book Launch ‘How Does It Matter?’

Book Launch Report

Aishwarya Siingh

BAJMC Sem 3

The book and the launch event attended by the city's well-known dignitaries

The launch of Lopamudra Banerjee’s book, How Does It Matter? Portrait of the Artist as a Woman, took place on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 6 PM at Cafe I Can Flyy Tea Kafi in Ballygunge, Kolkata. Representing the Amity School of Communication (ASCO), the gathering provided a deeply intellectual and emotionally charged space to celebrate poetry over prose as an essential, moving medium capable of expressing what prose often cannot reach. The event was graced by Chief Guest Moon Moon Sen, former Member of the Lok Sabha and celebrated actress. The evening’s discourse was brilliantly navigated and moderated by arts and events curator Oindrilla Dutt, alongside a panel of distinguished intellectuals, including author, scholar, and women's rights activist Jael Silliman, writer and diplomat Roma Bhattacharjea, and acclaimed film director Sudeshna Roy. Rooted deeply in her cultural origins, Banerjee’s voice resonated powerfully across the room, leaving attendees with the uncanny feeling that each verse held up a mirror to their own inner worlds and lived experiences.

Author, Lopamudra Banerjee

The central narrative of the panel discussion delved directly into the heart of the anthology, a collection of 80 fiercely feminist poems designed to give authentic, unyielding shape to the complex identity of women. The panelists praised Banerjee for her rare ability to distill profound human experiences into just a few visceral, carefully crafted words, leveraging intense and striking female imagery to explore raw themes of despair, systemic discrimination, betrayal, dislocation, and the fragile struggle to preserve sanity. A significant portion of the discourse focused on how societal structures consistently suppress women across all dimensions—emotionally, mentally, and intimately—pointing out how rarely a woman’s genuine desires and agency are acknowledged in her physical or sensual relationships. Through non-linear storytelling influenced by the raw, unbridled intensity of Sylvia Plath and showcased in evocative pieces like The Kali and Dancing in the Rain, Banerjee captures both the emotional weight of 18 years of togetherness and the terrifying sensation of being out of control, alongside the transcendent hope embodied by children dancing amid life’s sudden storms.

Audience at the event

Ultimately, the event brought into sharp focus the reality that this collection was created not for commercial gain or mass consumption, but rather for a niche audience—for literary scholars, women's studies enthusiasts, and the starving artist within who continually returns to poetry for personal salvation. The dynamic arc of the poems functions like a prism of light, wherein dark imagery of blackness, thunder, lightning, and rain undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis into the fertile, reborn essence of caustic breath, fresh blood, and renewed vitality. The influence of travel and venturing into unknown places was highlighted as a critical catalyst that expands an author's knowledge without severing ties to the places and values already known. The evening concluded with a shared reverence for the transformative weight of language, leaving no doubt that through Banerjee's courageous writing, even the most isolated and suppressed corners of female existence can find a lasting voice, a place of belonging, and ultimate liberation.

 

Mastering Modern Storytelling: Abhinav Decodes Micro-Dramas, Series Bibles, and AI in Media

Report

Aishwarya Siingh

BAJMC 3

Abhinav Banerjee at the session 

The Amity School of Communication (ASCO) hosted an engaging guest lecture titled "From Words to Worlds: The Journey of a Story from Script to Screen" on August 24 at  Big Studio convened by Prof. Moumita De Das, ASCO. The session featured guest speaker, Abhinav Banerjee, who was felicitated by Prof. (Dr.) Akash Deep Muni, Dean of ASCO. Abhinav, an accomplished Creative Producer with extensive experience in digital-first storytelling, audio series, micro-dramas, and AI-assisted productions, brought rich industry insights—drawing from key projects like the AI-assisted YouTube series Blood Boy and successful vertical micro-dramas such as Crypto King and Nafrat—to offer students a realistic and forward-looking view of the entertainment ecosystem.

The Convenor Prof. Moumita De Das along with the guest

Banerjee opened the session by unpacking foundational narrative theory, focusing on Christopher Booker’s classic concept that all storytelling across books, movies, and serials is rooted in just 7 basic plots. He illustrated how timeless tropes—such as Revenge, Rags to Riches, and Forbidden Love—continue to dominate modern entertainment. Unpacking audience psychology, he explained why viewers consistently devour cliché plotlines. With a lighthearted example, he highlighted the famous Indian serial trope where a wronged character fakes their death and returns for vengeance: despite no plastic surgery, a simple change of makeup, outfit, or addition of eyeglasses magically deceives lifelong acquaintances. Though absurd on paper, these recognizable tropes remain effective because they fulfill specific emotional payoffs that audiences crave.

Abhinav Banerjee interacting with ASCO students

Moving into practical production frameworks, Banerjee demystified the process of crafting a series bible—the blueprint that locks in tone, character arcs, visual rules, and episodic structures for serial content. He explained how modern creators construct show bibles to keep long-running narratives consistent, and highlighted how industry professionals increasingly leverage generative AI tools to draft, structure, and refine these bibles seamlessly. He then detailed the explosive growth of vertical micro-dramas and bite-sized episodic content. Major streaming platforms and dedicated apps (such as Disney+ Hotstar, ReelShort, DramaBox, and EIGHT’s Vertical TV) are rapidly launching specialized verticals for micro-content. He further explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping end-to-end creation, with creators employing generative AI workflows—utilizing tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Nano Banana Pro, Google Flow, Seedance, and Cinema Studio—for everything from storyboarding and music composition to generating full-scale AI movies.

The two-hour session was highly interactive. Banerjee showcased screenings of his own micro-dramas and an AI-generated movie, followed by an entertaining game where students identified famous film characters and quoted their iconic dialogues. Closing with practical career advice, he urged aspiring media professionals to build strong personal brands on Instagram and LinkedIn to showcase their portfolios and network effectively within the rapidly evolving entertainment industry.

 

 

9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026: A Celebration of Cinema

Report

Anuradha Halder

BAJMC Sem 3

9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026 

The four-day 9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026 was held from August 27- 30, 2026 at Barasat Vidyasagar Mancha Municipality Hall, Barasat organised by the Ritu Rangam Natyakendra. The festival commemorated the contribution of the erstwhile director, Rituparno Ghosh. It brought together filmmakers, artists, students, literature and cinema enthusiasts at one platform to celebrate cinema. More than 50 films from India and other countries such as Italy, France and the USA, across different languages and genres were showcased.

ASCOPE team covered the final-day, which began with a beautiful classical Kathak performance by a talented team. The graceful movements, expressions and rhythmic presentation created an engaging start to the day's programme. Following the performance, the National Film Competition began at 12 p.m. A number of films were screened as part of the competition, including Gajon, Hymns of Nature by Debanjana Manji, Eti Tomar, an Assamese film by Purbis Ahmad, and The Last Voyage, a Bengali short fiction film by Bhaswati Roy. The films presented different stories and perspectives, making the screening session an interesting experience for the audience.

ASCOPE Team, Atreyee, Anuradha and Rupa along with Prof. Sourav Kr. Basu with other dignitaries

At 3:30 p.m., a special screening of Annapurna Bhavan was held. The approximately 30-minute short fiction film was directed by Rahul Biswas, the founder of the Riturangam International Film Festival. The screening added a special dimension to the day's programme as the audience got the opportunity to watch a work by the person who had played a key role in bringing the festival together.

At 4 p.m., the programme continued with the unveiling of a special issue of Kajari magazine, followed by a panel discussion featuring distinguished personalities from the film industry. The panel included Smt. Sreelekha Mukherji, National Award-winning actress and Jury Chairperson; Smt. Sarmistha Maiti, two-time National Award-winning filmmaker; Sri Rajdeep Paul, two-time National Award-winning filmmaker and alumnus of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute; Smt. Jayashree Bhattacharya, renowned filmmaker; Smt. Olivia Das, renowned sound designer; Sri Samrat Ray Chakraborty, award-winning independent filmmaker; and Partha Chakraborty, renowned film director.

Organiser Rahul Biswas of Ritu Rangam Natyakendra

The panel discussion focused particularly on short films and the art of storytelling. The speakers discussed the process of making short films, the importance of developing meaningful stories within a limited duration and the ways in which films can connect with and affect audiences. Their experiences and perspectives provided valuable insights into the creative and practical aspects of filmmaking. For students and aspiring filmmakers in the audience, the discussion offered an opportunity to understand cinema beyond simply watching a film on screen.

The next special screening took place at 4:30 p.m., when Kayantar was presented. The approximately 29-minute short fiction film was produced by Aurora Film Corporation and directed by Sarmistha Maiti and Rajdeep Paul. The screening further highlighted the festival's focus on short and independent films and provided the audience with another engaging cinematic experience.

At 5 p.m., the festival moved towards a master class and talk session, followed by the much-awaited award distribution ceremony. Several films received prizes and special recognition in different categories. Films such as The Last Voyage, Jhor, Ure Jabar Bayna, Neel Ghori and The Accused, among others, were recognised during the ceremony. The award distribution brought an atmosphere of excitement and appreciation as the festival acknowledged the creative efforts of filmmakers and artists.

The closing ceremony brought together the filmmakers, jury members, artists, participants and audience members who had been part of the festival, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere at the venue. The interactions among the guests and the audience continued even after the formal proceedings, with conversations around films, performances and the festival itself.

9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026 

With the final awards being presented and the last moments of the programme filled with applause and appreciation, the 9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026 came to a close. The four-day celebration stood as a vibrant gathering of cinema and creativity, while keeping the spirit of Rituparno Ghosh at its heart. The final day ended on a memorable note, bringing our second day at the festival to a fitting close.

 

The Double-Edged Digital Resistance: How Meme Culture Powered—and Polarized—the NEET-UG Agitation

Aishwarya Siingh

BAJMC Sem 3

Meme fest during Jantar Mantar Protests

The NEET-UG paper leak scandals and systemic exam delays threw the lives of over 2.4 million medical aspirants into total chaos, triggering an unprecedented wave of rage that brought Jantar Mantar to a complete standstill. Behind the slogans lay a grim reality: India’s pressure-cooker competitive exam culture has reached a breaking point, with National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data revealing over 13,000 annual student suicides—a devastating 70% surge over the last decade. In coaching hubs like Kota, where over 23 student suicides were recorded in a single year, systemic paper leaks and arbitrary evaluation schemes felt like the ultimate betrayal. Driven by desperation, unaligned students alongside decentralized youth groups like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)—a movement birthed satirically after a senior legal official disparagingly compared protesting youth to "cockroaches"—transformed Delhi’s central protest hub into an explosive epicenter of Gen Z resistance. The movement erupted into a national flashpoint in late June when activist Sonam Wangchuk joined CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at the site and launched an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with the students. Protesters bypassed traditional media altogether, using Instagram Reels, broadcast channels, and location tags to mobilize tens of thousands within hours.

At the absolute center of this new protest style was a vibrant, irreverent brand culture built on Gen Z meme mechanics and sharp satirical placards that turned Jantar Mantar into a viral online memefest. Banners across Sansad Marg displayed bold personal-meets-political humor, with viral signs reading "My ex and this government are both heartless," "When will democracy open a customer care," and "Ikea has better cabinets." Pop-culture crossovers thrived, from subverting the Mahabharata where Krishna tells a stressed minister to "Resign kar yaar tu pehle," to making cheeky references to Melody toffees ("Melodi Khao, Khud Jaan Jao"), parodying traditional protest tropes with banners like "Simon, Come Back," and crafting viral Instagram Reels that gamified police chases into real-life Subway Surfers. Crucially, posters reading "Nobody funds me, I hate this government for free" carried immense geopolitical significance: following successful youth-led Gen Z uprisings in neighboring nations like Nepal that triggered regime changes, political opponents and internet theorists began circulating claims that American agencies or covert foreign forces were funding the Jantar Mantar mobilization. By turning that specific conspiracy theory into a viral punchline, the students directly disarmed state narratives. This distinct meme language served as an extraordinarily powerful force for democratization: it stripped away dry policy jargon, translated complex institutional failure into punchy digital content, sustained student morale across weeks of oppressive heat and police surveillance, and forced the entire nation to pay attention. By replacing rigid political hierarchies with hyper-relatable internet culture and decentralized digital coordination, a leaderless student collective successfully outmaneuvered traditional state suppression, forced mainstream news networks to cover their demands daily, and proved that viral digital solidarity can translate directly into physical political pressure.

However, this heavy reliance on meme culture, brand mechanics, and internet antics proved to be a double-edged sword, drawing fierce public backlash for trivializing a critical human crisis. On the negative side, critics and grieving families fiercely attacked the jarring optics of the venue, pointing out the deeply insensitive sight of students laughing, shooting TikTok trends, eating delivery food, and posing for photo-ops directly alongside a solemn vigil held for aspirants who had committed suicide. This stark contrast—where a site dedicated to mourning young lives lost to systemic failure morphed into a carnival-like party ground—drew sharp condemnation for dishonoring the dead. The optics grew even more damaging as students partied, ate pizzas, and shot comedic reels while Sonam Wangchuk’s health severely deteriorated on a fast just a few feet away, ultimately requiring an emergency police removal to the hospital. Furthermore, the line between constructive satire and political harassment quickly dissolved as several placards and viral edits targeted top administrative figures with crude slurs, vulgar personal attacks, and aggressive character assassinations. These hostile displays led to widespread allegations of third-party political hijacking, alienating neutral observers who felt the serious fight for exam security was being drowned out by sensationalized digital spectacle.

Despite these controversies, the unprecedented fusion of physical sit-ins, meme campaigns, and high-visibility hunger strikes ultimately forced high-level political accountability. Following weeks of sustained agitation, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation, the central government enacted the landmark Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act with stringent penalties for paper-leak syndicates, and the Supreme Court ordered a comprehensive overhaul of the National Testing Agency.

 (Author's own opinion)