(Scenes from the Cal-On Halloween Party)
Recently, I got a special invitation to attend a Halloween-themed party at the Cal-On restaurant, on the 7th floor of Hyatt Centric hotel, located in Ballygunge, South Kolkata. Although Halloween is a foreign concept in India, lately it has grabbed the attention of the younger generation, mostly for its fun nature of celebration.
But, I admire the festival for one more reason that it is very close to one of our local Bengali celebrations called Bhoot Chaturdashi, which is celebrated one day ahead of Kalipuja/Diwali festival, which co-incidentally fell on same day as Halloween 2024. In both these festivals, the emphasis remains on ghosts and paranormal activities - while Halloween makes it fun with the cosplays and candy collection, Bhoot Chaturdashi is celebrated by offering prayers to our deceased ancestors to seek their blessings.
(Cal-On Restaurant illuminated for Halloween Party)
The restaurant was decorated with all the spooky props such as skeletons, bones, shredded skeletal arms, skulls, carved pumpkins, bloody posters, scary masks etc. The ambience complemented as DJ Alank played all the hit Bollywood and Hollywood chartbusters from horror-themed films such as Bhool Bhulaiya 3. The food and mocktails tasted awesome here!
(An uncanny glass of mocktail served with a broken jaw prop holding onto it)
Chaturdashi. It’s interesting to see how different cultures can find common ground in their celebrations.