Bhai Phonta – a rendezvous of brothers and sisters

Our members Ms T. Banerjee and Ms S. Brahmachari have enjoyed celebrating bhai phonta throughout their life and still do so. Starting from the traditional way of celebrating this occasion to the customised ways – every moment has been special.
As a family of two brothers and three sisters, we have cherished the tradition of celebrating 𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘪 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢 since our childhood. Our family home is located in Beleghata, Narkoldanga, Phoolbagan. Over the years, this celebration grew even more special as our extended family, cousins, and relatives joined in. As we reached adulthood, one by one, family members began getting married, and this celebration became even more enjoyable. As we got older, some of our relatives moved away for professional reasons, causing the number of participants to gradually decline. However, as long as our family of two brothers and three sisters remained, along with our parents, the celebration continued to be a source of joy.
Our tradition was to arrive at our parents’ home a day before 𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘪 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢 and return on the day after, creating lasting memories and strengthening our family bonds. My elder sisters would prepare a list and provide money to my elder brother for the necessary purchases. He would then go out the next day and ensure that everything was obtained according to my sisters’ wishes. For a few years, we sisters took on the cooking responsibilities, but eventually, we decided to hire a cook, to manage the cooking so that we could spend more quality time together. We would spend the day conversing, catching up, and sharing laughter. Sometimes, we would lend a hand to the cook with small tasks like vegetable chopping or meal preparation. Those memories are still young in my mind and will always remain so.
𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙨 𝙏. 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙟𝙚𝙚
We are four sisters, three brothers. During our younger years, the celebration of𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘪 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢 was an occasion filled with joy and laughter, especially when our relatives would join in the festivities. However, when I got married and moved to Delhi, I found myself missing this cherished tradition dearly. Determined to keep the spirit alive, I made it a point to introduce my own children to this wonderful celebration. Heeding my mother-in-law’s advice, I used to apply 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢 on the walls of our puja room on that special day.
Upon returning to Kolkata, our 𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘪 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢 celebration took on a new and heartwarming dimension. Instead of confining the festivities to a single day, we decided to celebrate it at each sister’s house, creating an opportunity for a gathering of all four sisters, with our dear brothers making a visit. These gatherings became cherished reunions. My younger brother missed the tradition immensely, as he had relocated to Delhi by then. The bond we share during these times is truly special, and the joy we experience during these extended celebrations is beyond measure. These traditions, whether near or far, has helped us stay connected as a loving and close-knit family.
𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙨 𝙎. 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞