The Serampore Girls High School came up with the theme ‘Abol Tabol Eer Sotobhorshe Sukumar Sorone’ (remembering Abol tabol on completion of 100 years and the author Sukumar Roy) for the celebration of Saraswati Puja. The headmistress of the Serampore Girls high school Dr Ivy Sarkar said students must be introduced to the great gems of Bengal, including the giants in the fields of art, literature, culture, music, social reformers and freedom fighters.
This year, through the celebration of Saraswati Puja, the students have been made aware of one of the gems of Bengali literature, Abol Tabol. Abol Tabol, which has delighted readers for generations, completed 100 years on 2 October 2023. Abol Tabol is a collection of Bengali children’s poem and rhymes composed by Sukumar Roy. It consists of 46 titled and seven untitled short rhymes (quatrains) all considered to be in the gene of nonsense literature. Many poems in Abol Tabolcontain skilfully hidden satire on the state of society and administration of the early 20th centure.
The students put up an exhibition of drawing, and paintings showcasing the characters of Abol Tabol ~ Katha Buro, Head Officer Burrobabuu, Kumro Potash, Gangaram, Chandidaser Khurue and many more. To make the Saraswati Puja eco-friendly the students have not used plastic, thermocol or any other nonbiodegradable materials and objects. The students have also reached out to the deprived children of the society with sweets, books, stationery and clothes, making the celebration of Saraswati Puja an even more meaningful event for the students.