NIN365 Desk, Kolkata : Purnima Chatterjee, the enchantress of Sonagachi, still graces her doorstep during the full moon. Yet, a shadow of weariness clouds her eyes, a testament to the impact of age on every profession. In a world where the allure of youth diminishes, and earnings dwindle proportionally, Purnima reflects on a time when her body’s demands were fervent. As she shares her story with ‘Al-Jazeera’ in an open-hearted interview, her eyes flicker with a poignant fire, a vivid testimony to the trials and transformations she’s undergone in the city of joy.
At the age of 55, life has traversed numerous years in his chosen profession. In a Kolkata alley, where the genteel society prefers not to tread, he stands as the eldest luminary. He is the street’s actor. His skin still glistens, untouched by the wrinkles of time. Twice a day, the fragrance of turmeric and rosewater adorns his face. The skin must stay radiant; otherwise, the customers won’t come! Purnima, adorned with the full moon of Sonagachi, still sits by the doorstep, her eyes now reflecting a hint of weariness. Whatever happens, the factor of age looms large in every profession, and in matters pertaining to the body, it reigns supreme.
Purnima, at 55, remains an enigma, a patriarch born into a large family. He was the eldest among siblings, burdened by his father’s expectations. Hence, Baba brought him to Kolkata, with dreams of making him wander through the city. Life’s first encounter with reality happened for Purnima here. He initiated his career. In his words, the body survived. Even now, he says it with unbridled enthusiasm.
Purnima reminisces, “Baba brought me here, holding my hand. I still remember that day. Being the eldest daughter, he made me understand that I had a lot of responsibilities. I thought God had chosen me for this work. I had to carry the family’s burden. I believed that and worked with dedication.”
Dreams of marrying like any other of the five daughters lingered in Purnima’s eyes when he first sat in Sonagachi. However, he traded his body, and his mind could never escape that fate. Purnima says, “I could have been someone’s daughter-in-law, but I considered that everyone’s fate isn’t the same. God has blessed me with this life. I have made my five brothers and sisters grow up, become human beings. I have seen Baba and Ma.” Yet, now, there is no more of that youth. Consequently, the customers turn away to other houses. The imprint of those thoughts is evident on Purnima’s face. He says, “Today, I am at an age where no one is by my side. My income is decreasing. What will happen to me in a few more years, I don’t know!”
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