Author:

Chandan Singha
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of History
University of North Bengal
Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

Email: rs_chandan@nbu.ac.in

Abstract:::This writing explores the Chor Puja and Chor-Chunni songs as practiced by the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North Bengal in the Twentieth Century. This work is done mainly based on primary sources. Chor Puja is a unique worship done by the Surjapuri Rajbanshis for the past 200 years. This puja is observed in a genealogical order. On the day of Kali puja, the Surjapuri Rajbanshis practiced the Hoka-Huki ritual and before going to the Hoka-Huki practice they made two facemasks one for Chor and another for Chunni and put vermilion on the facemask. Both of the facemasks look like Chor and Chunni characters. On the same day, Chor-Chunni songs were performed by the villagers. They decorate one boy as Chor and another as Chunni, singing songs with wageling Dhol and Khartal. In this way, the Chor Puja and Chor-Chunni songs are performed by the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North Bengal.

Key Words:: Chor Puja, Genealogical , Hoka-Huki ,Surjapuri Rajbanshis,Song etc.