Rikrivu Banerjee is known to help people embrace and celebrate the beauty of their bodies with his photography. The man behind the Instagram account, @nuancedart, has almost 15,000 followers appreciating his bold photography and is changing the narrative behind nudity. For this Kolkata photographer, Durga Puja is about simple joys like ghugni, adda and more. Continuing a series on people’s stories of Pujo, My Kolkata caught up with Banerjee to talk about his special Durga Puja memories and moments.
My Kolkata: How do you plan to celebrate this year?
Rikrivu Banerjee: I usually like a quiet Durga Puja — spending time with loved ones, eating good food, and catching up with friends who are back in town after a while.
Which pandals are you most excited to visit?
I have never missed Naktala Udayan Sangha, because it’s my parar pujo. Other than that, every Ashtami evening, I just have to visit Maddox Square.
Adda at Maddox Square Soumyajit Dey
What’s your favourite thing about Durga Puja?
Being able to see everyone in an upbeat mood. Those few days are so packed with happiness, that it makes you forget about all your other worries. In simpler terms, it’s about having something nice to munch on, and someone nice to share it with. What else does one need?
As a photographer, which corners of the city do you love capturing during this time?
I feel the most picturesque part of the town could be any pandal or street because the whole city decks up like a newlywed bride. You can find frames worth capturing wherever you want. One of my favourite shots was at a very small pandal in Hazra where the “shondhe arati” was going on.
My favourite activity during Pujo is to capture emotions evolving over the course of the festival. It starts with anticipation, turns into fun, and ends with hope that Ma Durga will be back next year to take away our worries and sorrows.
Banerjee enjoys telling stories around the festival with his photos Courtesy Rikrivu Banerjee
Do you have a specific Pujo outfit?
I go with my mood. The only thing mandatory is panjabi and jeans on Ashtami. People might consider dressing up with your partner and going to Maddox a cliche, but my girlfriend, Gayatri, and I love it!
Do you have any favourite Pujo traditions?
Yes! My friends and I usually stay together for a night, where we have amazing food and drinks, and dance to the best of Bollywood. Apart from that, it is our family tradition to enjoy biryani from Aminia for Saptami dinner. Gayatri and I also try to visit DFC, a popular shop in our para. Run by our beloved Dipu da, his mutton ghugni and fish fry bring people all the way from Salt Lake to Netaji Nagar, and we cherish it every evening during the Pujas.
Food seems to be intrinsically linked to your celebration. What’s your favourite dish during this time?
Nothing beats mutton kosha and polao for Nabami lunch. But then, the Nawabi daal that my mother cooks is my forever favourite.
Capturing emotions evolving over the course of the festival is one of Rikrivu’s favourite ways to document the festival Courtesy Rikrivu Banerjee
What is your fondest memory of the festival?
My fondest memory has to be waking up to the dhaak’er awaj every morning. It’s literally the best alarm clock, right? It is so intrinsically tied to Durga Puja that you wake up with a smile, every time.
One quality of Durga that you’d like to imbibe?
This is a tricky one. I’d like to have the power to spread happiness through my art. Just like everyone forgets their worries and enjoys proximity with Ma, I’d like people to forget their worries and just enjoy my art!