The biggest festival of Kolkata begins next week. Sasthi is just 10 days away. Kumartuli’s artists are hustling to add finishing touches to the idols, while Puja committees get their pandals ready to welcome the goddess. Last-minute shopping and deliveries go on and plans for outings are more or less set. The festive fervour can be felt in the air. And the mood on Instagram is no different! To add to the excitement, content creators bring to you glimpses of preparations through trending reels. My Kolkata picks six viral reels that set the mood for Durga Puja as we count the days.
Mahalaya in three days
Set your alarm for 4am and check if your radio is working. Mahalaya is on October 2. In three days, most neighbourhoods will be filled with the legendary voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra chanting the Mahishashurmardini and songs welcoming the goddess. If pujo for you begins with Mahalaya, you will feel the emotion in this reel by @your_story_my_vision_. The video perfectly interprets Mahalaya during the break of dawn.
Chokkhudan — the art of painting eyes
When the Durga idol is made, the eyes are drawn last — on Mahalaya. This ritual is called ‘Chokkhudan’, meaning ‘offering eyes to the goddess’. The sculptors mostly add finishing touches to the eyes at the pandal. For the devotees, this is a significant ritual and it is believed that after the eyes are drawn, the idol becomes ready to be worshipped. Check out these aesthetic reels by @ayushh_clicks featuring the beautiful ritual at different spots.
Art of sculpting Durga's face
The process of making the Durga idol begins long in advance. According to some idol makers at Kumartuli, they start preparing as early as March. The idol takes shape step by step. The bamboo and hay structure is made first, then clay is used. Some parts, like the head, are made separately. The head is now made in a mould, as opposed to giving it shape from scratch. However, moulds might be convenient but still, the face has to be given its minute features by hand. This reel by @shutter_artisan shows sculptors drawing the features — seamlessly bringing life into the face of the goddess.
Making miniature ‘ekchala’ Durga idol
In the era of theme pujos, the traditional ‘ekchala’ idols are rare. Making his own ‘sabeki’ Durga idol, artist @manas_mahamaya_art has made his miniature Durga idol this year. Manas Mitra has posted a series of reels showing how his goddess took shape slowly. In every video, he shows a little of his work on the idol — right from building it from clay to making the goddess’s attire. The outcome is surreal! Check it out!
Kolkata canvas on the goddess’s sari
Kolkata truly turns into the City of Joy during Durga Puja. Even outside the state, when people talk about Kolkata, they never miss to ask about the grand celebrations. Painting the Kolkata-scape on the sari of a Durga idol, artist @its_me_sankha has represented the emotions of all Kolkatans. @shutter_artisan gives us a glimpse too.
Shiuli — a flower that represents Durga Puja
Gone are the days when the gardens of every household would be carpeted with shiuli flowers in the mornings during Durga Puja. The white-petaled flower, with orange stem blooms during this time of the year, and therefore often related to pujo. But, now, we seldom see it in the city. Bringing back the beauty of shiulis, @ru.pa0000 has painted an alpana that represents a bunch of shiuli flowers. If you are looking for interesting alpana designs, then save this reel.