Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
Like every year, Durga Puja pandals across Calcutta are offering a mix of themes this year that highlight everything from spirituality and social reform to international collaborations and environmental awareness. Whether it's a tribute to reformers or a traditional temple replica, each pandal has something exciting in store.
Tala Durga Puja: Celebration of the formless
Tala Prottoy’s theme this year, Bihil - the Void, brings forth the idea that divinity is formless and omnipresent. The pandal seeks to convey that god exists everywhere, without taking any specific shape or form.
“The message that we want to give via this theme is that our Devi, Devata are formless. Our god is present everywhere and they do not have any particular form,” said Shantanu Ghosh, secretary of Tala Prottoy.
This theme, decided last year, has been designed to reflect this message. The decor and installations aim to immerse visitors in the philosophy of a formless deity. The pandal will be ready for public viewing on October 5.
Kashi Bose Lane: Honouring social reformers
Kashi Bose Lane’s 2024 Durga Puja theme, Rotno Garbha, is a tribute to Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, two pioneers of social reform in India. The pandal will highlight their contributions to movements against practices like Sati, child marriage, and in favour of widow remarriage. The club wishes to remind visitors of the significant societal changes initiated by these reformers, and how their efforts paved the way for women’s rights in India.
“We believe because of the birth of these stalwarts, women in India were later able to reach new heights and ranks” Pradipta Nan, club member, told The Telegraph Online.
This tribute to the stalwarts of Bengal will open on Tritiya.
Mudiali Club: Ode to the Holy Trinity
Mudiali Club’s theme, Three Dimensions, focuses on the eternal connection between Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. The pandal will showcase how their combined forces are responsible for creation, sustenance and destruction in the universe. The concept aims to demonstrate the harmonious balance maintained by these deities.
“Brahma, Vishu, Maheswar eder teen jon chara toh kono kaj hoyna (No work happens without these three gods) and it is via the joining of these three gods everything exists; we plan to showcase this via this year’s Puja,” Manoj Shaw, club secretary, told The Telegraph Online.
Visitors can experience this thematic representation from Tritiya.
Behala Notun Dal: India-Ireland collaboration
Behala Notun Dal’s theme this year is Kalpana (Imagination) and features a collaboration between India and Ireland. The pandal will depict a fusion of the Irish god Danav and Maa Durga, symbolising an imaginative union of cultures. This collaboration, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, includes participation from Irish artistes. The theme highlights how cultural exchanges can bring creativity to new heights.
“We were approached by the authorities for a collaboration to which we agreed. This has never happened before that a country collaborates with a club. Three of their members have also come here and are working on the Puja. They will stay here till the Durga Puja period,” Sandipan Banerjee, club convener, told The Telegraph Online.
Visitors can look forward to a fusion of artistic expressions.
“We have not yet decided on our opening date but we will open it for the public either on 4 or 5 October” said Banerjee.
Mohammad Ali Park: The White House
MD Ali Park is bringing a piece of America to Kolkata this Durga Puja with their White House-themed pandal. The theme aims to showcase the architectural beauty of the White House while educating the public about the significance of this iconic building. Due to space constraints, the pandal will be set up on the side of the park. This year’s idol has been created by artiste Kush Bera. The pandal will also highlight the theme of water conservation.
“This year the Puja is not happening inside the park but on one side. Our lighting experts will come from Konnagar and they are working on it. We are running short of space this year,” said Sanjeev Sharma, club member of MD Ali Park.
The pandal will open on Chaturthi, inviting everyone to experience a slice of American culture amidst the traditional celebrations.
Dumdum Park Bharat Chokro: The Story of Jamdani
Dumdum Park Bharat Chokro’s theme, Udaan, is a tribute to the famous Jamdani weave, which originated in Bengal long before Partition. The pandal aims to resurrect the lost significance of Jamdani weaves, incorporating handmade lighting and creative designs throughout. The entire pandal is crafted using Jamdani sari weaves, showcasing how this craft evolved and spread worldwide, starting from undivided Bengal.
“Udaan not only means Udaan by flight, the trade also happens by ship. In ancient years, people used to trade by ship, so it all started with there and Jamdani reached everywhere in the world” Pratik Choudhary, joint secretary of the club, told The Telegraph Online.
Visitors can walk past this artistic journey when the pandal opens on Tritiya, connecting them with Bengal's cultural roots.
Sreebhumi: Tirupati Temple
Sreebhumi’s famous Durga Puja pandal is modelled after the Tirupati Temple this year. The pandal will embody the grandeur and spiritual essence of Tirupati, emphasising the message of ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ – truth, beauty, and divinity.
“The theme was chosen as a part of the process via all committee members and we wish to give the message of ultimate truth to the public which is Satyam Shivam Sundaram,” D.K. Goswami, secretary of the club, told The Telegraph Online.
“The pandal opening date is not decided yet” added Goswami.
Ahiritola Jubak Brinda: Alpana gets new life
Ahiritola Jubak Brinda’s 2024 theme, Kalpito Kalpanaya Aakar e Mahayatra, focuses on the traditional Bengali art of Alpana. The entire pandal will be decorated with intricate Alpana designs, symbolising different time periods and emotions. This year, the club has gone a step further by transforming Alpana patterns into iron structures, blending tradition with modernity. The pandal aims to revive the significance of Alpana, making it a central focus of their Puja.
The diffused lighting will complement the theme, immersing visitors in a journey through Bengal’s cultural artistry.
“Our murti [idol] this year is prepared by Nobo Pal. We chose this theme as we wish to bring back the lost significance of Alpana to Bengal. We are opening our pandal on 6 October,” said Dulal Seal, president of the club.
Barisha Club: From Forest to Civilization
Barisha Club’s theme, Basati (Habitation), will narrate the transformation of primitive forests into human settlements, focusing on the early challenges faced by nomadic people as they began building shelters. The theme will showcase the gradual shift from villages to cities and how the natural world was shaped by human civilisation. The pandal will blend elements of nature and ancient architecture, giving visitors a sense of how society has evolved.
“The final date of pandal opening is not decided yet, the CM’s visit and date will be the date it is opening for the general public. However, it can be said that it will be opened by Tritiya,” Partha Ganguly, club member, told The Telegraph Online.
FD Block Salt Lake: From Origin to End of Ganga River
FD Block’s Durga Puja theme, Origin to End of Ganga River, will trace the Ganga’s journey through major religious and cultural sites while also raising awareness about the pollution affecting this sacred river. The lighting and decor will depict the river’s journey, urging visitors to reflect on their responsibility toward the Ganga.
“Ganga is a pure river of India. The river has a lot of history attached to it and it is being polluted,” Banibrata Banerjee, club president, told The Telegraph Online. “The river flows through numerous religious sights like Banaras, Kolkata’s Dakshineswar, Kalighat. We want to give the message of not polluting the river.”
The pandal will be open from Tritiya.
