Durga Puja, Sharodotsav, or Bangalir abeg! Call it by any name, the largest global creative and art festival acquired a global status when Unesco on December 15, 2021, recognised it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the completion of a year of this declaration, Kolkata’s Forum For Durgotsab organised Swikritir Utsob at Town Hall on December 15, 2022. The event saw the presence of over hundreds of members from several clubs and committees along with individuals who were felicitated for their immense contribution towards elevating the festival to this grand level.
The entrance to Swikritir Utsob at Town Hall
Speaking to My Kolkata, Pratik Chowdhury, executive committee member, Forum For Durgotsab, said, “We are celebrating one-year of the recognition of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the recognition which has been accorded by Unesco to Durga Puja. It is of immense pride for all puja lovers across the world because Durga Puja is the biggest carnival in terms of its creativity. This is a milestone because after much hard work, the Puja Forum, with the help of the government, has established Durga Puja to receive this recognition. We will be felicitating people who have contributed to the Puja since the ’60s and ’70s.’’
Contributions by artists that took Durga Puja celebrations to a new level
The event felicitated several individuals and organisations who helped in the elevation of the festival over the years through innovative idol creation, lighting techniques, effective media coverage, literary emancipation as well as recognising the hard work of pandal creators. Some of those who were felicitated included Bandan Raha who made the maatir bhaanr pandal at Bosepukur Sitala Mandir in 2001; late Romesh Pal who rendered artistic touch to the idols at Park Circus, Ekdalia Evergreen, College Square, Santosh Mitra Square, Kidderpore ; Sridhar Das, whose lighting techniques crossed boundaries and reached the Thames in London; late Ananta Malakar, whose shola artworks received critical fame; Late Subrata Mukherjee, politician and spirit of Ekdalia Evergreen puja; ABP Private Limited for the introduction of pujobarshiki; and Asian Paints for introducing the coveted Sarad Samman prize which was received by Ayush Bharadwaj, manager, retail and sales east; to name a few.
A banner at the event displays Sridhar Das' lighting
My Kolkata also caught up with some of the puja committees to know more about their journey over the years and their unique styles.
Grey Street Satadal, north Calcutta
Swapan Sikdar, club secretary, narrated on how this pandal completed 50 years in 2022. “Our pandal is in between Sovabazar Metro Station and Hatibagan. It completed 50 years this year. Things have changed a lot. Earlier, there was no such publicity like these days. Now, people get to know about the pandals from so many platforms following which they throng the sites. Our USP for the last five decades has been sabekiana. This year, we received good footfall. We have already started deciding for next year. We will keep the sabekiana intact but may introduce new lights and get involved in social work etc.’’
Barisha Player’s Corner, Behala
Dada’s puja completed 50 years in 2022. Cultural Secretary Juin Ganguly said, “Co-incidentally, this year is 50 years for both Dada and our puja. The puja was initiated by his (Sourav Ganguly’s) father Chandidas Ganguly and everyone from the neighbourhood had joined to carry forward the legacy for all these decades. Last two to three years, the responsibility has shifted to the next generation women, girls and daughters-in-law of the area. Apart from the five-day Puja, there are a number of activities to the run-up of the grand festival. Planning begins from the beginning of the year. For 2023, we have already started preparations like talking to the artists, discussing themes, deciding on the cultural programmes etc.’’
An image of a Durga idol at the event
Olabibitala Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samitee, Howrah
‘’This is our 75th year. When our Puja started in 1948, some youngsters of the area had assembled. Today, they are aged and we have lost some too. They used to contribute with household objects for the Puja. Since then, for the last 25 to 30 years, we have elevated this puja to a different level in Howrah. But we have the adi daker saaj idol no matter whatever the theme is. This year, our theme was Shishu Bikasher Tore, Shoishob Phiro Ghore Ghore,’’ said member Akhilbondhu Bhattacharya.
Salkia Alapani, Howrah
Salkia Alapani Durga Puja is also celebrating its 75th year. Club member Sanchayan Chakraborty said, “The club’s journey began from the morning India attained Independence. Over the years and crossing major hurdles, today we are known by one and all in Howrah. This year, a record 1.5 lakh people visited our pandal in Howrah. We have already started preparations for 2023. Our theme has been decided. We just need to put up the pandal structure. In Howrah, we were the first theme Puja. Generations have come and gone and they have successfully passed on the mantle. It is like a parampara."
