What: adda52 Online Poker Presents The Telegraph Puja Premier League 2022, powered by Subhas Bose Institute of Hotel Management and Co-Powered by Baazar Kolkata
Where: Hatibagan Sarbojonin
The theme: In its 88th year, Hatibagan Sarbojonin’s theme celebrates Durga Puja making it to the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The pandal is designed in traditional Pingla patachitra style, in recognition of an ancient tradition of Bengal’s art and craft. Artisans and craftspersons of Midnapore have toiled for months to construct and decorate the pandal using bamboo, cloth, straw, clay and plaster-of-paris.
“We are delighted to present patachitra, a pride of Bengal’s art heritage, as our theme because Durga Puja, aside of its religious association, is a street art festival, and is a unique celebration not found anywhere else in the world. As in other years, we have tried to highlight a particular aspect of Bengal’s art forms in the design of our pandal and idol. We have depicted many types of patachitra, each narrating a different mythological story. The idol too has been created by artist Sanatan Dinda in authentic pata style. There will be live performance of pater gaan by professional pata singers and a theme music based on pater gaan will be played in the pandal to complete the experience of visitors. The patachitra theme will help our youth know about this very ancient art tradition while the elderly will love to revisit a nearly-forgotten style of art,” said Saswata Bose, general secretary of the Puja committee.
Swastika Dutta poses against the patachitra-panelled walls of Hatibagan Sarbojonin’s pandal
Rooting for the club is: Swastika Dutta. “Having grown up in central Kolkata, I would visit Hatibagan Sarbojonin with my family every year when I was a kid. I have fond memories of those years and feel happy to be sharing the stage with committee members. This year’s Pujas are all the more special because festivities are back after two years of restrictions due to Covid. I wish everyone here a very happy Pujas and request you all to enjoy yourselves responsibly,” said the Tolly actress.
Celebrity guest Swastika Dutta could not resist taking a selfie with the magnificent Durga idol, created in patachitra style by artist Sanatan Dinda
Festive fervour: Girls of the locality presented music and dance performances related to Maa Durga and her homecoming. One of the committee members recited a poem on woman power as a tribute to all women who conquer the demons of society that try to weigh them down. The senior and junior committee members of Hatibagan Sarbojonin participated in a lively and informative adda session with celebrity guest Swastika Dutta. Discussion ranged in topics from north Kolkatan’s passion for football, music and mishti to more serious topics like lessons learnt from Covid times and what makes this year’s celebration more meaningful. Swastika also spoke about her ongoing and upcoming works and shared how the significance of the Pujas has changed for her over the years.
A dance performance of Bhavani dayani, choreographed in classical style
A contemporary dance presentation of Dugga elo
Swastika surrounded by committee members of Hatibagan Sarbojonin, with whom she participated in a vibrant conversation filled with lively anecdotes, humour and nostalgia
A little girl entertained guests with a melodious performance of the popular Puja number by Antara Chowdhury for kids, Aay re chhute aay pujor gondho esechhe
A committee member of Hatibagan Sarbojonin read out a heart-wrenching verse about the daily battles of the living Durgas of our society
Dibyendu Chakraborty, centre in-charge and Sayan Chakraborty, assistant professor of Subhas Bose Institute of Hotel Management lauded the young participants for their music and dance performances.
“Hatibagan Sarbojonin is one of the biggest crowd-pullers in the city and we expect a footfall of five to six lakh visitors per day on all days of the Pujas. As in other years, we are happy to be a part of the Puja Premier League, which has already infused a lot of energy and enthusiasm amongst us,” said general secretary of the Puja committee, Saswata Bose.