BE (East)
While almost every block celebrates khuti puja these days, it was unheard of when Sumita Majumdar was growing up. “But there’s such hype and excitement around it now that I wanted to attend one and see what it’s like,” said the elderly resident of BE Block with a smile.
So on a Sunday morning, she wrapped up her chores quickly and headed to the plot where the block’s Durga puja pandal comes up. She wasn’t disappointed.
Several neighbours had gathered around the sacred pole that was decorated with flowers. The priest sat reciting mantras and the loudspeaker amplified it for all to hear.
The banner behind announced the theme “pichwai” and artiste Sourav Das elaborated on it. “This is an ancient art form of Rajasthan. ‘Pich’ means ‘behind’ and ‘wai’ means ‘hanging’. This art depicted Krishna leela on cloth, using natural colours and it would be hung up on walls for all to see and learn about Krishna,” he said.
Art forms like madhubani and warli are well-known but pichwai needs initiation. “I hope this pandal manages to show people how beautiful it is,” said Das.
Joint secretary Aniruddha Ghosh said they selected the theme to uphold traditional art before it disappeared into oblivion. “Besides, visitors are attracted by colourful and creative themes,” he said.
Another joint secretary Arindam Bhattacharya added that when it came to the idol, residents seemed to prefer tradition over experimentation. “Whenever we’ve tried artistic idols, they said the element of devotion was missing. So this time we are going for a sabeki sculpture by Narayan Chandra Pal,” Bhattacharya said.
EC Block
The khuti all decked up in EC Block
Tagore’s Bir Purush will be revisited at EC Block’s puja this year.
At the block’s khuti puja, secretary Sarbari Dutta and president Avijit Roy shared that they had chosen this theme to attract children and familiarise them with a literary classic. Councilor Tulsi Sinha Roy was also present.
Theme makers Amit-Arindam said that a jungle would be created out of bamboo installations to represent the backdrop of the poem. “The boy’s mother would be shown coming in a wooden chariot and all human figures would be shown through terracotta models,” said Arindam Roy. “Salt Lake residents like a touch of tradition the Sanatan Pal idol will be sabeki with some terracotta influences.”
Last year, EC Block’s pandal was on a raised platform and senior citizens found it taxing to climb up the ramp. So this year they are returning to flat ground, said puja convenor Sanjay Banik.
Being located in between big-ticket pujas like FD Block and Labony Estate and with City Centre across the street, the EC Block puja attracts ample footfall. “All the more now that the Metro is bringing in crowds from Sealdah. Our puja would be opening from Chaturthi to allow maximum pandal-hoppers to visit,” said ritual convenor Mouli Nath Maji.
“Women of the block also look forward to gathering a couple of days before the Puja and preparing nadu together,” said Maji. “Residents contribute coconuts — I myself shall be sending six or seven. Some women cook the mixture, some give the nadus shape and others bottle them up and label them. The nadus last till Kali puja.”
DL Block
This October, councilor Kakali Saha would be invited to inaugurate several pujas but her smile would be the widest at DL Block. “Not only is this my own block but I have also been an active member of the puja committee here for years. I have stood in the field barefoot and supervised work,” said Saha, who this year attended the block’s khuti puja as a special guest, along with minister and MLA Sujit Bose.
Women of DL Block all decked up for khuti puja
“Previously, I would fold my hands and welcome chief guests to the puja inauguration but this year I shall be sharing the stage with them. I treasure my roots and even if I’m no longer on the puja committee, I’m always here for residents of the block,” she said.
Incidentally, the puja secretary this year is Saha’s husband Krishna Prasad Saha. He promised a captivating pandal for visitors but stressed that their focus is on rituals. “The most important aspects of Durga puja are rituals, idol and devotion. Theme, cultural programmes and food come after that,” he said.
Artiste Amalendu Das will be working on the theme — tribal life. “I’ve been associated with this puja for 12 years and am sure visitors will appreciate our effort this time. There will be figures and installations of tribal life such as masks, weapons and livestock like cows and buffalos,” Das said.
DL Block’s residents’ committee is an all-woman show and general secretary Archita Deb said everyone was looking forward not just to the five days of festivities but for Dwitiya. “On Dwitiya, it is our block’s tradition for women to gather at the community hall and prepare ananda nadu,” Deb smiled.
“Nearly 30 women work from 3 to 8pm and make the sweet out of some 45 coconuts. It’s a huge platter that is served to everyone throughout the Pujas. The day is fun-filled for all involved,” Deb said, adding that rehearsals for dances, plays and fashion show are in full swing too.
Silver Oak Estate
In case your children think food was always delivered to their doorstep by Swiggy, the puja at Silver Oak Estate will set the record straight.
The complex behind City Centre 2 will be showcasing the evolution of the food delivery system. “A larger-than-life model of a man would be kept at the entrance, with a jhaak on his head. Children today have no idea how food used to be delivered by jhaaks once upon a time,” said Sanjay Das, a resident, who has been supervising the pandal.
Residents of Silver Oak, New Town at their khuti puja
The theme, as well as artiste Surajit Sen Majumdar, was announced at their khuti puja. There will be artwork inside the pandal depicting the stages of food delivery back in the day — it will show workers lifting the jhaak on their heads, walking to homes and handing the contents over. Modern delivery apps will also be represented, without mentioning companies.
The ekchala idol will be by Pradip Rudra Pal and the attire and jewellery of the deities will compliment that of the bamboo and cane interiors of the pandal. Residents have also been asked to paint images of old Calcutta that will be put up. They will also come together to paint alpana on the road a day or two after Mahalaya.
“Our complex has been performing puja since 2016 but we took the plunge into a theme last year. Response was terrific and we now have standards to live up to,” said president Amit Mukhopadhyay. “However, since we are a gated community outsiders won’t be allowed in during the festival. We have about 2,000 residents and this crowd itself is a handful to manage.”
AA Block
AA will be doing for a theme puja for the first time since the pandemic. “The mood is buoyant and the economy has revived. Most importantly, residents have been asking for a theme puja to be proud of. They want a good footfall at their pandal,” says secretary Partha Chakrabarty.
Their khuti puja itself drew nearly 100 residents, led by block president Arunava Majumdar.
This will be the block’s 46th puja and the pandal will be shaped like a temple. “Rural Bengal will be showcased and the pandal decorated with hand fans, kulos, wicker baskets and the like. These items will be used to create some deities too,” said Sandip Paul of GD Market’s Trinayani Decorators, who is in charge of the puja’s look. The idol will be adorned in golden daker saaj and sculpted by Amit Pal.
AA Block residents on khuti puja day
Minister and MLA Sujit Bose, mayor Krishna Chakraborty and councilors Ratna Bhaumik and Tulsi Sinha Roy had come to attend the ritual. “Our residents usually participate in our cultural programmes but we shall request Sujitda to help arrange some guest artistes for us. That would be the icing on the cake,” said Chakrabarty.
CG Block
The USP at CG Block this year will be — not the theme but — the idol. “Ever since our community hall got built our idol has been placed inside it. Naturally, the size would have to be restricted,” said puja secretary Goutam Deb, at their khuti puja.
But this time the puja is shifting out into the Green Verge outside and the idol will be nearly 12ft tall, inclusive of the embellishments. “Residents have longed for the idol to be grand, befitting our biggest festival, and we are happy to be bringing home such an idol this time,” he said. The sculptor is Khokon Paul.
CG Block’s puja will turn 40 next year and organisers say they would weave it around a theme. “But this time, we are going for a simple traditional puja,” added committee member Sankar Prosad Deb.
Residents are excited at the return of in-person cultural programmes. “In the pandemic years, people would be performing at home and we would stream the footage live on a big screen outside the community hall. That will not be needed any more but we shall continue to upload content on Facebook and YouTube for the sake of former residents who have moved out,” said Prosad Deb.
This year many actors in the block, who have not been able to participate for 10 to 15 years, are squeezing time out of their work schedules and making a comeback on stage. “Neighbours are waiting to watch these plays from close quarters,” said Prosad Deb.
BG Block
In its 39th edition of puja, BG Block will be presenting the theme “Brahma pushpa”. “Brahma pushpa is a flower that grows near Mansarovar and is believed to be Shiva’s favourite. Through this theme, we offer prayers for a better environment and peace for all,” said secretary of the block, Chandramouli Guin, at their khuti puja.
“The theme symbolises power and unity,” added president Subir Bose. “Given BG Block’s strategic location next to Baishakhi Island, it attracts a significant footfall every year. This time our puja has much to offer. The theme maker will be Sutanu Maiti and sculptor Amal Pal of Kumartuli.”
The khuti puja itself was quite colourful what with the women decked up in white-and-red sari. There was a cultural programme with several groups having come from different locations. A jhumur dance team had come from Santiniketan and a group of women dhakis from Maslandapur.
“Our group comprises nearly 50 women. A team will even be visiting Dubai this year for the Pujas,” said Dipu Das of Aadi Shivshakti Dhaki Sampraday. “This initiative was started by my father, Sujit Das, who believed that since women excelled in various fields, why not let them play the dhak too?”
Shweta Bandapadhyay, a resident who has been involved with the puja since its inception, reflected on its transition from a homely puja to a big one. “The puja is now a collective initiative by every member of the block,” she said.
This year, the block is getting a theme song and theme outfit. “Paul’s Creation, a boutique in our block, has designed an elegant and affordable outfit for men and women,” said Guin. The red kurti for women and kurta for men has Ma written in a stylised way in front and a Durga face at the back. The outfit will be worn by residents during the Pujas.
Present at the occasion were actresses Oindrilla Sen, better known as Dushtu of the Zee Bangla serial Saat Paake Bandha, and Mallika Banerjee of the ongoing Star Jalsha serial Shaheber Chithi. Mallika also sang Jao jao giri for the audience.
Also at the puja were minister and MLA Sujit Bose, mayor Krishna Chakraborty and deputy mayor Anita Mondal. “There should have been a prize for khuti puja as well,” smiled Bose.
Esha Barman
AH Block
The 40th year AH Block puja will showcase the eco-friendly jute in its theme “pot ebar paatey”.
“The entire pandal will be decorated with jute,” said puja committe secretary, Kaushik Sarkar, at their khuti puja. “The theme is by Goutam Giri and the idol is being sculpted at our own community hall by Sunayan Pal of Kumartuli. Our puja budget is about 20 lakh and we’re getting to set to inaugurate the puja on Panchami.”
The khuti puja was attended by local councilor and deputy mayor Anita Mondal, who is also a resident of AH Block. “This year the puja is all the more special as it’s our 40th year,” said Mondal. “It’s good to see this puja celebrated not just by the committee members but by all residents.” She cautioned the audience about dengue and asked them to take care of their health so they could enjoy the festival.
“On our 40th year, this time we shall felicitate 40 senior residents of the block aged 75 and above,” said president Shyamal Dutta. He also recalled the beginnings of their puja in the 1980s. “In the first year, the block had only 16 or 17 families and so a combined puja would be performed by AH, BH, AJ and BJ blocks. The budget was just about Rs 27,000 and we ourselves would buy everything from the market for our community lunch.”
Bharati Kanjilal
CD Block
“Khuti puja is a perfect prelude to the October festival,” said Sujit Bose, minister and MLA, to a large gathering at CD Park that had gathered for khuti puja. “The ritual is fast capturing people’s fancy.”
Sharmistha Ghosh, president of Central Durgotsab Committee CD Block, thanked Bose for his work towards fostering social harmony and development of the area. “As for our puja, it will be a celebration of our culture and values,” she said.
Councillor Tulsi Sinha Roy was also present. “Durga is a symbol of strength and resilience exhibited by women. She is a statement that women are to be seen not just as caregivers and healers, but also as empowered humans and achievers,” said Sinha Roy.
The theme this year will be “Durgar Sansar,” and will highlight the goddess as a symbol of justice, a unifier, and a conqueror of evil and struggles.
“CD Block residents are part of one family and this festival is an occasion to meet and mingle,” said secretary Arunabha De. “The khuti puja helps create a buzz ahead of the festival.” He added that the participation of young residents, especially those aged around 20 years, was significantly encouraging this year. But, working adults still weren’t that prominent.
“We want everyone in the block to be involved in the festival. That’s our primary goal,” said Arunabha Hazra, joint secretary of the committee. “This is our 47th year of puja and residents are gradually gearing up for a grand celebration in our 50th year.”
Rittika Rakshit