The pandemic and life under lockdown have transformed the way people think about themselves and their surroundings. This was reflected in the drawings and rangolis created for the third edition of the Mangaldeep Diya Utsav organised by the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) on Diwali eve.
At the sit and draw competition for children in age groups ranging from 5 to14 years, most were seen drawing online classes while showcasing their home, which was the topic for the younger lot. For the older ones, the topic was festive scenes of India.
The rangolis delivered messages of healing the world. While some focused on pollution, others urged for a ban on plastic use. One such was created by the team from CB Block. “We need to act to save the environment. Only then will the earth survive,” said Shrestha Singhania, a team member.
“We have seen devastations during the pandemic. But the festive season is a time when people want to come together and have a good time. We have taken all precautions for this event,” said NKDA chairman Debashis Sen.
Indeed, the children could not be happier than to be able to walk out of the confines of their apartment complexes or even homes in some cases. “It felt nice to see my friends again and together we had fun looking at each other’s drawings and playing with colours,” said Nisha Garg, a Class V student from Greenwood Nest.
NKDA chairman Debashis Sen inaugurates the festival. (Below) Folk band Dohar performs
After the rangoli contest, all participants and visitors came together to light lamps, numbering over 100.
Neha Shah, a resident of Uniworld City, said: “This year we want to light diyas not just because we pray for the victory of good over evil but also because we want the country to be disease-free and get back to normal life.”
This was followed by a Bharatnatyam dance number Kali Kauthuvam, presented by Mrinalini Biswas. Dancers from Art Atelier, a centre for performing arts in New Town, put up a dandiya performance which was greeted with cheers by the audience.
Garba dancers danced to the tunes of Chogada Tara, Dhol baje and other popular film songs. “Having a garba night during Navratri is the done thing. But doing it during Diwali makes it more special. I am from Ahmedabad and have been married into a New Town family. The garba performance reminded me how we would go to garba gatherings in our college days,” said Neeti Mohan from Shantiniketan Apartment.
The evening concluded with a performance by the folk band Dohar, which was lapped up by the audience. Not only did people sing along but some even got up to shake a leg while the band performed.
“It feels great to be back on stage and interact with a live audience. This seems like the good old days,” said Rajib, one of the band members. Apart from their usual hits, Dohar sang a new song dedicated to goddess Kali, Ekbar nacho ma.