True, if the worship of the Mother Goddess Durga has witnessed any metamorphosis since the Pujas were made Baroari (a term that has itsorigin in Barah Yaari) or a public affair — many hundred years ago — then it has been through the emergence of Themes.
Themes largely depicting Durga Puja in reference to the contemporary period have come to stay in Kolkata though the traditional Durga Pujas too have been pulling crowds in large numbers this year round.
In a year when UNESCO has inscribed the Durga Puja on its intangible heritage list the Puja organisers seem to have been using Themes more extravagantly than ever before.
Welcome to Kabiraj Bagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee in North Kolkata where they have recreated the replica of KK in action at Nazrul Manch where he performed the final show of his life. KK is indeed The Theme of the marquees here.
“Gurudas college for which KK sir had come to perform is here in ourward … so we thought that it would be best to remember the great artiste right under the feet of Durga Maa … this is to tell him that we love him and will continue to do so till we meet him up there in the heavens,” said a Puja organiser. Here they have recreated the replica of Nazrul Manch with KK performing live in front of a large crowd before succumbing to a massive heart attack hours later. The singer’s cut-outs make the KK show come alive once again. “Tell the detractors of Kolkata that we know how to honour our greats,” said oneof the organisers.
Cut to Kashi Bose Lane where a woman artiste Aditi Chakrabarty has created the theme of the marquees. The melodic motif here has beentermed Maati or the earth. Said Somen Dutta, general secretary of the committee, “Mother Earth is embedded in our existence and it is where we go back to after death. It also signifies creation as trees andplants grow on earth.”
Down South at Tridhara Sanmilani the organisers have made a superb artistic depiction of Daur (Run) as their theme through chains, amultitude of ladders, cycle handles, car steering and statuette toshow how the mankind right from womb to grave are engaged in the mighty Run to achieve their respective goals be it mundane, be it divine. In the process they are all rendered puppets in the hands of Mahakaal or the Great Time.
“Like puppets are devoid of self conceit … those involved in the Run are expected to dissolve their egotism … this is why the Asura(demon), Mahisha (buffalo) or the Lion here have been depicted in a humble mood with no anger or pride … they are all under the feet of the Mother residing in peace,” says Gauranga Quilla the artiste.
The exquisitely designed marquees and the sparkling presence of theMother seem to have driven people mad this year. And with the pandal hoppers ready to compensate for the two-year loss that they suffered “Corona Asura” invaded the earth the Kolkata streets are witnessing overwhelming rush: 24x7 . “It could well be beyond 45-50lakh people on the road anytime,” said a senior police officer.
Cut back to North again where Sreebhumi Sporting Club patroned by State Minister Sujit Bose have constructed a Vatican City in a matterof a month. Completely identical to the original one that would make even the Pope thinking of changing his residence. “We sent a team of our workers to Rome from where they imported the idea in minutest ofdetails,” says the Minister. Sreebhumi like all other years have beendrawing lakhs of visitors.
At Haridevpur Adarsha Samiti in South Kolkata the organisers have recreated the 5,500-year-old Indus Valley civilization with the GreatBath, paved brick roads and the Granary — all with sand. “But herewe have tried to go beyond the ruins of the civilization … we have recreated the era in its full bloom … and the people are liking it,” says Rangajit Roy and organiser.