Auto drivers' life struggles to save-the-mountains call, pujas showcase fresh ideas
From Chaltabagan Lohapatty to Beliaghata pandals, thought-provoking pujas flavour of the season
By
My Kolkata Web Desk |
Published 16.10.23, 07:34 PM
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The theme for this year’s Durga Puja pandal at Maniktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty is ‘Ajana Ke Jana’. The pandal showcases a unique atmosphere that celebrates the roots of Durga Puja while embracing the spirit of modern Kolkata. A huge bullock cart adorns the entrance to the pandal, while the main mandap with cart wheels and a myriad other props from rural life in Bengal. The look of the goddess is definitely a showstopper
Arnab Dutta
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The theme for the Durga Puja pandal at the Beliaghata 33 Pallibashi Brinda this year is ‘Sailo Guha’. The pandal has tried to showcase the damage and the abuse the mountains of our country are being forced to endure at the hands of human beings in the name of rapid urbanisation. The entire pandal has been given shape of a mountain screaming in pain. Intelligent lighting creates the atmosphere. The idol of the goddess, sitting under icicle-shaped cones inside a cave is exquisite
Ashim Paul
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The theme for Hazra Park Durgotsab in its 81st year is ‘Teen Chakar Golpo’ (Tale of 3 Wheels). This puja located at the Hazra crossing (inside Jatin Das Park) portrays how autorickshaw drivers juggle different roles as a parent, a spouse or a son, another important role - that of a chauffeur of an autorickshaw with three wheels. Joint secretary of the puja Sayan Deb Chatterjee said: ‘We never want to know about suto drivers’ daily struggles, their difficulties, their family life, their ambitions and dreams. The pandal will recreates the auto stand, surrounded by local buildings. Auto parts and 12 autos shape up the interiors. We have hung photos of auto drivers and will depict their stories on voice-overs’
Official Press Release
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The theme at the Durga Puja at Beleghata Gandhi Maath Friends Circle in its golden anniversary year is ‘Bangla Aamar Maa’ (Bengal is my Mother). Terracotta figurines, ‘patachitras’ and wall paintings adorn the interiors of the pandal. The theme aims to spread awareness about Bengal’s tradition of art and craft among the current generation. But the huge terracotta idol would be the showstopper, assured members of the puja committee
Ashim Paul
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The Durga Puja pandal at the Beleghata Sarkar Bazar Milan Sangha portrays rural school life in Bengal. The main pandal has come up in a compound dotted with village huts serving as school buildings with straw roofs. Schoolchildren can be seen sitting in the courtyard under the shade of trees learning alphabets and memorising their arithmetic tables. Some more dummies of kids are seen exercising
