Past the idol – The Hindu

Durga Puja Pandal of FD Block, Salt Lake Metropolis, Kolkata
| Photograph Credit score: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Metropolis of Pleasure bursts into many desirable and galvanizing pandals in all of the nooks and corners yearly throughout pujo. From highlighting social points reminiscent of little one trafficking to beautiful replicas of world landmarks, these pandals are the true reflection of Kolkata’s soul — a celebration of life.

Misplaced innocence

Pandals in Kolkata have advanced right into a platform for social commentary because the themes have ranged from psychological well being to ladies’s empowerment. Kolkata’s Kashi Bose Lane was probably the most visited pandals within the 12 months 2023 for its particular theme on lady trafficking. The doorway to the pandal narrated tales in each nook – from doorways to topped images of ladies & women. The color of the pandal was crimson symbolising hazard. A number of posters and newspaper headlines have been additionally caught across the pandal to showcase the crime towards women. The whole pandal was dimly lit to characterize darkness within the lives of misplaced innocence. The intricate particulars, the highly effective message and the background music have been all geared toward elevating consciousness of how vital it’s to guard and help women and take motion towards unfairness. By utilising the festive house to emphasize important social points, these pandals turn into catalysts for change.

Kashi Bose Lane’s Durga Puja Pandal
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association

Fading glory

In the previous few years, there was an enormous deal with environmental points that impressed pandals throughout the town to spotlight the significance of consciousness and conservation.  One in all South Kolkata’s Durga puja pandal’s themes featured a dying banyan tree that highlighted the significance of bushes and nature in our lives. The banyan tree is a logo of knowledge and energy and the illustration by the artist showcased how air pollution and deforestation are harming the planet. This thematic pandal aimed to encourage us to save lots of the planet and recognize the fantastic thing about bushes round us.

The dying banyan tree pandal
| Photograph Credit score:
SUSHANTA PATRONOBISH/The Hindu

Lives in transit

The Authorities of India introduced the ‘Nationwide Register of Residents’ within the 12 months 2019 to determine the legitimacy of residents however many individuals have been left off this record they usually feared they may be seen as unlawful immigrants. This precipitated panic throughout the nation and led to protests and discussions about who belongs within the nation and what it means to be a authorized citizen. A group Durga puja pandal themed on the situation of refugees given the panic over the Nationwide Register of Residents (NRC), in Kolkata.

Shuttlecocks and badminton rackets in entrance of the marquee convey the impression that “refugees are nothing however shuttlecocks lobbed to one another’s aspect by two international locations”.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI

Tribal tapestry

Hindustan Park Sabojanin in Kolkata made a Durga puja pandal out of rubber to have a good time the tribal communities. Tribal sculptures have been bursting with life and colors. The utilization of rubber is a message about recycling and utilising stuff in creatively and intelligent methods.

The tribal theme pandal at Hindustan Park Sabojanin
| Photograph Credit score:
DEEPAK KR/The Hindu

Iconic landmarks

Sreebhumi Sporting Membership, Kolkata is famend for showcasing dazzling creativity yearly on Durga Puja with its excellent replicas of world landmarks as pandals. Individuals be a part of lengthy queues simply to take a glimpse of the mesmerising and intricately designed pandals. From Burj Khalifa to Vatican Metropolis to the Taj Mahal, the membership has served some iconic and unforgettable pandals. It’s a celebration of the majestic & stunning world landmarks and likewise imparts a message of unity and variety. Sreebhumi is likely one of the must-visit pandals for everybody to expertise the creativity and artwork in the easiest way throughout Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Kolkata, West Bengal, A Durga Puja pandal at Sreebhumi Sporting Membership within the north japanese components of the town. The Pandal made as a duplicate of Vatican Metropolis.
| Photograph Credit score:
DEBASISH BHADURI/The Hindu

Nostalgia at greatest

At Chetla Agrani, in Kolkata, one of many Durga puja pandals stood out with a nostalgic and artistic theme centered on letterboxes. The outdated, wood and classic letterboxes took individuals again to the nice outdated time of letter writing. Together with this, the pandal additionally showcased a hand-pulled rickshaw which is likely one of the distinctive options of Kolkata. This distinctive pandal showcased how time is ever-changing and have become one of many most-visited locations throughout pandal hopping.

A Durga Puja pandal themed on letter-box in the course of the ongoing Durga Puja competition, at Chetla Agrani, in Kolkata.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI