Kolkata: From the globe's most formidable seat of power White House to the grandeur of the Tirupati temple and commemorating 40 years of the Kolkata Metro Rail with underwater metro, the community Durga puja pandals in Kolkata are wooing revellers with myriad themes this year.
With the start of the Hindu festival of Durga Puja - the biggest annual event in the eastern part of the country - the festive mood has become all-pervading. Thousands of people from various parts of India, and towns and villages of West Bengal have started converging on the city to soak in the celebratory spirit.
Thousands of Durga puja marquees, many of them aesthetic wonders, have sprung up in the city and elsewhere in the state. Going pandal hopping with friends and family members, all decked up in bright attire, is perhaps the biggest attraction of the four-day festival.
Kolkata, where the Durga puja celebrations have received the UNESCO heritage tag, looks like a veritable heaven amidst scores of wonderstruck people - cutting across caste, creed and communal divides - pouring on to the streets and visiting the marquees.
Every year, community puja organisers showcase their creativity through unique themes done on pandals or Durga idols. 2024 is no exception.
The high-profile Sreebhumi Sporting Club, known for its pompous themes, has modelled its marquee on the “Tirupati Temple” one of Hinduism's holiest shrines and known for its oppulence.
Club president Sujit Bose – also the West Bengal Minister for Fire and Emergency Services – thought of the temple as everyone is not lucky enough to see it with their own eyes.
Secretary of the club D.K. Goswami said, “We wish to give the message of ultimate truth to the public which is Satyam Shivam Sundaram
The Youth Association of Central Kolkata's Mohammad Ali Park has designed its marquee inspired by the White House, the residence and workplace of the President of the United States.
Aside from the marquee, this year's idol, created by renowned artist Kush Bera, highlights the critical theme of water conservation.
Bhowanipur 75 Palli in South Kolkata is commemorating its Diamond Jubilee year with a grand celebration of Durga Puja, showcasing a vibrant theme titled "Tobuo Tomar Kache Aamar Hridoy" (Yet my heart is with you), drawn on the eternal creation of legendary Bengali poet Jibanananda Das.
The thematic celebration, crafted by renowned artist Shivshankar Das, features a pandal that embodies a rustic aesthetic, utilising eco-friendly materials such as iron and asbestos sheets.
Subir Das, Club Secretary said, “The theme beautifully captures the essence of our love for Kolkata, a city that has witnessed countless transformations yet remains a cherished part of our identity."
The Young Boys Club of Central Kolkata is drawing crowds with its theme Ek Tukdo Aakash," (A piece of the Sky) that sheds light on the pressing concerns surrounding urban development in Kolkata, particularly the rise of high-rise buildings that have transformed the city’s skyline and obscured its natural beauty.
While this development has provided housing for a growing population, it has also led to a noticeable loss of open spaces and natural light, leaving the blue sky increasingly hidden behind concrete structures.
Vikrant Singh, Youth President of Young Boys Club, said, “Our theme resonates deeply with the younger generation, who are increasingly aware of the changes in our environment, and goads all to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of Kolkata.”
The artistic vision for this year’s mandapa, crafted by artist Souvik Kali, immerses the visitors in an environment reminiscent of a dense cluster of urban flats.
Utilising bamboo, wood, and iron, the pandal reflects the overwhelming presence of urbanisation, while the incorporation of cement and brick illustrates the stark contrast between tradition and modernity.
Mudiali Club’s theme, Three Dimensions, focuses on the eternal connection between Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. The pandal showcases how their combined forces are responsible for creation, sustenance and destruction in the universe. The concept aims to demonstrate the harmonious balance maintained by these deities.
Dumdum Park Bharat Chokro’s theme, Udaan, is a tribute to the famous Jamdani weave, which originated in Bengal long before Partition. The entire pandal is crafted using Jamdani sari weaves, showcasing how this craft evolved and spread worldwide, starting from undivided Bengal.
Joint secretary of the club Pratik Choudhary said, “Udaan not only means Udaan by flight, the trade also happens by ship. In ancient years, people used to trade by ship, so it all started with there and Jamdani reached everywhere in the world.”
Kolkata underwater metro theme pandal is located at Jagat Mukherjee Park. Dwaipayan Roy, one of the chief organizers, shared that it was created to give visitors the experience of being inside a Green Line metro coach.
