Kolkata’s Durga Puja Pandals Have Manipur Violence, Tribute To Nude Models As Themes

Kolkata: Puja pandals in Kolkata have been known to be evocative of the times we are living in – be it a natural disaster, the pandemic, ethnic violence, social issues or political turmoil. They are not any different this time. From highlighting the lives of nude models to praying for peace in violence-hit Manipur, each Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is unique in itself.

Puja organisers have left no stone unturned to come up with some eye-catching themes to attract people, writes PTI.

In a rather bold and unusual move, the Jagat Mukherjee Park in KolaPuja Committee in north Kolkata is paying tribute to nude models through its theme this year. It is also honouring 65-year-old Phulkumari Das, who has been a live nude model for art college students for over four decades. The puja committee aims to honour her fraternity and is trying to spread awareness among people that nude models should not be looked down upon and nude modelling be treated as just another profession.

Known as ‘Phuldi’ in the artist community, Das has modelled for various stalwarts over the years. According to the organisers, she started modelling for artists at the Government College of Art and Craft from the age of 16.Later, she became an inspiration for many who decided to follow her path.Such models have an immense contribution in the making of an artist and Phuldi is one of them, pandal artist Parimal Pal said.

“As doctors need corpses to study the internal organs of human beings, these models help students learn about figures and portraits,” Pal told PTI adding that “many people might have seen her in paintings, but not her in real life. Society looks down upon them. They come from poor families. Our effort is to honour them and their work.”

Another puja committee in north Kolkata is paying tribute to Sukumar Ray, one of the icons of Bengali children’s literature, known for his famous ‘Abol Tabol’. The organisers of Hatibagan Nabinpally Durga Puja are commemorating the writer’s 100th death anniversary and the centenary year of the publication of ‘Abol Tabol’ as the theme. Houses in the entire neighbourhood have been painted to represent the  theme. Sukumar Ray is the father of film maestro Satyajit Ray.

Dipto Ghosh, spokesperson of Nabin Pally Durga Puja Committee said, “This is the centenary year of the publication of ‘Abol Tabol’ (a collection of nonsense rhymes in Bengali) and also the death centenary of its creator. The reason behind choosing this theme is to honour both the creation and the creator.” Ray had died just nine days before ‘Abol Tabol’ was published for the first time in 1923. While the book was published on September 19, the writer died on September 10.

In Salt Lake, a Durga Puja committee in Salt Lake has themed its pandal on Manipur violence, PTI reported. Disturbed by the ethnic strife in the northeastern state, the organisers of FC Block Sarbojanin Durga Puja have selected ‘Mother of Manipur’ as its theme. “We were moved by the ethnic violence that broke out in the state on May 3 this year, followed by incidents of atrocities on women. We decided to spread the message of peace through our theme,” Nilanjan Brahma, secretary of FC Block Sarbojanin Durga Puja told PTI.

“The pandal represents one community of Manipur, while the idol of Goddess Durga represents another. Both the communities have been represented in our puja pandal to spread the message of peace,” he said.

Tucked away in a lane opposite to Amherst Street Post Office in central Kolkata is Sitaram Ghosh Street where members of Pallir Yubak Brinda Puja Committee are organising their Durga Puja. Through their theme ‘Uttar Sakkhi’, the organisers will capture the charm and touch of north Kolkata as it existed over 200 years ago. Old buildings, several of which are dilapidated, stand witness to the bygone era when a major part of the mode of transport was ‘palkis’ (palanquins). This locality was once known as ‘palki para’ (palanquin neighbourhood) as palanquins carrying people used to stop at the locality for a break. Pallir Yubak Brinda Puja Committee’s artist Abhijit Nandy told PTI, “The story of old north Kolkata is being told through the marquee here. This particular locality off Amherst Street used to be known as ‘Palki Para’. We are trying to capture the nostalgia, love and emotions of old north Kolkata.”

Another puja committee in central Kolkata has chosen to highlight marine life. Mechua Bajar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samity’s theme is ‘Gobhirata’ (depth). The marquee is a replica of an old ship. One has to enter it to witness the depth of a seabed. According to artist Sanjay Pal, the underwater landscape is being showcased in the theme. “If you visit the pandal, you will have a feeling that you are standing several feet underwater in a sea,” he added.