Dori Dhorey Maaro Taan / Dekhi Dugga Nonor Prize Ke Paan?

Ma ashchen…only a few more days to go! 10 more days before its Shoshthi! 

Kolkata is alive with the Puja fervor. Huge billboards glaring at you from every vantage location..pandals  yet to be completed..artisans and labourers working 24*7.

THE PANDAL AT LAKE TERRACE STILL IN THE MAKING

THE SERIES OF THEMES

Durga Puja has a unique feel in Kolkata. It’s extremely competitive. With the advent of various kinds of competitions and awards (the prize money is often in lakhs) Durga Puja is no longer a simple affair. It’s actually complicated; it involves a nexus of chaada (contribution/donation)collectors, ‘six-pack’ local heroes who are ready to create trouble if one refuses to pay, talented artists who have been brought from obscure villages, performers from various pockets of the adjoining districts, competitive themes, hosts of sponsors, glittering celebrities and a wide repertoire of fun-filled activities.

WONDERLAND IS THE THEME

THE KENDUA-GARIA THEME, 2012

These days Durga Puja (which was earlier considered an expensive affair) is organized by every known and little- known club in the locality. The competition begins as early as in June when every club announces its theme of the year and the name of the artisan in a huge hoarding in the locality. That’s the first sign that the Puja is here.

A tour around Kolkata at this time is interesting. Every locality boasts of around two-three Durga Pujo. Their hoardings are all unique and remarkable. I make it a point to stop at every point and click photographs. I doubt whether one can find hoardings of such quality in any other city. 

TRADITION V/S MODERNITY; THE CURRENT DEBATE

This post today is about some of those hoardings which I have captured in my cam. 

If you take a close look at the pictures I have put up you will find that every hoarding has 

- the name of the club

- the name of the artisan, and 

- the theme of the Puja for that year. 

The best part of it is that they all take immense pride in the name of the ARTISAN who’s the creator of this stupendous show. Renowned artists from various fields are the brain behind these exquisite pandals. There are men who have specialized in shola, terracotta, carpentry, leather, paper mache etc. They are all experts in their respective fields. It indeed is a tough competition of skills and art. I have found in the last couple of years that all these men have earned immense popularity and fame post the Durga Puja. The success of the theme has helped them find recognition and a strong foothold in the field of art and culture. Most of them are leading entrepreneurs today.

 

The THEMES are equally exciting. They are highly innovative. Last year there was a Puja based on steel utensils…yes…you read it right! We kept on guessing and debating with each other. And we passed a verdict that ‘it’s impossible’. But later when the show was unveiled, yes, they did pull it off very well. The whole Pandal and the idol were made out of steel utensils ranging from a ghoti, a baati to huge gaamlas and dekchis. They had the entire Bengali kitchen out there…unthinkable! But yes they did execute it and won innumerable prizes.

Another Pandal I remember was based on ‘clean green’ environment. There was the idol made out of eco-friendly materials. And a stark contrast to it was a Pandal made out of Beer bottles. Interesting!

HAND EMBROIDERY; THE THEME THIS YEAR

There was Kailashe Kelenkari; where they had recreated the entire Kailash scenario with Shiva, Parvati and those snow-capped hills. It was authentic and gigantic.

Cheen er Rohoshho; complete with caves and the Great Wall of China.

Forests of Africa; complete with the typical sounds of a forest, a huge bee hive and occasional roar of a tiger. It was quite an adventurous tour.

Another interesting feature is the way they write the theme. Nicely rhymed, they are short poems or what we call ‘CHHORA' in Bengali. Short and catchy they are attention-grabbers and one cannot help but keep them buzzing in their mind. Here are some examples. 

TO ADHERE OR NOT TO?

~‘Nodir Porey Ganga/Jombe Pujor Shondha’; the theme in Kendua, near Garia this year seems to be about rivers and boats. I can see when I pass by this area that they have already lined up huge boats, though the whole area is cordoned off.

~‘Mukto Batash Mukto  Praan…/Mora Srishtir Ullashey Gai Dashobhujar Gaan’; captures the spirit of the Bengali effectively. Isn’t that what we feel when we begin our countdown for the Durga Puja?

KAHANI ADDS CREDIBILITY?

~‘Puranton ke Dio Na Bidai Notunotter Mohey’; Makes us ponder how much have we preserved our age-old traditions and customs?

~'Mahamayar Moner Adharey/Shurashur Nidhon Mudrar Jaley’; I have been thinking about this particular theme. Is it about music and dance?

~'Shilpi Bhobotosh Shutarer Haater Kaajey/ Maa Ashben Pokkhiraaj e/Shobbhotar Rupok Shaajey/Dui Banglar Mel Bondhoney’; Advertises the artist and his area of specialization. As the name of the artisan implies, this one might have something to do with ‘shutor kaj’, ie. Hand embroidery.

~‘Ebareo Dekhte Hobe Noyto Pichiye Porte Hobe/Banglar Oitijho…/ Bangair Abesh/ Dugga Dugga.. .’ does not make it very clear but one can expect presentation of the rich Bengali heritage

PUPPETRY OF RAJASTHAN IN KOLKATA

~Another one at Bansdroni, Kolkata pays homage to the pioneer in Durga Puja ‘themes’ Shri Jayanto Mukhopadhyay. This is knowledge to me as I never knew who brought about this revolution in Durga Puja. They have also enlisted the popular Bangla Band Dohar for their Theme music. This one promises to be very innovative.

~‘Shekaler Shahebiyana/Na Ekaler Theme’; very contemporary and yes this debate is very close to my heart. Do we give up traditions for modernity?

Not to miss the name of the SPONSORS highlighted in bold on the hoarding. Sponsors range from a Pediasure, Indian Sweets, B.C. Das Jewellers. Sreeleathers, drug stores, caterers to even small scale factories.

The more I look at these themes, the greater pride I feel in this race called the Bengalis !!

JIO BANGALI JIO!