Durga Puja is incomplete without innovative pandals centred around themes. As we celebrate the vibrant festival and pay homage to goddess Durga and her victory over Mahishasura, let us look at some of the innovative themes that are being explored by puja organisers in terms of the stage and structural decorations of pandals this year.
Menstrual hygiene
The Pathuriaghata Pancher Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsab in Kolkata has chosen the theme ‘Ritumati’ (the issue of menstrual hygiene) to debunk prejudices and create social awareness. Ellora Saha, the working president of the puja committee, was quoted as saying by media reports, “We sought to drive home the message that menstruation is a biological process of every young woman and they should not be made to feel shy, embarrassed, awkward to discuss it.” Through various images, the puja committee drives home the lessons of personal health and hygiene for girls as well as educating boys to handle this issue with an open mind, she said. The puja committee took three months and Rs 18 lakh to make the pandal, she added.
Autorickshaw drivers
At the Hazra Park Sarbojonin Durgotsav, one of the oldest pujas in Kolkata, the hand-to-mouth survival tales of autorickshaw drivers have been narrated using replicas of the green and yellow three-wheelers adorning the marquee. To give it a real feel, real-life auto drivers will interact with pandal hoppers during the puja days. Sayandeb Chatterjee, spokesperson of the puja committee, told PTI, “From the familiar role of auto drivers competing against each other to net passengers and haggling for exact fares, we present their humane side, working 24×7 to feed their families while juggling roles as a parent, a spouse or a son. Though their daily earnings are meagre, they try to keep their families happy and put in all that they can for the good education of their kids.” Auto driver Sambhu Sana, who was chosen to be felicitated at the pandal, said, “We negotiate through the city streets and its alleys defying severe weather conditions. We ferry passengers from dawn till midnight. Many of us will be present at the pandal in the evening hours this time to interact with pandal hoppers.”
Women abuse
At the Kashi Bose Lane puja pandal in Kolkata, the image of a caged woman behind the Durga idol and the sculpture of a young girl before the deity tries to generate awareness on abuse of women in society. As one enters the pandal, there are models of girls with chains tied to their feet, juxtaposed with models of girls holding books. “We have tried to portray that despite hundreds of Durgas in our households being ill-treated, violated and abused, yet they aspire to defy all odds to realise their dreams,” puja committee general secretary Somen Dutta was quoted as saying by media reports.
Child labour
The Banerjee Para Pujo Committee at Shyamnagar in the northern fringes of Kolkata has chosen the theme ‘Haturi Noy Hate Khari, Sishu Shram Bandho Kori’ (No use of hammers by children, let us give them chalks and dusters) through models and posters. A puja committee spokesperson told PTI, “Through models and images, we have highlighted that children should not be used in places like tea stalls and factories where they are misfits. We urge visitors to protest whenever they see a child worker in an eatery or at someone’s house working as a help.”
Football legends
If Durga Puja is being celebrated in Kolkata, can football legends be left far behind? Making his maiden visit to the ‘City of Joy’, Brazil’s World Cup footballer Ronaldinho recently met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to give her a jersey. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner also inaugurated the puja at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club, where a 75-ft statue of Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi has been constructed as part of the pandal.
Ram Mandir
Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee is known for organising one of Kolkata’s grandest and most visually stunning puja pandals annually. This year, the committee has themed its pandal located in north Kolkata around Ram Mandir, drawing inspiration from the under-construction temple in Ayodhya. As per reports, the organising committee has set up an environment similar to Ayodhya by placing life-sized statues and using 3D lights to show Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. Inaugurating the pandal on October 16, Union home minister Amit Shah said he had come to seek the blessings of Maa Durga who always fought to protect the truth. Shah also said that he would pray to Maa Durga to give the strength to end “corruption, injustice and atrocities” in West Bengal.
