Call from Mount Kailash......

DURGA PUJA: INTRODUCTION

Parvati on her journey to father’s home, a yearly visit

Two fanatical photographers from Kolkata, Kanad Sanyal and Niladri Roy have captured some wonderful moments of the potters making the idol of Durga in Kumortuli. The photo-essay unravels the detailed procedures of shaping the idol, from a clod of clay to a protective mother.

Idol making in Kumortuli 

Kumortuli, literally meaning potters’ quarter (kumor- potter, tuli- quarter) is a traditional potters’ junction in North Kolkata situated at the bank of Hooghly River.  If anyone takes a walk along the narrow lanes of this area from the month of August, they can sense the gearing up of the Bengali’s greatest festival Durga puja.

   

Niladri’s lens has taken a quick shift towards the drawing of the eyes and lips of the goddesses, indicating an artistic potential of the potters of Kumortuli. The following collage unravels the final dressing up of the goddess and she is ready for her yearly visit to the father’s home at Kailash mountain.

                                 
                     

               

                    

Pandal Making

The photo-stories in the previous section have explicitly reflected the diligence of the potters in making the idols of Durga in parts and corners of Kumortuli area. This particular photo collage depicts the situation of other streets of Kolkata. Niladri again, has captured some instances of the pandal making through his lens where he shows how the city is getting prepared to welcome the biggest festival of Bengal. Apart from the pandals, the final ornamentation of the goddesses is still in progress.

Taking idols to Pandals

Ultimately, the long journey came to an end. Maa Durga with her children has reached her father’s house at Kailash. It is the time for the Bengalis to celebrate the homecoming of their mother with sheer joy and excitement. Niladri clicked two moments in the streets of Kolkata where the van driver and the labourers are taking the idols to various pandals.

Author’s Bio-Note:

Kanad Sanyal is an avid photographer based in West Bengal. He continuously tries to capture many stories of everyday life through his lens.                                  

Niladri Roy is a documentary film maker, film editor & graphics designer based in Kolkata. He has worked with renowned film maker; Mr. Goutam Ghosh in his various projects. Besides this profession, he has a passion in photography. Presently he is working on a photo story and documentary film, which is his dream project.

Series Editor: 

Nirmita Roychowdhury is a research scholar pursuing her M.Phil from Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics. Apart from her research on cultural geography, she is associated with various cultural activities.