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DURGA PUJA: PART 4

Pujor Lorai

A photographic journey unfolding Kolkata’s Baroyari pujas

After a photographic documentation of Kolkata’s traditional household pujas in the earlier post, here comes the style statement of the metro city. Kolkata is a mixed bag of traditional and theme based baroyari pujas (community pujas). As years are passing by, the city is heading towards more of theme pujo rather than the celebration in its traditional style. The idea of theme pujo is a deviant from the conventional fashion of pandal and sabeki protima (traditional style of Durga). The pandals are constructed based on a specific theme and the idols are made in accordance with the pandal. An off-beat celebration of Durga puja has emerged in Kolkata through the contemporization of the art forms.

Two young men of Kolkata have taken the initiative for a photographic venture to conquer the flavour of traditionality and contemporality of the occasion in parts and corners of the city of joy. Let me document the journey from South to North Kolkata.

       

Chetla Agrani club, South Kolkata

The theme of Jodhpur Park Sarbojonin Durgotsav is based on Eiffel tower of Paris. As the picture depicts, the main entrance of the pandal has been made replicating the Eiffel tower.

Illuminated Eiffel tower at the entrance gate

Jodhpur Park, South Kolkata

The following photograph depicts the huge illuminated jhaar (mass of lamps) inside the pandal. Jodhpur Park is one among the few community pujas of Kolkata; which use huge illuminated mass of lamps inside the pandal.

Illuminated Jhaar

Jodhpur Park, South Kolkata

66 Pally puja committee near Rashbehari Avenue, Kolkata has used paper boards to decorate their pandal.

Paper boards in use, Debi Durga with an artistic look

66 Pally, South Kolkata

Babubagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav has portrayed Debi Durga as a symbol of power. The blue light makes a mysterious ambience within the pandal.

The Haunted Blues

Babubagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav, South Kolkata

The collage showcases some other pujas of South Kolkata based on several themes. The backdrop of the collage portrays another kind of jhaar (a huge mass of illuminated lamps) at the ceiling of the pandal.

  

The unconventional touch: South Kolkata at its best

Now, take a look at the crowd and queues of people across the streets of Kolkata during the puja days.

   

The illuminated streetscape, South Kolkata

Here is the time to step upon the streets of North Kolkata. College square is a special mention here. The puja is famous for its luminous arrangement upon and around the college street lake. The pandal is constructed upon the lake and decorative lighting illuminates the whole area. The idol, the pandal and the jhaar on the ceiling, all project a traditional look.

      

Left: Pandal on college street lake

Right: Alo-r Jhaar (huge illuminated mass of lamps)

College Square, North Kolkata

The decorative luminosity

College Square, North Kolkata

Sreebhumi Sporting club is an example of typical sabeki baroyari puja (traditional community puja), both in terms of pandal and idol. Maa Durga and her family get decked up with original golden ornaments.

Sabeki protima, Sreebhumi Sporting club, North Kolkata

All that glitter, are not gold: The pandal

Sreebhumi Sporting club, North Kolkata

Bagbazar Sarbojonin Durgotsav in North Kolkata has gained repute for its unique style of ek-chalar daaker saaj. This specific style with white-coloured dress and the single backdrop of five idols is known as daaker saaj. The eyes of the idol portray Jamini Roy style as discussed in the earlier post.

        Daaker Saaj

Bagbazar Sarbojonin Durgotsav, North Kolkata

Here are some glimpses of theme pujas in North Kolkata. Kumortuli Sarbojonin projects Durga as Vishwamata (the mother of the world). Hatibagan Sarbojonin uses horns of ox in making the pandal as well as the idols.

Vishwamata: The protective mother of the world

Kumortuli Sarbojonin Durgotsav, North Kolkata

Use of ox-horn in pandal and idol making

Hatibagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav, North Kolkata

  

The flying goddess

Shikhdarbagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav, North Kolkata

Theme for Telengabagan and Rabindra Sarobar Sarbojonin Durgotsav is chariot. The pandals are made in the form of horse-driven chariot and the bodies of the idols resemble the shape of god Jagonnath. 

On the Wheels: Arrival of Maa Durga on chariot

Left: Telengabagan, North Kolkata

Right: Rabindra Sarobar Sarbojonin Durgotsav, South Kolkata

Authors' Bio-Note:

Joydip Datta is pursuing his Masters in Geography from Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi.

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