From demonetisation to Bahubali, female foeticide, and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), an eclectic range of themes are on display in this year’s Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.
Organisers of a comparatively less known Durga Puja, Mitra Sanghati, in the Beliaghata area of eastern Kolkata have picked demonetisation as the theme. The dimly-lit pandal, constructed in the shape of an old house with a ‘money-tree’ in the middle, has nearly 30,000 replicas of the demonetised ₹500 and ₹1000 notes hanging from the tree’s branches. Demonetisation’s impact on the common man is presented through six statues of people from various walks of life, who are shown entangled in vines garnished with old notes. “After demonetisation, people were rendered penniless despite having money,” said Prasenjit Haldar, the artist who designed the pandal.
On the northern fringes of the city, Sree Bhumi Sporting Club has erected a 100-ft pandal resembling the imposing palace of the ancient kingdom of Mahismati as depicted in the Bahubaali movies. “We picked it as our theme to attract visitors,” said D.K. Goswmi, general secretary of Sree Bhumi Sporting Club.
The evil of female foeticide is the theme of the Durga Puja organised by the Ichapur Shivaji Sangha in the Dumurjola area of Howrah district.
In southern Kolkata, IVF and test tube babies are the theme of a Durga Puja called Purbalok Sarbojonin. “Our aim is to create awareness and clear misconceptions about IVF,” said Kuntal Chowdhury, the spokesperson of the puja committee.