Kolkata pandal to pay tribute to ‘babus’ who popularised Durga Puja in colonial era

The pandal of Chakraberia Sarbojanim Durga Puja in Kolkata on Friday (Express Photo/Subham Dutta)

The Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has chosen to portray “babu” culture in its pandal this year. An organiser from the committee said the pandal would pay tribute to the “babus” who had popularised Durga Puja in Kolkata during the 18th and 19th centuries. “Babus in colonial Kolkata used to organise Durga Puja with such grandeur that they influenced others to follow suit. These babus had popularised Durga Puja during British Raj and this year we have decided to bring that culture back in the city through related decorations in our pandal,” joint general secretary of the puja committee, Chandan Dutta, told The Indian Express.

The Rs 19-lakh pandal will contain items used by “babus” in the heydey of the British Raj, Dutta said, adding a palace reminiscent of a zamindari house has been built to house the Durga idol. The pandal also displays portraits of those living in the period.

The Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has chosen to portray “babu” culture in its pandal this year. (Express Photo/Subham Dutta)

“There are some places in Kolkata which were synonymous with babu culture. Bhawanipore was one of them. This year, it is more like a homecoming for them,” Dutta said.