Kolkata shakes off Dashami blues, gets ready for Red Road show

KOLKATA: A musical sequence depicting various dance forms of Bengal, men and women moving to the beats of dhak and a carnival-like backdrop — Ma Durga may have left for her heavenly abode for this year but curtains are yet to come down on the preparations of various puja committees.



Proud members of the 75 pujas in the city, who have won the Biswa Banga Sharad Samman from the state government, will strut down the iconic Red Road on Tuesday, sharing a slice of the festivities in a finale for those who may have missed out some of the prominent pujas. Some of the famous idols which will show up on Red Road are Ballygunge Cultural Association, Ekdalia Evergreen, Suruchi Sangha, Chetla Agrani and Behala Natun Dal.


“Close to 50 women and children who are part of our puja will dance to our theme song sung by Anupam Roy,” said Sandipan Banerjee, convenor of Behala Natun Dal.

Similarly, close to 80 members of Ballygunge Cultural Association will walk in unison — men in white dhoti kurta and women in white saris with red borders. “It will make for very attractive visuals. Our theme of thermocol work for the deity has been well accepted. It will be there on display too,” said Anjan Ukil, secretary of Ballygunge Cultural Association.

The guest list for the Tuesday extravaganza includes foreign delegates, bureaucrats, industrialists and ministers.

Several thousand people from across the state converge on Red Road to have a look at the best pujas of the year.

The display is accompanied by several musical and dance performances along with small skits.

“We will have to wrap up our performances within two to two-and-a-half minutes as nobody has been permitted to stand and perform. We will have to perform while on the move,” said Arijit Roy of Chetla Agrani.

Several traffic restrictions will come into effect in and around Red Road from Monday midnight onwards. Red Road and other roads leading to Red Road will be closed to vehicles. Traffic will be diverted through Strand Road, Auckland Row, Lenin Sarani and SN Banerjee Road.

Vehicles carrying idols have been provided space on Kidderpore Road to wait for their turn. Several daises are being constructed for chief minister Mamata Banerjee and other guests. Seating arrangements have been made for over 15,000 people. Those who cannot make it to Red Road owing to heavy rush will be able to watch the proceedings live on big screens on Rani Rashmoni Avenue, Governor East Place, Mayo Road and Park Street.

Elaborate police arrangements have also been made to prevent any untoward incident. Police have erected watch towers to keep vigil and quick response teams will be stationed at vantage points.

Mudiali Club will, however, not be participating in the carnival as the immersion has already taken place on Friday. “We have informed the authorities concerned in Nabanna,” said a spokesperson.