KOLKATA: Most Durga Puja organizers are set to register a record deficit in their books this year following a substantial dip in revenue from advertisement and sponsorship. This will impact next year’s Durga Puja even if the threat of the novel coronavirus blows away and the economy is back on the recovery path. Durga Puja organizers say at least a quarter of them who do theme Pujas will certainly opt out next year due to the financial condition and the situation may get even more grave if the pandemic persists. Then, less than a dozen organizers will consider roping in artists to do themes.
Partho Ghosh, secretary of Sib Mandir Durga Puja and founder of the Forum for Durgotsav, says even if the pandemic is controlled, the financial crisis that most Puja committees will find themselves in will take at least two years of corporate funding to overcome.
“Usually, puja committees carry over a budget deficit on to the next year. This gets adjusted with the next year’s income from subscription, sponsorships, advertisements, partnerships and stall rentals. This year, puja committees have reduced the budget by 50%-70%. But even that is difficult to meet as subscription and sponsorships have both been hit by the lockdown. Many organizers will opt for simple pandals to cut down on investment,” said Ghosh.
At Kumartuli Sarbojanin Durgotsav in north Kolkata, the organizers could manage sponsorship for only four gates instead of 14 last year. Also, against nearly 5,000ft of hoardings that they were able to attract along either side of the road in 2019, they have been able to get advertisements that cover only 900ft. “Despite slashing our budget by 70%, we will end up with a record deficit. So will all puja committees,” said puja committee secretary Debashis Bhattacharjee.
Samaj Sebi, a popular puja off Southern Avenue, has already said it will be unable to finance theme pujas for at least two years to make good the losses incurred this year. “One usually has to make an advance to the theme artist after this year’s Durga Puja for the assignment next year. Given the deficit that we are battling, we cannot afford that,” said organizing committee secretary Arijit Maitra.
If the virus continues to be around, many organizers will switch to ghot puja, says Saswata Bose, secretary of Hatibagan Sarbojanin and joint secretary of the Forum for Durgotsav. Even if the situation improves, he is certain that many won’t repeat this year’s mistake that deprived pandal-hoppers from catching a glimpse of the idol at many pujas. “Pandals will be designed differently so that the idol can be viewed from a distance and there is adequate open space in front for rituals like anjali and sindoor khela,” he said.