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West Bengal Plans Mega Durga Puja Show at Eden Gardens
The West Bengal government wants to hold a very large cultural show at Eden Gardens on Mahalaya.
Mahalaya marks the start of the period leading up to Durga Puja for many Bengalis.
The show could include music, dancing, drums, lights and folk performances.
Thousands of artists may take part.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi might attend, but this has not been confirmed.
The government still needs to settle plans with the Cricket Association of Bengal and address security and ground-protection concerns.
Officials hope the event will attract tourists and help people whose jobs depend on the festival.
The programme is also being viewed as a way to highlight Bengal’s culture and respond to political criticism about religious celebrations.
The West Bengal government is planning a mega cultural programme at Eden Gardens on October 10, Mahalaya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend, although the event has not received final approval.
The programme may include music, dance, lighting, dhak performances, Dhunuchi dance, Chhau and other folk traditions.
Officials are considering a mass performance involving thousands of artists and dhakis from across Bengal.
The event is intended to promote Durga Puja, cultural tourism and festival-linked economic activity before the celebrations begin.
- Who
- The Government of West Bengal is organising the proposed programme; Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend, and artists and dhakis from across Bengal may participate.
- What
- A mega cultural programme combining music, dance, lighting and folk traditions associated with Durga Puja.
- Where
- Eden Gardens in Kolkata, subject to coordination with the Cricket Association of Bengal.
- When
- October 10, on Mahalaya; the year is not specified in the articles.
- Why
- To showcase Bengal’s Durga Puja traditions, promote cultural tourism and support festival-linked economic activity; observers also see a political dimension.
Cultural and Economic Benefits
Practical and Political Concerns
Purpose of the programme
Cultural and Economic Benefits
Government sources say the event would present Bengal’s Durga Puja diversity and cultural traditions to a wider audience before the festival.
Practical and Political Concerns
Political observers view the event partly as an attempt to counter the BJP’s earlier allegations that Durga Puja and other Hindu religious programmes faced obstacles in Bengal.
Large-scale staging
Cultural and Economic Benefits
Officials are considering a performance on a scale comparable with Assam’s mass Bihu programme, potentially involving thousands of performers.
Practical and Political Concerns
The proposal faces unresolved issues involving the cricket calendar, ground protection, stadium coordination and security, and there is no official announcement of a Guinness World Record attempt.
Tourism and livelihoods
Cultural and Economic Benefits
The government expects publicity before Durga Puja to attract visitors and support workers and businesses dependent on the festival season.
Practical and Political Concerns
The event’s benefits remain prospective because the detailed programme and final approval have not yet been settled.
Key facts
- Proposed date
- October 10, on Mahalaya
- Proposed venue
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Possible attendee
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Planned elements
- Music, dance, lighting, dhak performances, Dhunuchi dance, Chhau and other folk-art forms
- Scale under consideration
- A mass performance involving thousands of artists and dhakis
- Approval status
- Preparations and tender invitations have begun, but final approval is pending
- Economic focus
- The programme could benefit hospitality, transport, aviation, food, retail and tourism sectors
Quotes
Senior government source
A senior West Bengal government official discussing the proposed Mahalaya programme
“Mahalaya marks the end of Pitri Paksha and the beginning of Devipaksha. It has a deep cultural significance for Bengalis. We want to use that sentiment to present the diversity of Bengal’s Durga Puja and cultural traditions before a wider audience.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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