Archive · 17 Sep 2025
Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Evokes Palestine Through Bengal Famine
A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is using its art to connect the suffering of people in Palestine to the Bengal famine of 1943.
The theme, called 'Nabanna,' is about harvesting and survival.
It features a poem by Palestinian writer Naama Hassan, who is displaced due to war.
The pandal also uses poems from the Bengal famine.
The artist hopes to show how art can be a form of protest and remember those who suffer from war and hunger.
A Durga Puja pandal in South Kolkata connects Palestinian suffering to the 1943 Bengal famine.
The theme of the pandal is 'Nabanna', a celebration of harvesting.
The theme uses a poem by Palestinian writer Naama Hassan.
Poems from the Bengal famine are also included.
The aim is for art to be a weapon and witness against the effects of war, hunger, and politics.
- Who
- The Behala Friends puja committee
- What
- A Durga Puja pandal evokes Palestine through the lens of the 1943 Bengal famine
- When
- This year
- Where
- South Kolkata
- Why
- To highlight suffering, pain, and hunger in Palestine and connect it to the Bengal famine.
- Theme
- 'Nabanna', a celebration of harvesting
- Artist
- Pradip Das
- Featured Poet
- Naama Hassan
- Event Connection
- Links Palestine to the 1943 Bengal famine