1 week ago
Salt Lake Durga Pujas Begin Amid Themes and Dispute
Durga Puja committees in Salt Lake, Kolkata, have started preparing for the festival in October.
One block, AE (Part 1), had a disagreement between its old and new committees about who should organize the puja.
MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee helped persuade the old committee to let the new team take charge.
The new team said it still needed important documents from the old committee.
Other blocks are planning very different decorations and stories.
IB Block will show a temple from Himachal Pradesh with lights and sound.
EC Block will teach visitors about lesser-known parts of the Mahabharata.
Other pujas will celebrate forests, the Somnath temple, Bengal folk dolls, ancient Egypt and old forms of transport.
Many organizers also want residents to work together and keep the celebrations connected to their communities.
AE (Part 1) began preparations after a new committee performed a low-key khuti puja on August 15.
IB Block is moving away from last year’s Dubai-themed spectacle, while planning a Kangra temple replica and 3D light show.
EC Block will present an 18-chapter visual interpretation of the Mahabharata with a budget four times its usual level.
Several blocks announced themes including global forests, Somnath temple, gaala dolls, Egypt, forgotten transport and imaginary temples.
Committees across Salt Lake are emphasizing community participation, traditional worship, cultural education and large public displays.
- Who
- Durga Puja committees and residents of Salt Lake blocks, with MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee involved in the AE (Part 1) dispute.
- What
- Blocks announced their Durga Puja preparations, themes, budgets and community plans, while AE (Part 1) changed organizing committees.
- Where
- Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, including AE, IB, EC, AE (Part 2), BJ, AD, BK, Labony Estate, AJ, EE and AK blocks.
- When
- Preparations and khuti pujas were reported in August; most public celebrations are planned for October, with IB Block opening on October 14.
- Why
- The committees are preparing annual Durga Puja celebrations, attracting visitors, presenting cultural themes and encouraging residents to participate.
Community-led and traditional approach
Large-scale public spectacle
AE (Part 1) committee control
Community-led and traditional approach
The outgoing committee said it had organized the puja for 18 years and had remained in power until the annual general meeting.
Large-scale public spectacle
The new committee said residents had passed a no-confidence motion and that it had taken responsibility for organizing this year’s puja.
IB Block’s direction
Community-led and traditional approach
Residents and organizers said last year’s huge crowds and outside involvement made it difficult for block residents to meet, socialize and participate in rituals such as sindur khela.
Large-scale public spectacle
The committee still plans a grand puja, a Kangra temple replica, 3D lighting, a fair and a footfall target higher than last year’s.
Role of politics
Community-led and traditional approach
Some organizers, including the AD Block president, said they wanted their committee to remain apolitical; MLA and minister Sharadwat Mukherjee also said pujas should be apolitical.
Large-scale public spectacle
Sharadwat Mukherjee nevertheless intervened in the AE (Part 1) committee dispute and urged the outgoing team to give the new committee a chance.
Key facts
- AE (Part 1) change
- A new committee performed a low-key khuti puja on August 15 after an ongoing dispute with the previous committee.
- AE (Part 1) issue
- The new committee said it needed the previous committee’s records to apply for police, fire and electricity permissions.
- IB Block opening
- The puja is scheduled to open to the public on Chaturthi, October 14, with a residents’ celebration the previous day.
- EC Block budget
- EC Block said its budget would be four times its usual Rs 15–20 lakh range.
- AE (Part 2) budget
- AE (Part 2) said its budget would exceed Rs 30 lakh.
- Labony Estate idol
- Labony Estate planned a traditional idol measuring about 20 feet high and 28 feet wide.
- AJ Block fair
- AJ Block planned a pre-puja fair from September 25 to 27.
Quotes
Outgoing secretary of the block and puja committee
Unnamed outgoing secretary of the AE (Part 1) puja committee
“"We performed a small khuti puja on August 15 but without last year’s records we cannot apply for permission from the police, fire department and electric supply office to hold the puja in October."”
telegraphindia.com
“"We do not want trouble. We had put our blood, sweat and tears into making AE (Part 1) among the top pujas of the township but are accepting this decision now as Ma-er ichchha (the goddess’ wish)."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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