Introducing Pandals, the temporary
bamboo structures shaped with clothes to house the idols. These are themed with
the dominant trends among the youngsters (I am expecting to see a Captain
Marvel as Durga and Thanos as Mahisasur this Puja), or a known travel
destination, so as to attract the viewers. The pandal construction starts a
month prior to the D-Days. You would find the pandal workers securing the
bamboos in position, connecting them together in the mid-air. Not only does the
renowned one forms up, the lesser known ones starts assembling too. Every nooks
of the locales buzz with the tireless fabrication. Come Mahalaya, the
commencement of the Devi-Paksha, and the last- minute touches to everything
begins.
Besides the gorgeous outer theme, the
inside (shola) motifs and art-work, on the side walls as well as the ceiling is
worth every penny. The chandeliers on the domed ceiling surrounded with
artworks is no less than the original temple architecture of renowned
destinations. One would be awe-struck at the marvel of the craftsmanship, at
the finesse of the ace architecture standing there. Although fleeting and
transitory, it is indeed the outcome of just a month long period. All this groundwork is a joint endeavor of all artisans- be it the pandal makers or the decorators or the lightning artists lighting up the interiors and the exteriors. Besides the shola motifs, the daaker saaj is another exemplification of the Shola-pith decoration that involves immense expertise of the artists.
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| Daaker Saaj |
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| The Jute works in the ceiling |
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| The clay works on the side walls of a Pandal |
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| The inside artforms |
The lighting on the other hand is a
yearlong ex-situ preparation and is one of the various magnets of the Puja. How
delicately the tiny light bulbs are mounted into frames resulting into montage
of various real-life images. At some places there is a street long display of
the light images, even there are moving displays showcasing various subjects.
Be sure not be bored even in the crowded queues owing to these lightshows.
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| Lightning at Ekdalia (last year) |
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| The lighting sheds over the streets |
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| Another example of lighting |
Last year Durga Puja witnessed the longest
alpona/rangoli on the streets of South Kolkata, another art to be greatly
appreciated. A night-long effort by the students of the art college resulted
into a vivid collage of colourful designs and the most anticipated must-visit
of last year.
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| The longest alpona |
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| More of the longest alpona |
The Dhaakis dancing with the rhythmic and unique sound of the Dhaak, will fill one from within, indeed the Puja fever serves it all.
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