The tradition of innovation continues at Durga Puja pandals

This year,pandals across the city have adopted innovative and,of course,colourful themes to mark the “annual visit of Goddess Durga to her maternal home”.

So,while a pandal in Safdarjung Enclave is based on the London Olympics,CR Park’s Block-B puja samiti has dedicated the theme to Swami Vivekananda on his 150th birth anniversary. The pandal depicts Vivekananda’s home in Belur Math and the Dakhineswar temple,where his guru Sri Ramakrishna achieved his spiritual vision.

The puja committees are also flaunting their links with political leaders. The GK-II samiti has a certificate from President Pranab Mukherjee declaring: “I have been a resident of Greater Kailash-II,and have fond memories of the celebrations there.”

The theme that GK-II is inspired by the save the girl child campaign and is called ‘Kumari Mahotsav’. The pandal is based on Gaur architecture of undivided Bengal between 1700 and 1900.

“This is our small effort to emancipate the otherwise revered girl child from inequality,hunger and social injustice. An effort we hope will go a long way to make a difference,” an official statement describing the theme said.

A young girl,riding a lion,with a trishul in one hand and a toy — the firki or a paper wind wheel — in the other,is at the centre of the pandal. A string of firkis,representing the innocence of a child and her vibrant potential,forms the base of the pandal. A round thatched roof,with a straight facade,in traditional grey shades has been used to recreate the traditional Bengali hut.

“While our theme is pulling a lot of people,Pranab da’s certificate that we have put up on the pillar near the reception,is also being lauded,” an organiser said.

The Matri Mandir puja in Safdarjung Enclave has a tall gate with statuettes of India’s medal winners. The inside of the pandal has replicas of the Wembley Stadium,London Bridge overhead and a take on the ‘twisted red tower’. The seating arrangement resembles the stadium’s galleries.

Most of the pandals in CR Park are in line with the traditional,rural celebrations of the puja. The Navapalli Puja Samiti in Pocket-40 is showcasing the rural thakur dallan — a courtyard outside homes. The Block-B pandal has used traditional Tripura art forms.

The Milani puja pandal in Mayur Vihar,known for its artful themes,has chosen to dedicate its celebrations to artist Jamini Roy on his 125th birth anniversary.

“This time,we do not have the traditional concept of the idol of Durga. The Goddess is also a painting in his characteristic rustic styles,” an organiser said. The artist’s home and replicas of his paintings on earthen pots form the walls of the pandal.

Delhi’s oldest puja pandal — the Kashmere Gate puja in Civil Lines,which was started in 1910 — is promoting traditional Bengali art forms. They have Dhak players displaying the finer aspects of their music,like how the tone of the Dhak must be different on each day of the puja.