Kumartuli foresees a grim future

As the festive season catches up and the city lights up for one more Durga Puja, there are some pandals, which have decided to seize the day to spread a word of wisdom.

As the festive season catches up and the city lights up for one more Durga Puja, there are some pandals, which have decided to seize the day to spread a word of wisdom.

Celebrating their 77th year, Kumartuli Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has decided to give a different look to their pandal.

The pandal, which usually sees a footfall of 4-5 lakh people per day, will be stressing on the importance of saving the environment.

8220;During the Pujas, huge crowds assemble together, so it is the best time to spread awareness. While our pandal will have models of human skeletons inside, the idols will have a completely different look,8221; said Debashish Bhattacharya, convenor of the committee.

The committee has drawn inspiration from a church in Portugal, which showcases human skeletons to reflect what the future of mankind might be unless environmental destruction is checked.

Last year, the committee had Hirok Rajar Desh8217;s Jantar Mantar concept as their theme through which they tried to educate people about class disparity.

8220;We have done research only after which we decided to do a replica of a church in Portugal, which has skeletons spelling doomsday. We will tell visitors about how water should not be wasted, trees should not be felled and pollution should be curbed. If these precautions are not taken, we will show what might happen to humans in the long run,8221; said secretary Bacchu Bhattacharya.

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The pandal that once had Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as the president of their committee, will have models of lanterns, poles, chandelliers made up of 3,500 skulls and bones created out of thermocol and fibreglass.

Taking a different line from the conventional concept of Durga, the committee has decided not to include mythological enemy, Ashur.

So instead of Durga defeating Ashur, she will be seen with folded hands. Instead of 10 hands each holding a weapon, all her hands will carry flowers while one will hold onto little Ganesha.

Kartik will hold onto his mother8217;s sari.

8220;With the recent blasts all over the country, we decided it was high time that people realised that there is no point in indulging in violence. That is why Durga will not be fighting Asur but pleading to mankind to promote peace,8221; said Debashish Bhattacharya. Durga8217;s children will be seen as much smaller than the usual age, reflecting innocence.