Journalism of Courage
Durga Puja may have been over but celebrations in the city of joy have not ceased yet. The mega bonanza for the Bengalis is still continuing in Kolkata and on Friday a carnival was organised to showcase the award-winning idols of the year.
Before immersion in the Hooghly River, as many as 39 pujas that won the Bengal governmnet's 'Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman' award, was displayed on in tableau format on trucks and trolleys. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opened the carnival for the common public who with much enthusiasm continued their ‘pandal-hopping’ session. The opulent road show called 'Pujor pore thakur dekha' (viewing idols after the Puja) kicked off at the Red Road in Kolkata, the venue for the Republic Day Parade as well. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
Around 10,000 visitors and 2,000 VIPs were expected to watch the floats from barricaded seating areas set up on either side of the road, the city police said.
Smaller puja committees were allowed to display a maximum of three tableaux while bigger ones were allowed to highlight as many as five floats.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presided over the event accompanied by her cabinet ministers and celebrities. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
Some community pujas marked their golden jubilees this year while others are pushing for their 100th year.
Regardless of their vintage quality, several of the organisers put up marquees aligned with current affairs. Their floats in the parade also reflected those themes. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
Organised by the Bengal government amid tight security arrangements, the award-winning community Durga Puja idols showcased varieties of artistic creation in the road show with pompous beating of Dhaaks and spectacular lighting. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
Organisers of the Beliaghata 33 Pally marquee, who dabbled in nostalgia surrounding the Ambassador yellow taxis, drove home the point with a lively instrumental composition incorporating a range of honks and hoots of the quintessential Kolkata yellow cabs.
They had artistically incorporated 15 taxis, 200 silencer pipes, 300 car doors and other parts of the vehicles to signify the importance of the cabs in their sprawling marquee in north Kolkata. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
The Tala Barowari, which is in its 96th year, highlighted its stand against terrorism. Proclaiming the pen (education) is mightier than the sword, the organisers put up models of a pen's nib in front of the Durga idol atop the tableau. They envisaged a "terror free" world where education enlightens all. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
Kashi Bose Lane puja committee in north Kolkata had children walk besides its tableau holding saplings and wearing helmets representing miners. The tableau stood as a caution: environment shouldn't be harmed in the wake of industrialisation. Its organisers asserted the carnival "will surpass the Rio Carnival". (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
South Kolkata's Suruchi Sangha, which topped the awards, brought out their theme of a Global Village' that depicted the world as one country. The organisers had recreated Bhutan as their pandal theme which was also mirrored in the tableau with Buddha figures and models of monasteries. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
The carnival was also high on cultural elements. From various tribal folk dances to Bengali pop music, the show has it all. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
Manipuri dancers graced the Bosepukur Talbagan float while Dum Dum Tarun Sangha tableau was accompanied by the iconic Chhau dancers of Bengal. The Tridhara Sammilani float, a crowd favourite this year with its tribal culture themed marquee decked up with buffalo heads, had African dancers jiving to lively tribal beats. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
As the procession moved on, organisers attired in ethnic wear danced to the tune of 'dhaaks' (traditional drums) and enacted the rituals of the five-day Durga puja, including the 'Sindoor Khela' custom where married women smear one another with vermillion. Rabindra sangeet and folk music accentuated the festive atmosphere despite the fact that the revelry had come to an end. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
"This Durga Puja carnival is the first step towards our goal of Biswa Bangla. We will go bigger and bigger in future. We will present 75 tableaux next year. We will set up a permanent exhibition centre at Newtown to showcase the artwork of Durga Puja pandals," CM Mamata Banerjee said. (Source: Express photo by Subham Dutta)
