Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Mudiali Shib Mandir: Thememaker Subrata Bandyopadhyay creating the magical smooth, serene and quiet beautiful experience with bamboo and cane. A fine pleasing feeling may reach one to a place of illusion here. -- A. B.

South Kolkata:- Hindustan Club: Theme of golden jubilee year - Ankorvat temple of Cambodia. Ballygunge PurbaPally: archive of theme - 15 themes of yester years will be their theme. Chakraberia Sarbojanin: one can feel a serene dawn of autumn inside their puja pandal - sweet flowers within soft light - an illusion will occur. -- A. B.

'Last minute preparation' before the image of Durga go to the puja pandal. -- A. B.

A gorgeous puja pandal of central Kolkata. -- A. B.

One of the eye-catching image of goddess Durga at Tollygunge in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Production of lotus flower is sufficient this year in Bengal. It is an essential element of Durga Puja. -- A. B.

On the occasion of Durga Puja, Dushera will be celebrated throughout the country. The picture was taken in Amritsar. Here in Bengal also it will be observed as usual. -- A. B.

Inauguration of first double-decker AC train at Howrah station tomorrow. The train will run between Howrah and Dhanbad 5 days a week. -- A. B.

South Kolkata:- Trikon Park Sarbojanin Durgotsav: Theme 'A village of cottage industries'. On both sides of the road the artists will demonstrate the work of handicrafts at the shops. The image of Durga will be of traditional rural image by artists of Shantiniketan. Shib Mandir: On this 75th year they are creating pandal of bamboos collected from different parts of Bengal and eastern India. Various dolls made of bamboo will decorate the pandals. Bose Pukur Talbagan: Theme 'Ma O Mati' - mother and soil - they intend to raise the various aspects of soil related to the power of mother. The image of Durga will emerge from the 'Chak' of Kumor. -- A. B.

South Kolkata:- Abasarika: Theme 'Let's go to the land of fairies' - this puja of Maharaja Tagore Road, Dhakuria completed 53 years and a land of imagination will be created here to bring happiness for the visitors. Padmapukur Baroyari Samity: In this platinum jubilee year they are enthusiastic to to fill the heart of visitors with joy by representing a gorgeous puja pandal with light and decoration. Ballygunge Samajsebi Sangha: Theme of this 66 year's puja is 'Sindur Khela' and the puja will be conducted by women only. -- A. B.

Jubak brinda, Dum Dum Park (near Tank No. 4): This 45th year's theme - 'Brahmand' - the source of life. The image of Durga will be here inside a huge egg, which is the symbol of life. Thememaker Bhabatosh Sutar. -- A. B.

Netaji Sporting Club, Lake Town: a few artists from Madhubani of Jharkhand, creating the world-famous Madhubani Paintings for the puja pandal. -- A. B.

'Yatra Shuru' Sangha of Goria: Theme - 'go green - save green'. Their puja pandal will be the awareness campaign of global warming. -- A. B.

Asansol:- Court Road Puja Committee pandal this year - Buddha Mandir of Bangkok. At first layer - plaster of paris, then fibre work. Terracotta works of Bishnupur will also be there. Rabindra Nagar Unnayan Samity: Theme of 45th year's Durga puja - Bishnu mandir of Ahmedabad. It will be made of bamboos from Nagaland. Nagaland theme will also be there. Radhanagar Athletics Club picked the theme 'Naba Durga' - the 9 images of goddess Durga. Burnpur Rasbandh Friends Club decorating their pandal on the basis of a temple of Kerala. Hence, the industry belt of Bengal is ready to enjoy the Durga Puja festival. -- A. B.

Naktala Udayan Sangha: this silver jubilee year's theme 'Amalgamation of metal and wood' - the pandals are being made of iron and woods and the image of Durga is made of woods. But this 17 feet high image's hands, face, crown and weapons are made of pure pittal. The planner of this image is Academy Award winner artist Bhabatosh Sutar. Skilled wood artists of Bagula, skilled pittal artists of Shantiniketan and clay artists of Purulia are doing this job. So, it is obvious that the image of Durga is very very costly. -- A. B.

Baishnabghata Patuli Upanagari, Patuli Durga Puja Committee creating their puja pandal with glass bottles and electric bulb within it. -- A. B.

Durga pratima of Pragati Pally Adhibasi brinda, Pragati Pally - Kalindi. Theme: Terracotta of 'Panchmura' village of Bankura. -- A. B.

The theme of Dum Dum Tarun Dal, Shyamnagar Durga Puja: Drama of Rabindranath. The messages of Tagore will be depicted here through the images of dramas. -- A. B.

On the day of Mahalaya, goddess Durga with family going to the puja pandal in rural Bengal. The images will be finished there. -- A. B.

Durga Puja - 4 days to go. So, Kumortuli artists are busy to give the 'finishing touch' to the idol of goddess Durga in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Yesterday was Kolkata Kite Festival. Here is the picture of that event. -- A. B.

Central Kolkata:- Sealdah Railway Athletic Club: Puja pandal - imitation of Ambar Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan. Many more items will be here to attract visitors. Subodh Mullick Square: Puja Pandal - imitation of Tirupati Mandir (Balaji Mandir) of south India. Lighting is the main attraction here. Md. Ali Park: Theme 'Nari Shakti' or power of women. College Square: the pandal will be like Iscon Temple of Mayapur. Beautiful decoration through lighting the main attraction of this year also. -- A. B.

Salt Lake:- F D Block: Theme of this 27th year - '12 Shiv Linga'. The main attraction is 52 feet high Durga idol made of fibre glass and 12 Shiv Linga on the rock. Art director Sanjit Ghosh of Ramoji Film City. B K Block: The image of Durga will be on a petal of lotus. Light & sound effect is the main attraction as it is planned by famous Kanishka Sen. A J Block: Theme - 'Illusion' . I A Block: Theme - 'Play of colourful world'. Some acrylic paintings like Jamini Roy will decorate the pandal. -- A. B.

East Kolkata:- Telengabagan: theme - 'Kala Bou' - 'kela' or banana tree has very important part in Durga Puja. One can see here 'Naba Durga' and the whole theme planned by Krishnapriya Dasgupta. Karbagan will sketch the lifestyle of tribals of villages Kumri and Prahar in Jharkhand. Mitali, Kankurgachi: theme 'Heaven'. 14 Pally, Dum Dum Road: theme 'Andaman' - the green island with its tribals will be there. Hatkhola Gosaipara: theme 'women power' - status of women will be depicted here by pieces of art work. -- A. B.

Puja pandals of North Kolkata: Hatibagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab - this year's theme: evolution of Indian art - Mughal, British and modern period. Hatibagan Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab theme: 'Moner Manush' of Lalan Fakir - the eternal love story of a man and woman will be depicted by famous Sanatan Dinda here. Hatibagan Nabin Pally's 77th year's theme 'Kunke' (the old rural container to weigh paddy/rice). The 'Shree' is woman of the family. Lakeview Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity picked the 'coconut' this year as the theme. Gouri Bari Sarbojanin: A huge gorgeous temple and artistic image of goddess Durga made by Sanatan Rudrapaul - the main attraction this year. -- A. B.

Today is Mahalaya - the end of 'Pitri paksha' and beginning of 'Debi paksha'. So, the traditional rituals of 'Tarpan' witnessed the 'ghats' of river Ganga in Kolkata this morning. It is the custom of social religion to pay homage to late parents with holy water. -- A. B.

'Finishing touch' - at Kumortuli in Kolkata yesterday. Durga Puja - 5 days to go. -- A. B.

Far from the city, in rural area, a low-budget Durga Puja - the organisers just preparing the puja pandal. -- A. B.

Belgachia Sadharan Durgotsab, Tala Park, Kolkata preparing the pandal with the theme 'Nature'. 75 thousand plants can be seen at their puja pandal. In this 64th year's theme, they hope the awareness to save nature will be depicted through their pandal and images. Here is the image of Durga in shape of a tree. -- A. B.

The image of goddess Durga at the puja pandal in Kolkata. -- A. B.

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On the occasion of World Tourism Day, The kite festival will be inaugurated on 27 September, 2011 in Kolkata. Venue: Brigade Parade Ground (near the north gate of Victoria Memorial). Programme: Rally for World Tourism Day (7:30am-9am); on the perspective of cultural get-together, inception of Kite Festival with World Tourism Day, Kite flying competition, international exhibition on kite flying, kite flying of school-goer children, cultural function and prize distribution ceremony (1pm-5pm). -- A. B.

Natun Gram - a remote village of Bardhaman district where a few artists preparing various dolls painted on woods. Vivekananda Sporting Club, Green Park of Kolkata puja committee decided to bring those artists to prepare dolls for their puja pandal. The dolls will be of 15-20 feet high. So folk culture of Bengal will be the main theme of this puja. In this picture the artists are busy to make the dolls. -- A. B.

'Tapestry Of Sundarban' - a realistic concept of Kendua Sarbojanin, Shanti Sangha, Goria in Kolkata. The cyclone 'Aila' devastated coastal areas of Sundarban a few year's ago. This puja committee decided to bring artisans of Sundarban to erect pandals. The boats, fishermen and their lifestyle will be depicted here. The image of Durga will be situated on this big boat and other four boats shall also be there. -- A. B.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari - Puja pandal of Jagari, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata. -- A. B.

Durga Puja Of Berhampore, Murshidabad : Theme of Bhattacharjee Para - 'Writers' Buildings of Kolkata'. Theme of Babu Para Sarbojanin - 'A Tribal Village'. Theme of Bhairabtala 17 Pally - 'Minakshipuram Temple of Pearland town of America.' It is their golden jubilee year. Theme of Kashimbazar Baroyari tala - 'Birla Temple of Delhi' but the main attraction is lighting of Chandannagar. Theme of Babulbona Puja Committee - 'Gateway Of India of Mumbai'. Theme of Amra Kajan - 'Akshardham Temple of Delhi'. -- A. B.

Behala Club : 67th year's theme Japanese paper cutting art work 'Kirigami'. Mukul Sangha, Behala: 51st year's theme 'Light through the darkness'. Barisha Club, Behala: 23rd year's theme 'Banam' - the musical instrument of Santhals within a Santhal village. Adarsha Pally, Behala: 54th year's theme 'Palm tree'. Barisha Jubak brinda, Behala: 54th year's theme 'colour'. Oikya Sammilani, Behala: Golden jubilee year's theme 'Mother - the power'. 29 Pally, Behala: 11th year's theme 'stop war - come peace'. Sahapur Mitali Sangha, Behala: 63rd year's theme 'go green - save earth'. -- A. B.

The famous 'Siki' art of Madhubani district of Mithila is the Theme of this year's Durga Puja of Lake Town Netaji Sporting Club. 'Siki' is the flowers of a kind of grass. The local people use to make idols of horse, elephant, fish etc with 'Siki'. This eco-friendly art although famous in abroad but less known in Kolkata. The pandal of their puja will be made of Siki and Madhubani paintings will also be there. The image of Durga will be situated on a half-bloomed lotus. -- A. B.

North Kolkata: Shovabazar Beniatola Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity this year creating a mini Chattishgar - the art of 'Sonabai' is the theme. Sonabai is an woman of Chattishgar, dedicated herself for the sake of art. She used to make dolls, drawings etc with used materials. And later it recognised as original art. The image of Durga will be established in the hut resemble to that of rural housewife Sonabai and art work of her will decorate the pandal. Kumortuli Sarbojanin Durgotsab one of the oldest puja. In this 80th year the artist Subal Paul depicting 'Panchabhut' or 5 Elements by which the earth as well as our body created. It will be a great pleasure to visit their puja pandal. -- A. B.

Ajeya Sanghati, Haridebpur: Theme 'teen-e netra' - the pandals are of three parts. They using 8-10 thousand 'Kajallata' of 40-45 variations. Those are collected from various states. The eyes of the images will also be made of the shape of 'Kajallata' and images of insects, birds, trees and animals are being painted on those 'Kajallata' by using oil colour. Badamtala Ashar Sangha: Theme 'mrinmoyee rupe chinmoyee ma' - they using 'Kalas' or pot made of various materials. From earthen pot to steel and aluminum - all the ways of evolution will be depicted here. Even the image of Durga will also be on a pot to harmonise the matter. -- A. B.

"Aai go Uma, kole tule loi" : Theme of 66 Pally Durga Puja of South Kolkata (near Rasbehari Gurudwara). After an year, Uma coming to her mother 'Menoka' - joy and happiness in the heart of mother. Uma not a kid now, but she is always a baby in eye of her mother. Hence, Menoka expressed her joy with the words that the best place of Uma is always her mother's lap. The puja committee has taken the material 'jute' to depict the arrival and departure of Uma. Jute - a useful material not being used by mass due to reign of plastics. Hence, the jute farmers becoming looser. And for this reason the committee decided to uplift the usefulness of jute. 15 artists preparing the pandal with jute. The pandal will be like a castle. At first, the symbolic image of Durga on elephant made of 80 kgs jute. And then, the actual image of Durga on 'Palki' - which will be of similar of that traditional idol. The journey will cover about 60 carrier of 'Palki'. All o...

Theme of Behala Naskarpur is the tribal art of 'Gand' - the tribes of Limbata, under Nabrangpur district of Orissa. Eight tribal artists of 'Gand' now in Kolkata to make images of various god and goddesses by golden paddies and colourful threads. Here paddy is the symbol of 'food' and threads 'clothes'. Nimtala Sarbojanin of north Kolkata - they inclined this year to eternal subtle of burnt soil. The essence of this traditional art work will be found in their puja pandals. But they taken the south Indian heritage of stone-work. From Puran to modern times - a long journey of Indian civilization being depicted in the puja pandal of 'Pally Shri' Durga puja pandal of Jaharlal Dutta Lane of Ultodanga. Janakalyan Sangha of Buro Shibtala, Behala creating a piece of rural Bengal village with green paddy fields, serene stream and bushes where songs of 'Bauls' can be heard all the time. They constructed this village gradually since the end of last ...

Collection of lotus flower from the pools of rural Bengal for the ensuing Durga Puja. -- A. B.

Puja pandals of South Kolkata:- Ekdalia Evergreen : Theme 'It's All Brecht' post-modern instalation art by famous German painter Gregor Schneider. Suruchi Sangha : Theme 'Kashmir'. Dhakuria Babubagan : Theme 'Durga Museum' - the 51 images of goddess Durga. Jodhpur Park Sarbajanin : they're celebrating platinum year. And their theme this year - 'World Peace'. They're making 'Sanchi Stup'. Lake Gardens Shib Mandir : Theme the art-work of 'Dom' community. Bamboo and canes are the main material of their pandal. Hindustan Park : Theme 'Heaven of Glass' - they are depicting the illusions through glasses and hope the spiritual consciousness will raise through it. Bhabanipur Shakharipara Agradoot and Udayan club uplifting the greens of rural Bengal. In this picture, a puja pandal of Kalighat is being prepared by the artists. -- A. B.

Durga Puja - 11 days to go. So, artists of Kumortuli in Kolkata busy to finish the images of Durga. -- A. B.

3 matches of Kolkata Knight Riders which was scheduled to play at Eden Gardens of Kolkata, shifted to Hyderabad and Bengaluru due to occasional rains in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Making of Dhak in rural Bengal - it is the traditional instrument to play during Durga Puja. The 'Dhakis' use to come in the city and suburbs to play at the puja pandals being hired by the puja committees. 'Dhunuchi' dance also being performed by enthusiastic organisers of Durga Puja. -- A. B.

30,000 utensils made of aluminum inside the puja pandal? You can witness this if you go to Bose Pukur Shitala Mandir Durga Puja pandal. They also used aluminum sheets to decorate the entire pandal. Cultural heritage of our neighbour state Bihar, very rich. 25 Pally Khidirpur depicting this colourful traditions at their puja pandal which will be a feast of eye. Flute - the sweet musical instrument from the era of Shri Krishna - not only play but can be a piece of mind-blowing decoration which will prove Durga Puja Committee of Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha. Freedom of Soul - an eternal longing of life, which is the theme of Shyampukur Adi Sarbajanin Durga Puja. They're preparing angel-like images with black and white wings. I hope, it will also be a remarkable experience to remember.

Durga Puja - 12 days to go. But rains not allowing the artists of Durga image to prepare peacefully. Want of adequate sunlight and dry weather hampering the process of drying the images and to prepare and keep the outside decoration of puja pandals. -- A. B.

Yesterday, in Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Auckland in Champions Trophy T20 match dramatically. The win of KKR materialised by the support of Bisla storm and Brett Lee misery. -- A. B.

Durga Puja of Kanai Dhar Lane, Central Kolkata passed 60 years. They never thought to go with trending Theme Puja. But this year they decided to uplift the folk culture of Bengal - 'Pora matir kaaj' or art-work of burnt soil like the famous horse and dolls of Bankura-Bishnupur. So, their slogan is 'Back to Soil'. Dokra artist of Midnapore, Sri Birendranath Maity planning the entire pandal. The clay models are taking the shape inside the pandal. Usually 'pora mati' has certain colour, but to give some colour on this occasion they decided to paint the dolls with some colour. And another speciality of this puja - the image of Durga not on lion, but on horse. The entire pandals will have a touch of rural Bengal. And the organisers hope that people must come and appreciate their effort. In the meantime, it is time to give the finishing touch to the images of Durga. -- A. B.

Kolkata enthusiastically worshipper of Theme Puja. Each year, various prizes are being offered for the best puja. And the city of joy also love to watch those theme pujas very much. This year's overall theme is 'Back to Soil' - the traditional culture and rural heritage of Bengal will be depicted alongwith the power of women in the field of mankind shall enhance the honour and dignity of Durga Puja of Kolkata. Now, we may wait and see the ultimate preparation of puja pandals. Which will be the best? We have to wait a few days more to predict it. The first pic: preparation of puja pandals at Khidirpur area. The second pic: preparation of puja pandals in east Kolkata. -- A. B.

Kite and the device 'latai' on the hand of Vishwakarma marked the inception of Kite Festival in Kolkata. Numerous kites almost occupied the sky of the city of joy yesterday. In this pic Vishwakarma being worshipped on a vessel. -- A. B.

Today I went to Serampore, a place near Kolkata to observe Vishwakarma Puja. -- A. B.

According to Veda, Vishwakarma is our father and breeder. His eyes, face, arms and legs - everywhere. In terms of Purana, Vishwakarma is the artist and architect of all the gods. His remarkable creations are - Alakapuri of Kuber, Swarn Lanka of Ravana, Dwarka - the kingdom of Lord Krishna etc. He created the famous Apsara 'Tilottama' by collecting all the beauties of this world. Vishwakarma made all the weapons of our gods and goddesses. -- A. B.

Now we have just few days for last minute preparation for our great event of the year, yes I am talking about 'Durga Puja'! Though Durga Puja is the one of the most prominent festivals in the country, for Bengalis it is the main occasion when they… Click here to read the full story --

Howrah - the city on the other bank of River Ganga. This year the puja committees of Howrah prefer to raise the heritage of Bengal's old traditions. Kamardanga Shitalatala Baroyari Durga Puja committee uplifting the art-work of rural Bengal - like the handicrafts made by bamboos. Howrah Kadamtala Sahajatri Durga Puja Committee preparing their puja pandal with the theme 'black' - life, present status and aspirations. Shibpur Shashthitala Baroyari Durga Puja Committee taking the theme 'Ganga' - present status, pollution and proper utilisation of this main river of Bengal will be depicted inside their puja pandals. Shibpur Olabibitala Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee's theme this year 'Light' - thousands of clay lamps will cover the whole area. They hope that the light of the heart will also be on by visiting their puja. Bagbadini Bayam Samity, Central Howrah - their puja pandal will be made with replica of various temples of the country. Kantapukur Baroyari...

Bangla and Bengali - another name of festivity. Various festivals occupied all the months of Bengalee. Arandhan Utsav - one of them. Today is the festival of cooking and obviously it related to the kitchen rooms of Bengalees. At this moment, rural and urban households are almost engaged at the kitchen room to cook various items, mainly fries including the main item - Hilsa or Ilish. Various names of this cooking - 'ichche-ranna' 'gabro ranna' 'athashe ranna' 'dharate ranna' etc. And today's ranna is 'Buro ranna' as tomorrow is the Vishwakarma Puja. 'Manasa' is the goddess of this festival. A temporary 'ghot' use to be installed beside the clay oven specially made for this and the branches of 'Phani Manasa' tree alongwith 'Shaluk' flowers they keep into it. After the cooking, various items are use to keep near the 'ghot' to please the goddess. Friends and neighbours are invited on this night to taste the...

Kite Festival today in Kolkata. The Tourism Department of the state inaugurated the joyful festival at B B D Bag in Kolkata this morning. Tomorrow, Sunday, inauguration of another Kite Festival at Hedua Park in the city of joy. -- A. B.

An artist preparing the clay model of goddess Durga in lamp light at a rural village of Bengal. -- A. B.

Vishwakarma Puja - 2 days to go. It is also the festival of kites. But if a giant colourful butterfly becomes a kite, would you like? Don't worry. It is a kite to enhance the enthusiasm of kite-lovers of the city of joy - Kolkata. -- A. B. -- A. B.

Goddess Durga - like the daughter of house - after marriage when she comes to her father's house, her mother assisted by other female members of the family, recognise the new married life of their daughter by wearing 'Red Pala' on the hands of Durga as the sign of married woman. A family of rural Bengal performing this ritual in this photo.-- A. B.

Lotus collection in rural Bengal for ensuing Durga Puja. I liked this photo published today. -- A. B.

After a few days - Vishwakarma Puja. And Kite Festival also. So, the kite shops are busy with various types and colours of kites to meet the demand of enthusiastic buyers. -- A. B.

A puja committee of Khidirpur, preparing the pandal for ensuing Durga Puja. -- A. B.

The city's Salt Lake FD Block Puja committee preparing 52 feet Durga. -- A. B.

Colours are ready, pandals are busy with the decoration, but the artists of Kumortuli now busy to make images of Vishwakarma as coming 18th September is the Vishwakarma Puja. So, from next Sunday, the artists of clay images will back to finish clay models of goddess Durga. -- A. B.