year. Theme-maker Subrata Bandyopadhyay is creating the puja pandal
for three years consecutively. Suruchi Sangha has represented the
theme of Kashmir, Manipur and Goa earlier. But this year, they
intended to return to Bengal to depict the social and cultural
richness, heritage and traditions of Bangla.
Bengal's folk tales are being told here in the form of 'aat chala'.
Famous industry of Shantiniketan - jafri of leather, beni of jute,
fabrics of hay, art work of cane, pillar of terracotta of Bankura, mat
industry of Medinipur, Khagrai industry of Murshidabad, Katha Stich,
art work of sola etc are being used to decorate inside and outside of
the puja pandal.The autumnal Catkin (কাশফুল), Champak tree, Shiuli
(শিউলি) tree would be there along with drummers (ঢাকি) room made by
leaves of 'Sedge' (হোগলা). Tea and pineapples of north Bengal's rough
areas has been made here. 40 year's old tea plants would be seen here.
Moreover, mangrove forests of Sundarban, Bauls of Birbhum, boats, ননীর
পুতুল would be here to entertain viewers. The entrance of the pandal
will be in the form of fish and the exit will be in the form of
'একতারা' ।
The idol would be 'একচালা' made by clay and it would be kept inside a
'কুলো'। The idol is 11 feet high and 14 feet wide. LED lights would
be used here.
Theme song of this puja is: "বাংলা আমার মা"। Lyrics - Chandrani
Gangopadhyay & Kaji Kamal Naser. Comoser - Jit Gangopadhyay. Singers
- Shaan & Shreya Ghoshal.
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A. B.
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