Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Durga Puja - 50 days to go. So, the artist of Kumortuli is busy to prepare the idol of goddess Durga. -- A. B.

The theme of this year's Dum Dum Bangur Avenue Pratirodh Bahini Durga Puja is the historical drama of Dinabandhu Mitra 'Neel Darpan'. By this way, they'll pay honour to history of Bengali Drama, as well as will recall the protests and battle of Bengal's farmers against British rule. Neel Darpan was first published in the year 1860. So, 2010 was the year of its centenary. And for the first time, a total Durga Puja pandal will be dedicated to a drama. Total aspect of this drama would be depicted within the area of 17,097 sqft. The organisers brought 'Neel' dana from Bengaluru and a Neel Kuthi will be erected on the model of Kuthi, existing at a small village of Bangladesh. Total 25 models (as seen in the picture) will depict the story of 'Neel Darpan'. The organisers have started to cultivate paddy since last March. Moreover, the canal beside the paddy field, other plants and trees would also be there. The idol of goddess Durga will be an

On 1 September 2012, the new institution 'Udaan' for photography will be opened in Kolkata. It is the brain-child of Arka Dutta - the winner of 2004 'Picture or the year' of World Press Photography, and nominee or 2005 Pulitzer. Udaan would be the new horizon for would be photographers to learn better photography with digital speed by practical classes at Ballygunge Circular Road. There would be basic course and the total classes are only six. And the advance course would complete within five weeks. All the classes will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. But the workshops will run throughout the week. Certificates will be given to the students after each curriculum. So many students of Mumbai branch are now absorbed in BBC, DNA etc. -- A. B.

As seen in the picture, the fans of superstar Shah Rukh Khan are crossing the river Leader hurriedly to see SRK on the spot of Kashmir where he is now busy with the shooting of veteran Yash Chopra's last directorial venture "Untitled Love Story". Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma are on the opposite of SRK. Shah Rukh Khan will shoot for this week there. -- A. B.

Koel Mullick, the Tollywood star will marry on 1 February, she declared it herself on the spot of campaign of her upcoming film 'Dashami' at south Kolkata on last Tuesday. She disclosed that, it is no more gossip, she'll really marry Rane Nispal Singh, the son of Surinder Singh of Surinder Films. Koel's upcoming movie 'Paglu 2' is slated for release on 31 August, 2012. -- A. B.

About 120 pujas will be held at Salt Lake. AK Block: It is their silver jubilee year and their theme is, conservation of environment. Artist: Bapai Sen. BJ Block: Their theme is Rajbari of 322 year's old Sutanuti. Height of the idol is: 27 ft. Artist: Pradip Rudrapaul. IB Block: It is their 29 year's puja and the theme is Dasla Tribe of Assam. Artist: Parimal Paul of Art College. -- A. B.

It is the picture of 10 ft high 'Rakta-Beej' demon under progress by iron rods and pieces of tins, the demon will carry weapons of cloaning - structure of DNA. Malpractice of it may endanger the life. So, the theme of Shib Mandir this year is : 'Stop human cloaning'. Theme-maker: Subrata Bandyopadhyay. -- A. B.

87th birth anniversary of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar would be celebrated on 3 September 2012 by Shilpi Sansad at Rabindra Sadan. The function will start at 5 pm. Tickets: 150, 100, 80, 60 and will be available at hall from today (12-7). Eminent singers, artists of Tollywood will perform at the programme to pay homage to the matinee idol of Bengalee . -- A. B.

Barisha Tarun Tirtho would be decorated by the union of festivity, fair and colour. And fair means 'Nagardola' - the favourite of common Bengalee. So, the theme-maker Bishwanath Dey has chosen the theme Nagardola, as this year's theme. Iron, wood, bamboo and colour are the elements by which the puja pandal would be erected. Various types of Nagardola and Dolna would be made there to attract visitors. At the first step, revolving Nagardola would be there to attract people. This type of Nagardola can be seen only in Singapore and Indonesia. At the second step, there would be a Nagardola made of woods, visitors may ride on it. At the last stage, there would be a Nagardola like a revolving Nat Mandir. Devi Durga would be on the horn of Mahisasur, which might be illustrated as swinging goddess riding on Nagardola. Only the Trishul of Devi Durga would be there as weapons. All the area will take the form of village fair, with a soft and beautiful atmosphere of festi

27 August is the birthday of legendary singer Mukesh. The city of Kolkata observed the day with several functions throughout the day. Mukesh Lovers Association will organise a musical programme at Rotary Sadan of Kolkata on 2 September in which, Srikanta Acharya and Saikat Mitra will sing popular hit songs of Mukesh there. In this context, it is to be noted that, 29 August is the death anniversary of this legendary singer of all time. -- A. B.

The organisers of this year's Durga puja are seeking human faces of goddess Durga, instead of traditional daaker saaj murti. -- A. B.

57th release date of Satyajit Ray's masterpiece Pather Panchali was celebrated in the city yesterday. The film was released on 26 August 1955 in various cinema halls of Kolkata and within a week, it became the talk of the town with both favourable and unfavorable comments. But the world soon realised that it was a milestone of Indian cinema and thus, appreciations came from every corner of the globe, the film attained so many prizes from all the famous film festivals. Yesterday, Ganamadhyam Kendra and Calcutta Film Society had organised a seminar on this occasion where, Uma Dasgupta, who played the role of Durga in the film, was presented alongwith veteran film director Mrinal Sen, cinematographer Soumendu Roy, critic Shamik Bandyopadhyay and other personalities were presented. But, Subir Bandyopadhyay, who played the role of Apu, was absent owing to personal reasons. -- A. B.