Pujas 2022 - The Year of Pomp!!... A Review

Random Scene on the Ekadoshi (the day after Durga Immersion)….

Devi has departed from most Mandaps, though some would be waiting for the Grand send-off at the Red Road Carnival… the pavilions wear a desolate look… the string lights on the roads have been taken off… the street vendors have wrapped up their wares and gone… for most of us, it would be time to answer those piled up office mails… normalcy has been restored…

But what is so abnormal about the Durga Pujas?? How is it different from the 4000 odd other Pujas that we have around the year? Why can’t Durga Pujas just be another run-of-the-mill event? Well, for all you know Durga Puja isn’t supposed to happen in Autumn at all….. so, is this darn thing under a garb of something else which doesn’t meet the discerning eye… I wonder!!!

Is it the Pujas, or is it about the city, Kolkata?! Might be… the megapolis which usually takes pride in its slumber and frailties suddenly shakes off its unflappable fatigue during the 10 days of early autumn to present to the world an awe-inspiring & jaw-dropping public art show that presents a perfect case study for anthropologists and researchers… what’s more unreal is the fact that this is merely a temporary installation Artform where the artistes and the audience both know that the exhibits are makeshift, and they would all be gone in no time…

Thus, the Magic of the Pujas is entwined with the sleight of this City which creates an enigma – the Kolkata Durga Puja…  the Magnifico!!!

2022 marked the UNESCO certification, and post couple of years of the Covid intervention the Pujas were expected to be bigger… louder… noisier… there was even a presupposition that there will be “revenge crowding” at the Pandals to compensate last 2 years of relative quietude… Pujas got inaugurated from Mahalaya, something unheard till a few years ago but offering the bandwidth for us to cover more Pujas across the city… Rains played party pooper as it always does… the traffic was dreadful at times… but then I had the ammo of the Invitee Cards (they don’t call them VIP cards anymore!!) those were gold dusts as always!!

It was a worthwhile Season with brilliant showpieces right from the extreme South to the Northern fringes... rewriting structural designs to reinventing folk art, adaptation of masterpieces to impressionistic art... there was a piece for almost every one and every mood... I could not cover all, but from the sample size which is reasonably sizeable, this listicle recounts the Bloopers, the Anticlimaxes and the Finest –

BLOOPERS OF THE YEAR

Abashar Sarbojanin

Designed by Priyanka Jana, the concept titled “Ebaar Purotai Gawlpo” was envisioned as a narrative space, where visitors could experience stories woven into the design…. the decor & installations were crafted to immerse visitors in a journey of tales, blending traditional motifs with creative storytelling… the Mandap entrance fabricated as an open Book welcomed the visitors into a realm of Bengal’s rich literature… ideation was creative, but the execution lacked dramatic visual punch thus robbing off grandeur and even clarity…

The Arm-chair Installation leading into an an-open book facade 

Paper Mache Art

Paper Mache Installation

Swathed Ceiling

The Deity

Shastri Bagan Sporting

I have personally never been amused by these marine or aqua themes which have been attempted at various places. This was no different. Subal Pal’s “Aquarium” aimed to immerse visitors in a vibrant oceanic environment where the interiors were designed to recreate the feel of being inside a giant aquarium, with fish, corals and sea creature mock ups forming the backdrop… the Mandap felt more like a fairground attraction than anything aesthetic…. playful but shallow - great for spectacle, but not for cultural or spiritual impact…  overall disappointing!

Oceanic Entryway

Gallery of Aquariums

An Underwater Epiphany

Mother Goddess in her Aqua-Woman Avatar 

Telengabagan Sarbojanin

2^nd straight year appearance on this list…. “Gawrbhogriher Itikotha” (Tales of the Sanctum Sanctorum) by Manas Roy drew inspiration from Torma, a ritual offering made in Tibetan Buddhism, often crafted from flour and butter, and adorned with intricate designs… the theme conveyed that every sanctum embodies stories of faith, rituals and spiritual journeys….however, without clear explanatory elements, there was a clear disconnect between the visuals and the intended chronicle… Tibetan ritual art felt distant from local traditions, making it harder for audiences to relate…. decorated with a striking colour scheme, which came across as being a visual departure from the more serene tonality of the theme…

Entrance reminiscent of Himalayan Monasteries

A Loud Walkway

The Panelled Dome

The Masthead of the Pandal with ambient Artworks

A visually raucous Devi

ANTICLIMAXES OF THE YEAR

Hazra Park

Designer, Krishanu Pal explored the act of cosmic dance of destruction and creation – “Taandav” symbolizing the eternal cycle of life, energy and existence… It touched upon the churning within, the struggle between primitive instincts & civilization, and the recent global "Taandav" caused by the pandemic… Tandav is not a single moment but a perpetual cycle… The transition from annihilation to institution was symbolized through evolving artistic textures throughout the pandal… the theme was overly Philosophical with the focus on devastation and cosmic instability making the Mandap feel more intellectually abstract than celebratory….

The Entrance Facade

A Winding Alley through to the Sanctum

Part of the Illuminated Walkway

A Sparsely decorated Wall

Idol with a shot of the overhead Centerpice

Tridhara Sammelani

Conceptualised on “দৌড়” (The Race), symbolizing the continuous motion of life and the human struggle to keep moving forward amidst challenges, Gouranga Kuilya captured the essence of speed, progress and the unstoppable flow of existence… The race represents both ambition and struggle, reminding audiences that life wasn’t just about chasing goals but also about experiencing the journey…. Props & art pieces depicted runners, wheels and abstract forms of energy, reinforcing the theme of relentless forward motion… however, the theme’s minimalism came across as being underwhelming… The idea of “life as a race” was philosophical yet repetitive, and it lacked visual depth & storytelling….

Wooden Chair Installation at the Gate 

The Dazzling Cynosure

Rajdanga Naboday Sangha

Ashani Sanket (“Ominous Signs”), focused on the dangers of global warming and environmental destruction, aimed to raise awareness about sustainability & conservational responsibility… pandal structure was crafted to resemble a deteriorating world, with broken, charred & distorted elements symbolizing ecological imbalance…. a gigantic whale effigy riding murky ocean waves depicting melting icebergs & rising seas was the showstopper imagery of the Mandap… however, the entire set up looked stark and less engaging and had a tad bit extra dosage of activism than art… a message-driven graphic presentation which fell well short of expectations…

A gigantic meshworked Whale on the Waves installed as Frontage 

Interior suggestive of an Underwater Realm

Devi mounted on a Bull bust

FINEST OF THE YEAR

75 Palli, Bhowanipore (Oitijhyo Bneche Thakuk by Prasanta Pal)

Prashanta Pal weaved his signature magic with a collage of Pingla Patachitra Art of West Midnapore... "Oitijhyo Bneche Thakuk" was a gorgeous attempt to showcase this fading artform through murals, wall frescos, pottery and even garments, all portraying this native art..... the ideator did not leave any space vacant but the almost conjoined artefacts did not come across as a clutter... the warm lights gave a soothing effect to the interiors... the walls, ceilings, corners and crevices had been transformed into an assemblage of assorted designs… Lovely linear & clean ideation and execution…

Patachitra Roll ups at the Entrance

Patachitra Art on Pottery

A Mosaic of Brouhaha

Wall of Murals

A Fabulous Showcase

Devi seated in a sea of Patachitra Art

Bakulbagan Sarbojanin (Akash Bhawra Shurjyo Taara by Sanatan Dinda)

Sanatan Dinda's "Akaash Bhawra Shurjyo Taara" was an ode to Van Gogh's celebrated oil-on-canvas painting "The Starry Night"... similar to the original painting, the exhibit was dominated by a night sky roiling with chromatic blue swirls, and stars depicted as radiating orbs... instead of the Moon, Dinda incorporated sunflowers to add his own touch... and in the middle of which the signature Dinda idol sat pretty... the artiste's tribute was captured by a shot of the Devi through a framed canvas.... it is anyways a tough ask to magnify any canvas art into a full blown display, but Dinda aced it with his customary aplomb!!

Night Sky Intsallation 

A Contrast of Sunflowers and the Blue-black Sky

The Framed Centerpiece for the Shutterbugs

The Magestic Idol

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir (Punor Nobikawron by Raju Sarkar)

After years of sub-par performances, the Kasba behemoth made a worthy comeback with Raju Sarkar's "Punor Nobikawron" (Restoration)... the concept was meant to shed light on the abject neglect of numerous architectures of Bengal that require immediate care & attention before they get destroyed forever... it also sensitized people on the need to prioritize and revive ancient temples & structures of Bengal before they naturally deteriorate due to complete lack of care.... the Mandap was designed as a reconstruction site of an aged manor housing the Devi.... artefacts, frescos were seen strewn at random spaces while some of the areas were cordoned off for excavation... very realistically portrayed and extremely aesthetic in its plot....

Restoration in Process

Unearthed Artefacts

Reconstructed Arched Shrine 

Traditional Ek Chaala Idol amidst minimalist decor

Chorbagan Sarbojanin (Awntor Shakti by Bimal Samanta)

Harnessing ones’ inner power was the inspiration behind the overall theme designed by Bimal Samanta – Awntor Shakti… The pandal was a stunning installation, a soaring glass-filled space with multi-hued glass fragments which emanated a plethora of colours from backlit displays… Dispersion of lights from multiple sources through the medium of glass denoted diffusion of energy and human spirit…The interior though not large, but the artiste pulled it off by tricking the eye and the mind into believing it to be infinite space…. This invoked a very different spirit which is the sort of liberty that the Durga Puja celebrants offer to themselves, to create just that frisson of excitement… A Beautiful Sight… 

Archway into the main Sanctum

Inverted chandelier Installation on Water 

Shimmery Interiors

Sparkling Inner Space against a Checkerboard Ceiling

A Dominant Devi

Kashi Bose Lane Sarbojanin (Maa by Aditi Chakraborty)

Themed on "Maati" (Earth/Soil), the presentation was based around the Soil that sustains all and sundry... the same reason why Soil is also termed as the Mother... the red soil used here came from a tribal village - Mallarpur in Birbhum... the entire Mandap was created with eco-friendly products.... Aditi Chakraborty's display was minimalistic yet majestic in its visuals... the wall art also captured the earthy tone of the Mandap... Dipen Mondal's idol was easily one of the best of the Season with a tinge of "Graphic"-ness in Her countenance... Super stuff all around..

Domed Sanctum

Circular Chandeliers adorning the Interiors

Colourful Wall Graffiti 

The Brilliant Image

Lalabagan Nabankur (Utshawrgo by Prasanta Pal)

Prashanta Pal's "Utsarga" (Tribute) was a metaphorical tale of inequalities of food distribution in a third world society such as ours where the man who tills the land end up getting the least share of the ultimate food pie.... the pavilion was a typical granary or barn found in rural Bengal with haystack piles & Bamboo skins forming the primary ingredients... the muddy walls wrote a testament to this bucolic ideation... the row of utensils set on the clay ovens led to the main sanctum... the idol was superbly crafted and thus one of the best overall displays of the year...

Thatched Entryway

Passageway leading to the Barn

Motifs lining the Granary wall

Earthen Stoves inside the Lobby

Heart of the Sanctum Sanctorum

The Mother Deity

Naktala Udayan Sangha (Motaa Kaapor by Pradip Das)

Designed by artist Pradip Das, “Mota Kaapor” was the second instalment in a trilogy of themes exploring the trauma and resilience of the Bengal Partition… an emotional homage to the women refugees who settled in the Naktala neighbourhood post Partition… A Workshop ambience was created with glass display boxes containing the tailoring tools - rusted scissors, spools of colourful thread, coal-heated irons and vintage notebooks filled with fabric swatches & hand-written measurements… Khadi fabric installations showcased the Gandhian philosophy of simplicity and self-reliance… Devi was adorned in handspun cloth, avoiding glitter to emphasize simplicity… a beautiful celebration of humble but dignified struggle of the working class…

Kantha Stiched Tapestry

Fabric Murals flanking the Mandap

Fingerprint Installations

Sewing Machine Showcase

Shrine framed with Long-stitch embroidered Textile Art

Modest Deity in Lime Green

SB Park Sarbojanin (Lok Shilpo Probaaho by Partha Dasgupta)

Created by artist Partha Dasgupta, the Mandap was conceived as a "living museum" dedicated to the vanishing folk traditions and rural craftsmanship…. a vibrant homage to Bengal’s folk crafts… One of the most striking visual elements was the use of the boat motifs, sourced from the artisans of Balagarh (Hooghly), which were suspended into the structure symbolizing the "flow" of culture across our riverine landscape… The walkthrough was a cultural journey - entering through folk gateways, moving through craft-inspired walls, immersing in woven interiors and culminating in a Goddess draped in Kantha…

Cross Section of the Mandap

Display of Folk Crafts

Owl Installation with Inverted Dinghies

Airborne Birds portayed by Mounted Inverted Boats on the Ceiling 

Kantha-draped Goddess

Tala Protyoy (Rhiti by Susanta Pal)

“Rhiti” by Susanta Pal corroborated the fact that beyond the motion generated by cosmic and natural processes, there can be motion transmitted by human emotion, touch and synergy… The domed Mandap was created on an Iron base with a fibred wall…. The monumental Idol designed as an ancient monolithic rock sculpture was definitely a sight to behold…

Theme Motif at the Gate

Symmetrical designs bordering the edges of the Mandap

Open-aired Dome for the Shrine

Chiseled Idol

Vivekananda Park Athletic Club (Bhinno Drishtikon by Susanta Pal)

I have heard many stating Puja creativity as "Art for Art's sake"... I'm somebody who has had a disconnect with such opinion... an Artiste's product can never be berated howsoever temporary it might be... "Bhinno Drishtikon" or "A Different Perspective" was a lesson in structural design... Mandap was entirely framed by iron beams & arches evincing an intense grunge effect... the conceived structure of the sanctum was bottom-up, as if the audience was at an eye-level with the main dome on which the deity was mounted.... the open canopy was interlaced with baroque arches captivating any shutterbug... something which could easily slot itself in the all time Hall of Fame... a superb showcase for UNESCO.... a winner all the way!!. Ancient to its core but very much relevant even to the present times…

Iron Meshwork

An Inverted Audience Perspective

Lateral View of the Shrine

Idol perched on a Sculpted Wall

BEST IDOL OF THE YEAR

Karbagan Sarbojanin (Avindra)

The classic is back. The artist recreated the old world charm of traditional imagery. Devi carried a calm yet commanding aura, balancing serenity with ferocity… the idol design fused both devotional and theatrical connotations embodying the synthesis of tradition and artistry… it retained the canonical Mahishasura Mardini form but enriched it with elaborate staging and decorative flourishes…. Extremely, extremely gorgeous!   

The Retro Altar

A Brilliant Deity

Well, those were my takes - but I know this community sees things I miss. Have you encountered this work in person? Disagree with my read entirely? Spotted something I overlooked? The comments are yours. Let's talk art.