Durga Puja is one of the few best things that Kolkata is famed for and identified with. It is the only occasion when the City of Joy looks and feels like a new bride in flamboyant fineries. What makes Kolkata a must visit during Durga Puja is not only the beating of dhaaks, the fragrance of shiuli flowers, the flavor of traditional Bengali food, the emotive power of the festive ambience and the memories of family get-togethers or friendly adda but also hopping of puja pandals featuring new themes, pleasing and thought-provoking.
No wonder why many NRI Bengalis book even last minute flights to Kolkata. After all, Durga Puja is a homecoming celebration like Onam in Kerala and Diwali in North India.
Kolkata Durga Puja Themes 2017
The beauty of London is among the major themes of Kolkata Durga Puja 2017. Some of the city-based puja committees have roped in renowned fashion designers like Sharbari Datta to add a trendy look to the attires of idols, while some others have chosen London as a predominant theme. Needless to say, Kolkata is the London of the East.
Two of the leading puja committees are all set to model pandals on London for Durga Puja 2017 in Kolkata. Bhowanipore’s 75 Palli in South Kolkata and Santosh Mitra Square in Central Kolkata are known for their crowd-pulling, award-winning, unique Durga puja themes. These two historic Durga puja committees seem the craftsmen of Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee’s dream of turning Kolkata into London this year.
Kolkata Durga Puja 2017: Santosh Mitra Square
Incepted in 1936, Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja (Lebutala Park) is one of the oldest Kolkata Durga Puja celebrations. Initially known as Sealdah Sarbojanin Durgoutsav, the Santosh Mitra Square puja committee will make a public square of London come alive in the forecourt of their pandal for Durga Puja 2017 in Kolkata. The interior of the pandal will feature traditional decorations while a colossal chandelier will dominate the ceiling.
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The Santosh Mitra Square puja committee has teamed up with eminent fashion designer Agnimitra Paul to design clothes for the idols, which will make Kolkata Durga Puja 2017 a memorable one for revelers. Reportedly, clothes of Goddess Durga, the demon and other idols will be designed on the lines of the fashion in the colonial era when Calcutta was the capital of British India. Gold and zari will largely be used in weaving the designer clothes.
Kolkata Durga Puja 2017: Bhowanipore 75 Palli
A sprawling area of 40,000 square feet in front of the 75 Palli puja pandal in South Kolkata will become alive as a typical London street this year. The things common between Kolkata and London will be the attractions of Bhowanipore 75 Palli’s pandal for Kolkata Durga puja 2017. Reportedly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been invited to inaugurate this pandal
The Bhowanipore 75 Palli puja committee has planned to model the pandal gate on the Big Ben in London and the altar of the idols on the London Bridge. The Palace of Westminster, which houses the British Parliament, will also be recreated to complement the ‘London’ theme of the pandal. The lights of the pandal will resemble those on the streets of London.
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Artistic idols made of mahogany wood and brass in North Bengal will add to the grandeur of 75 Palli’s Durga puja 2017 in Kolkata. Decorated with Dokra artworks, the idols are given a retro look from the bygone days. Being crafted by a group of artisans in North Bengal which rolls under mayhem over the demand for a separate state is brewing in, the idols would send out a message of peace and harmony over discrimination.
Since 2017 is the year of the Indo-UK culture, the Bhowanipore 75 Palli puja committee has associated with the London Sharad Utsav and the British Council to work on their London-inspired Durga puja theme. This South Kolkata Durga Puja 2017 pandal will also highlight Bengal CM’s award-winning ‘Kanyashree’ project.
