-S.P.Chopra
New Delhi: Come to
Arambagh Puja and you will see a huge façade of 40 ft where
Mahisasur is seen above a collage of a Mandir, Masjid, Church, Gurudwara and
Lotus Temple. If you look up there is Durga above Mahisasur. Inside the pandal,
you will see a handsome Mahisasur unlike the one we have been witnessing for
ages – ugly and horrific near Durga.
“India is a country
which celebrates unity in diversity. Mahisasur is trying to disturb the
communal harmony, but Durga has overpowered him. We have a tendency to connote
ugly with evil, whereas that is not the case. Evil can be anywhere and in any
form. So through a handsome Mahisasur we are trying to convey a message to
fight racism.”- said Mr Abhijit Bose, Executive Chairman, Arambagh Puja.
Arambagh Puja is known
for its uniqueness, creativity and social responsibility in celebration. The 40
ft tall façade has been created by famous artiste Bijan Kundu and Nilanjan
Chitrakar has made 12*26 ft Durga idol.
The Arambagh Puja Samiti
is hosting some artisans from West Bengal to come and sell their products at
the puja. A lady, whose husband was a victim of political murder, has come to
sell her terracotta products. Other hosted artisans are from Bardhaman,
Shantiniketan and Medinipur whose travel and stay has been taken care of by the
Puja Samiti and the stalls have been allotted free of cost.
“Some of them came last
year and got very good response. This year they called us and showed their
interest to come again. Although we are short on budget, on humanity ground our
Puja Samiti decided to extend all possible help to the artisans since the art forms
they represent are dying and if we don’t support them, who will support them?”
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