Just About Everything

Durga idol-Hindustan Park Kolkata Here are some more Durga puja pandals from South Kolkata. It keeps getting better and better... With Durga pujas now over, there is a bit of sadness in the air... the celebrations got over too soon:(   The puja fever is really something...no one gets spared…it is infectious...it just engulfs you. It is difficult to express how it feels unless you are in Kolkata and are a part of these celebrations. There is so much more to Durga puja than it being a religious festival where Goddess Durga is worshipped.  In fact, I would say it is much beyond a religious festival, it is a time for celebration, a joyous occasion when families and friends get together, delicious khichdi bhog is devoured by one and all (I wait for the khichdi…I have never tasted anything as delicious as this khichdi), gifts are exchanged, one wakes up to the sound of dhaks, and the best part is the creative and beautiful puja pandals and idols... Oh what a treat! ...

Durga idol, Kasba, Talbagan Here is a glimpse of some of the popular Durga pujas in South Kolkata. I was wondering if this could get any better and it does …it keeps getting better. I love the art and the creativity in the pandal decorations, in the different styles in which the idols are conceptualized and presented. There is a lot more…and I will continue to share. Durga Pandal Kasba, Kolkata Ethnic and colourful! Durga puja pandal Bosepukar 2015 Lovely Inside the pandal in Bosepukar, Kasba Banana flower Pandal decorations Durga idol, Bosepukar, Kolkata So real! Ballygunge cultural Traditional drummers (dhakis) Durga idol-Ballygunge cultural

A video clipping of dhakis (traditional drummers) playing the drums after the evening arati in Salt Lake, Kolkata. Drum beats are very much a part of Durga puja festivities, and dhakis are much in demand then.I wish there could be something that could be done to keep this art alive, we barely see these performances other than festivals, and that to a lot of pujas are doing away with it:( I hope it does not come to a future where we only have CDs and recorded music playing instead of live performance.

Durga idol Hatibagan Sarbojanin Happy Saptami! I can't believe that Saptami is almost over. That just leaves us with two more days of festivities :( Here are some more beautiful Durga puja pandals from North Kolkata . The best part about most of the pandals, I visited this year, was the use of natural materials for decorations.It is really nice to see the conscious use of natural materials; not only are they environment friendly, they also result in the employment of rural talent. These creations are so very artistic and amazing. I hope you enjoy this tour.I will bring you more soon. Hatibagan  Sarbojanin puja pandal Paper Decoration pieces Used tea bags  The main pandal with colourful paper decorations Durga idol Nabin Pally Durga puja Paper-mâché Pandal with paper mache Beautiful paper mache creation Durga idol Nalini Sarkar Street Durga puja Hatibagan pandal decorations ...