In my journey I felt that the Puja has acquired the status of an art exposition, a Biennale. On the one hand  Shakti and Durga have brought out the exceptional talent and creativity of the Bengalis. On the other hand while I was sifting through my photographs I found that the Durga and her family have morphed. These idols are stunningly beautiful with almond shaped eyes, lustrous hair, lusciously painted lips. The lion changed into a horse, a unicorn and often was an ancillary prop. Mahishasura mostly was a handsome guy meditating, in penance or kneeling asking for forgiveness, sometimes with ten hands. The buffalo was mostly supine quite lacking the ferocity it may have depicted in earlier times.
This benign form of the Goddess is pleasing, has a calming effect but I am a purist at heart. I like my textiles to have the authentic design and even Shakti somehow I kept rewinding to a form that is angry, glaring, posed menacingly over a ferocious demon. The lion mauling the petrified bull. There was blood and gore. I feel it symbolizes victory over evil better.  The bad looked really evil and Durga in standing over Mahishasura is a powerful image to take home and imbibe. The purity of the soul, ahinsa, penance, forgiveness  are laudable motives and need representation. However…
The dhaak beat rolls, Ma leaves us with sadness, yet strong with hope. Things will be better in the world!
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