The Pujas have now become theme based and with larger investments they are works of art at an unimaginable scale. The city is a marquee for craft, creativity and sheer excellence. The usual trio Mudiali, Tridhara and Shibmandir were good but the usual behemoth paled in comparison to some others. Tala Pratyoy was a magnificent opus by artist Sushanta Pal. “Kahan” was a trip into a realm of the surreal. A grand home furnished, an interplay of light and shadows, copper and glass kissing the clouds. Abol Tabol was a quirky take on the writers work of nonsense rhymes. This neighbourhood in Haatibagan was painted black and white with caricatures. The main area had the Goddess with the Printing Press, reams of paper, some objects and loads of toilet paper highlighting the needs of the environment.
Chakraberia, with a theme “Baksha Badal” depicted the olden days with distressed colours, trunks, old furniture, mirrors dotting the wall. A transition into new breaking down old structures. The broken walls at the entrance were stark. The entrance was a delightful red and white pandal reflecting the simplicity of the olden times. Rajdanga celebrates “Parampara” and a woman welcomes us with head bent amd and urn. The list is endless and social themes rule the roost. There was brick mortar metal embracing themes as varied as “Tushti” (Puchka) “Durga Sahay” , the monetization of this religious festival, “Dosar” (Companionship), Destruction and Creation, Ram Mandir, Disneyland, Ambition, Marg Darshan, Utsav, Praan, Kathabali,Mouchak, Possibility. Etcs. One felt that more would have been better. But, some are missed. Alas!

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