South Kolkata set to entice pandal-hoppers with plethora of exciting themes

Kolkata: The stage is set for pandal-hopping with the pleasant sky and forecast of no further rain. The Pujas in South Kolkata and Southwest Kolkata have lined up a number of innovative themes to attract the revellers.

Mudiali Club on S R Das Road has adopted the theme Mayer Aanchal. The blend of dokra with Banglar patachitra and collaboration between various folk and tribal art forms from Bengal will come alive at the pandal. 'Sankhas' and 'polas' have been used to deck up the pandal.

The Shibmandir Club on Lake Temple Road is following the theme Maatir Taney Mayer Kache Phera. The jungles are getting depleting with rapid urbanisation. However, people should not forget their roots. The new generation settled abroad or outside the state should return to their roots, which is the message being reciprocated through the theme.

Naktala Udayan Sangha is delivering the message that moments are fleeting and cannot be captured, through its theme Kal (Time). Meanwhile, the famous Suruchi Sangha is celebrating mother and soil together through their theme. Flowers and earthen pots in various shapes and shades have been used for pandal decoration.

Bhowanipore Swadhin Sangha acknowledges the contribution of the Santhals in the freedom struggle of the country, through its theme of Joy Jitkaur Deban Mena (Say we shall overcome), which is based on a Santhali poem penned by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Hogla leaves, barks of trees, leaves of maize, earthen pots and oil lamps have been used to decorate the pandal. Santhal adivasis will be present in the pandal with their typical musical instruments like dhamsa and madol, for entertaining pandal-hoppers.

Badamtala Ashar Sangha at Rashbehari Crossing speaks for equal opportunity and equality for women through its theme Sab Charitra Kalpanik. 66 Palli on Nepal Bhattacharjee Street depicts the slow revival of taant and the turnaround of the weavers thorough their theme Taant: Bengal's own weave.

Tridhara Sammilani near Deshapriya Park is trying to revive the lost traditions of Bengal through the theme Prakriti Ratan e Shajabo Joton e. The aim is to familiarise generation Y with the clay and jute artisans of the state, whose prowess remains unacknowledged in this mechanised world.

Chetla Agrani is portraying the emptiness experienced after loss through its theme Bisharjan. A palatial building has been erected for people to understand the futility of existence, along with a pond in front of the idol where visitors will see the reflection of Devi Durga. The pond would serve as a symbol where people can shed their sins.

Santoshpur Lake Pally between Sukanta Setu and EM Bypass has the theme Maayer Heshel. The ingredients used in the kitchen to prepare meals have been used to decorate the pandal. Six tonnes of turmeric has been used for the same. Behala Natun Dal appeals to the children through their theme to feel the happiness of nature and break the shackles of the digital world in which they are engrossed.