Puja Special

At a time when the whole world is in the clutches of a gnawing pandemic, Bengal is going all out to celebrate its biggest festival. Pritesh Basu discusses the Covid challenge during Durga Puja and the measures taken by the administration to make this extravaganza a mega success

With cinema halls reopening after seven long months just before the festive season, some important releases are lined up during Durga Puja with leading actors waiting to see if they can rake up the expected numbers. Anindita Acharya takes us through the dozen films clashing at the box office

Like every Bengali, for Tollywood celebrities too, Durga Puja is more than just an annual festival. They might have their usual fare of pandal inaugurations, film promotions and judging events, but on these four days, the actors give their diet a miss and dig into sumptuous delicacies and relish the late-night adda (friendly gatherings) sessions. Some celebrities even take off to undisclosed locations abroad. But COVID-19 has disrupted lives and changed all plans for the time being at least. With Coronavirus cases showing a steady increase in Kolkata, this Durga Puja is like nothing that we have seen in our lives. The celebrities are yet to feel the Puja vibe though they believe that the deity will usher in hope and heal the world faster. A few Tolly stars chat up with Anindita Acharya about what they will miss the most this Durga Puja and their plans during the festival. Excerpts:

The Covid curve doesn't seem to be flattening and with the onset of Durga Puja, there are enough reasons to worry about. Doctors warn of an imminent spike as healthcare workers are sceptical about large gatherings during Bengal's mega festival, writes Pradip Chatterjee

As the dhaks start beating in my neck of the woods, in some far away land, an ode to the white flowers and the goddess is slightly in contrast to what we know as the quintessential Durga Puja. Nevertheless, vanguards of the tradition, driven by an uncontrollable urge to fill up the void with utmost warmth and amiability, fare quite well in their own kind of celebrations. But this year, Covid has certainly ruined several plans. Kaushikibrata Banerjee writes how the virus has played a spoilsport

This year, there won’t be many grand pandals or striking themes, stretches will be less lit-up and footfall will be restricted, unlike the usual big-ticket Durga Pujas in and around Kolkata. But the festival will have the same charm and attraction for Bengalis who wait for their most important Carnival throughout the year, writes Tarun Goswami

Replacing large get-togethers, virtual rituals are gaining pace in Kolkata’s ‘bonedi baris’. From limiting visitors, ‘sindoor khela’ to ‘kola bou snan’, with most traditions witnessing Covid-imposed restrictions, Anindita Acharya writes how the hosts are still upbeat about the entire Puja paraphernalia

Bengal's biggest festival has arrived and the lanes & bylanes are abuzz with the spirit of Durga Puja. But with Covid & a muted beginning to...

From depicting the pain of child labour to touching upon the crisis of isolation in our modern world and further on to designing a grand structure on the lines of Padmaavat – Durga Puja 2018 is set to be a thrill for the many enthusiasts who anxiously wait for October to arrive, discusses Shayani Mukherjee

With a number of celebrities including football stars to Bollywood personalities visiting Kolkata's famous pandals every year, Saurajit Mazumdar explores whether they are actually crowd-pullers for whom people throng the Pujas in huge numbers.

It’s not only the enjoyment and merrymaking that counts during the Durgotsav every year but it is also the tremendous responsibility of the administration and the police to maintain safety and security throughout the state during this time of the year. Pritesh Basu talks about their preparedness involved to make Durga Puja a grand success, year after year.

Shayani Mukherjee writes how Pujas in Salt Lake and New Town secure the community spirit by involving block members in ritual executions and organising meals, making it a personalised affair.