Kolkata: Those who could not make it to the Puja pandals to have a glimpse of the theme-based Durga Pujas in the city will now get a second chance during Kali Puja and Jagadhatri Puja respectively. A number of theme-based pandals in the city that have wooed thousands of revellers during the Puja days are all slated to live a second life during the Jagadhatri Puja at Chandannagore, Hooghly and several Kali Pujas across the state.
The pandal of Samajsevi Sangha at Lake Road that had etched out the life of the daily labourers through its theme 'Kurnish' will be used at the Jagadhatri Puja of Burrabazar area in Chandannagore. "We have already started dismantling our pandal that paid tribute to the daily labourers. It is indeed a proud moment that the art décor of the pandal that has received so much appreciation will continue to attract pandal-hoppers also during the Jagadhatri Puja celebrations," said Arijit Maitra, general secretary of the club.
Barisha Club at Behala that had designed its pandal to raise awareness of the harmful effects of radiation from cellphone towers on birds will be recreated at a Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagore while Mudiali Club near Rabindra Sarovar lake that depicted the picture of a unique art form through colour changing lights and glass painting through its theme "Ranger Haat" will be used at the Jagadhatri Puja of Chandannagore's Guru Kalitala.
Two of the three Puja pandals — Hindustan Park in Gariahat and Dum Dum Park Tarun Dal — churned out by theme artist Anirban will be used at a Kali Puja pandal in Airport area and at Kundupukur Jagadhatri Puja respectively. Anirban, who is also responsible for designing the theme of Chetla Agrani, has decided against using the pandal the second time and has decided to destroy it.
The Puja pandal at Kashi Bose Lane based on the theme of water conservation will be used at a Kali Puja pandal in Siliguri and then again at a Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagore . The idol of Devi Durga made of fibre and paper pulp of Naktala Udayan Sangha will be installed on a permanent basis on the bank of Patuli lake off EM Bypass.
Theme-maker Bhabatosh Sutar who had conceived the pandal at Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore claimed that he was not interested in pandals living a second life at other Pujas.
"Pandals that are used for the second time are usually made having a commercial aspect in mind. I feel that an artist's creation in connection with Durga Puja should be unique in nature and should be used for one single time," Sutar added.