KOLKATA: Women theme makers are making headlines for this year’s Durga Puja. Several medium- and large-budget clubs are placing their trust in female theme creators, marking a significant departure from the traditional male stronghold.
Aditi Chakraborty, 46, who received the award for her work with the Behala Club, gave the central theme of the puja titled ‘Baat Kapad’ to her domestic help Jamuna Adhikari, 69. It depicts women’s empowerment by introducing women (years old).
“She is more than just a help, she is the heart and soul of my family. Her dedication and love make her an irreplaceable part of our family,” Chakraborty said. . “We made a short video documenting her daily chores at home, which is also part of this year’s theme song,” she added. Chakraborty has also worked on the theme ‘Moksha’ for Bakul Bagan Sarbojanin Durgosab.
“I never expected to be so respected,” Adhikari said.
“Domestic help is essential in every family, but few people want to know about their lives outside of work,” says Sayantan Bhattacharyya, the club’s deputy general secretary.
Upasona Chatterjee, 27, a researcher pursuing a PhD at JNU, has been living at her home in Kolkata for the past few months as she shapes the idols and themes of her two clubs in Behala. The theme of Behara Friends Puja, “Marg Darshan”, is a metaphorical expression of “Asura” and “Devi.” Chatterjee, an art history student, documents the entire process of creating a theme for her research paper. She is also the theme author of Behala Naskarpur Sarbojonin Durgotsab.
Suchana Samanta Adak (35) will make her debut at Shivmandir Sarbojonin Durgosab with the theme of “Agol (protection)” depicted through an installation made of clay that conveys the environmental message of saving the earth. Adak holds a degree in fine arts from Visva-Bharati.
Tapasi Saha Chakraborty, 40, is the theme creator for the Mitra Sangha puja in Behala and is presenting Pithora painting, an extinct art form, at the 75th puja. She also works at the Ranmohan Samirani Puja in north Kolkata, where she focuses on the role of women in fishermen’s families.
Priyanka Jana, another female theme designer from Behala, is working on the figurative theme ‘Darok’ for Sovabazar’s Ahiritra 2 Pari, which depicts the migrant workers of the region and their struggle for survival.
People like Ankita Banerjee, Ethika Chandra and Sumi Mazumdar are working with men on various puja themes across the city.
Aditi Chakraborty, 46, who received the award for her work with the Behala Club, gave the central theme of the puja titled ‘Baat Kapad’ to her domestic help Jamuna Adhikari, 69. It depicts women’s empowerment by introducing women (years old).
Expanding
“She is more than just a help, she is the heart and soul of my family. Her dedication and love make her an irreplaceable part of our family,” Chakraborty said. . “We made a short video documenting her daily chores at home, which is also part of this year’s theme song,” she added. Chakraborty has also worked on the theme ‘Moksha’ for Bakul Bagan Sarbojanin Durgosab.
“I never expected to be so respected,” Adhikari said.
“Domestic help is essential in every family, but few people want to know about their lives outside of work,” says Sayantan Bhattacharyya, the club’s deputy general secretary.
Upasona Chatterjee, 27, a researcher pursuing a PhD at JNU, has been living at her home in Kolkata for the past few months as she shapes the idols and themes of her two clubs in Behala. The theme of Behara Friends Puja, “Marg Darshan”, is a metaphorical expression of “Asura” and “Devi.” Chatterjee, an art history student, documents the entire process of creating a theme for her research paper. She is also the theme author of Behala Naskarpur Sarbojonin Durgotsab.
Suchana Samanta Adak (35) will make her debut at Shivmandir Sarbojonin Durgosab with the theme of “Agol (protection)” depicted through an installation made of clay that conveys the environmental message of saving the earth. Adak holds a degree in fine arts from Visva-Bharati.
Tapasi Saha Chakraborty, 40, is the theme creator for the Mitra Sangha puja in Behala and is presenting Pithora painting, an extinct art form, at the 75th puja. She also works at the Ranmohan Samirani Puja in north Kolkata, where she focuses on the role of women in fishermen’s families.
Priyanka Jana, another female theme designer from Behala, is working on the figurative theme ‘Darok’ for Sovabazar’s Ahiritra 2 Pari, which depicts the migrant workers of the region and their struggle for survival.
People like Ankita Banerjee, Ethika Chandra and Sumi Mazumdar are working with men on various puja themes across the city.