## Kolkata’s Durga Puja: A Festival of Reimagination and Community
Inscribed by UNESCO in 2021 as an element of intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Durga Puja isn’t just a festival, it’s a city-wide act of reimagination, one that resonates with the Bengali diaspora and others around the world.
For a few autumn nights, the city of Kolkata (and other parts of West Bengal) becomes an open-air gallery where local communities build dazzling temporary temples or *pandals*, artisans from Kumartoli sculpt the goddess from river clay, drummers (*waxy*) roll thunder through the streets, and millions wander from one illuminated dreamscape to the next.
The festivities drew to a close on Thursday.
[Image of Festival goers visiting a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata.© Un News/Rohit Upadhyay]
What looks like a spectacle is actually a community in motion: local clubs raising funds, families volunteering, craftspeople collaborating, and entire local economies springing to life around food, lights, music, and art.
Families map their “pandal-hopping” routes, musicians set the rhythm, food stalls weave the city together, and the city itself becomes a stage.All kinds of divisions – class, caste, ethnicity – in this city of teeming millions, melt away.
UNESCO recognition
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UNESCO recognised the Durga Puja, named after the Hindu goddess Durga, in 2021 describing it as “the best instance of the public performance of religion and art, and a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers.”
As Tim Curtis, UNESCO Representative in India explained, “It embodies the *Sarbojonin* spirit – ‘for all people’ – that has defined community worship since 1926. From clay sculptors to drummers, designers to local organizers, the entire city contributes to one of the most vibrant cultural expressions in the world.”
This is heritage not locked away in monuments but alive in practice, passed hand-to-hand through craftsmanship, reimagined every year with new themes, and binding communities across class, faith, and language.Durga Puja is also a creative economy powerhouse. A 2019 study estimated the festival’s industries generate $4.53 billion,2.58 per cent of West Bengal’s GDP.
Art with a message
for Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, this year marked his first visit to the century-old pandal now spotlighting enduring agriculture, highlighting the broader importance of the sustainable Development Goals.
Durga Puja, one of the most significant festivals in India, is evolving beyond traditional celebrations. This year’s festivities demonstrate a growing commitment to social awareness, particularly concerning environmental issues, and a push for greater inclusivity for people with disabilities. From pandals highlighting water conservation to accessibility initiatives ensuring everyone can participate, Durga Puja 2024 reflects a modern and conscientious spirit.
Raising Awareness Through Art and theme
This year, many Durga Puja pandals are using their artistic displays to address pressing social issues. Themes range from environmental conservation to highlighting the struggles of marginalized communities.
one such example is a pandal dedicated to water conservation. Tisa, an 18-year-old student, noted the importance of this approach, stating, “groundwater is depleting day by day. This is the best way to spread awareness to the public.” This reflects a broader trend of using the festival’s massive reach – attracting millions of visitors – to educate and inspire action on critical issues.The use of art as a medium for social messaging is becoming increasingly prevalent, transforming the Puja into a platform for public discourse.
Making Puja Accessible to All
Durga Puja is also taking significant steps toward inclusivity,ensuring the festival is accessible to people with disabilities.
In June 2024, UNESCO and the UN in India,in collaboration with organizations representing persons with disabilities,launched thorough accessibility guidelines for festival organizers. These guidelines aim to remove barriers to participation and create a welcoming habitat for everyone.
the impact of these guidelines is already visible. Improvements include:
* Ramps and barrier-free layouts: Facilitating mobility for wheelchair users and individuals with other physical disabilities.
* Braille signage: Providing information for visually impaired individuals.
* Sign-language interpreters: Expanding communication access for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
* Quiet seating areas: Offering respite for individuals with sensory sensitivities or those needing a calm space.
Shombi Sharp, representing the UN, shared a particularly moving anecdote: “We heard from a father who, for the first time in 17 years, was able to bring his daughter, a wheelchair user, to celebrate Durga puja. That was an incredibly emotional moment.” This highlights the profound impact of these accessibility measures on individuals and families.
Key Takeaways:
* Social Awareness: Durga Puja pandals are increasingly incorporating themes that address critical social issues like water conservation.
* Inclusivity: New accessibility guidelines are making the festival more welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities.
* Collaboration: UNESCO and the UN in India are working with disability organizations to implement these changes.
* Emotional Impact: Accessibility improvements are enabling greater participation and creating deeply meaningful experiences for individuals and families.
Durga Puja 2024 demonstrates a lovely evolution of tradition, embracing both artistic expression and social obligation.As the festival continues to evolve, it is poised to become an even more powerful force for positive change, celebrating not only faith and culture but also inclusivity and a commitment to a better future.