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| Subimal Das cuts sola to make designer chandmalas. Picture by Gopal Senapati |
An essential part of Durga Puja or any other puja is the chandmala that hangs from the deity’s hand. Traditionally, these garlands were pristine white as they were made out of sola, but with time as the grandeur of pujas increased, these have become more shiny and bright and are usually seen in gold or silver colours. Subimal Das is associated with the art of making chandmalas. He is trying hard to keep alive the tradition of his grandfather and father, both of whom were known in central Howrah for their designer chandmalas. Their task was not just to make the chandmalas but to also deliver them to the respective houses or barowari puja committees in time.
Subimal has maintained the tradition and delivers chandmalas to each of his clients on Chaturthi or Panchami. His chandmalas go to Annapurna Byayam Samity’s Durga Puja, Jagachha Matri Mandir, Howrah Seva Sangha and to household pujas like the Mullick Bari puja in central Howrah and many others.
Subimal makes shiny chandmalas, customised with the names of the club or barowari committee written on them. The size also varies according to the height of the idol.
“When my father, Kalipada Das, made chandmalas, he would cut out every design from sola. He would paste the designs on paper and use ink or soot to colour them. Now I use paint and plastic decorations to make the chandmalas look gorgeous. That is how puja committees and even some families want their chandmalas to be. However, the essential item is sola,” said Subimal.
Subimal’s work starts four months ahead of Durga Puja. “I have to stay up till late night making these chandmalas. I have to deliver all the chandmalas by Chaturthi or Panchami. Traditional pujas, that still maintain rituals, can never start the puja without the chandmala,” said Das.
Everything is made by hand, including the kadam phool, called jhanpa in Das’s terms. It is made by cutting through a roll of sola. Earlier, Kalipada Das would also supply flowers to the pujas.
“We are malakar or flower traders by profession through many generations. Many people still believe that the chandmala must be bought from the malakar, to make the puja complete. However, these days everything is available at the markets and not everyone bothers to buy from us,” said Das.
Subimal’s clients are some 32 households and clubs for Durga Puja. “This is the busiest time of the year. For the traditional pujas, I have to make at least eight chandmalas per household. My family members help out in making them. My mother, Parul Das, is an expert in cutting and shaping sola,” said Das.
He says that there are rules for making these decorative items and he follows them. “The chandmalas for each day is different. On Saptami, it can be colourful, but the Ashtami chandmala has to have a touch of red in it. The chandmala at Sandhi puja has to be totally red. Navami is a day of peace so the chandmala is white. There are particular chandmalas, called rashi chandmala which are used for the ghot and is offered everyday,” said Subimal.
Apart from chandmalas, Subimal also makes other sola items that are used for puja rituals. A sinthi mukut, made from sola, is used to adorn kalabou. Subimal also makes these and supplies them for the puja.
He also makes sola jharas or cubical structures placed under the bel tree during Sashthi puja.
“There are many sola items that are used for different religious rituals all around the year. I make all of them, but in small numbers. I cannot run a family by selling sola items and flowers alone. I also do physiotherapy and physical training to earn a living. Chandmalas and sola items are a family tradition that I like to do because I like being creative,” said Subimal.
More about subimal
DoB: May 25, 1970
Born in: Howrah
Education: Madhyamik
Family: Mother, three brothers, five sisters (married)
Loves: Art
