Music to metal, peace to pollution and letters to lamps - pandal-hopping on Panchami morning was a diverse experience for the 40 young judges of Winkies - the cake specialist presents TTIS Choto Chokhe Boro Pujo in association with Snow Park and Subhash Bose Institute of Hotel Management.
Kashi Bose Lane-Sikdar Bagan
It was a musical beginning at Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Committee.An array of instruments - piano, sitar, harp and drums - and antique radio sets adorned the ceiling of the eco-friendly pandal.
Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin told a special story of how members of an organisation for persons with disability write to Durga but the letters remain undelivered because the postboxes are disabled.
Ultraviolet lights made Nabin Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav a sight for sore eyes. "The pandal seems simple at first sight but it transforms under the lights," said Yug Adhya, a Class XI student of Frank Anthony Public School.
Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durgotsov focussed on e-waste and low groundwater level. The deities here are displeased with the pollution all around.
Tallah-Maniktala
Low groundwater level was in focus at Tala Barowari Durgotsab, too, but in keeping with the Ponchash bochhor egiye (Fifty years ahead) theme, it went a step ahead, depicting oxygen parlours through installations.
Telengabagan Sarbajanin Durgatsab showcased the plight of underprivileged kids forced to work for a living.
The hands of the idols at Gouriberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab-o-Pradarshani were all in abhayamudra (gesture of fearlessness). Jedike takai tomake pai was the theme, stressing the omnipresence of the deity.
Durga was worshipped as Devi Katyayani at Lalabagan Nabankur. Her weapons lay on the street, instead she held Krishna in her lap.
From baby care to wheelchairs, Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee had it all. The theme - Chai na bondi, chai mukti - was depicted with installations of animals roaming free in the forest. "The idol was mesmerising," said Aditi Dey Roy, a Class X student of Aditya Academy, Dum Dum.
Behala
An idol sculpted by Jogen Chowdhury was the centrepiece at Behala Nutan Dal, where the theme was Antarmahal, celebrating the woman.
With Khirki theke Shingho Duar or the window to the lion's den as its theme, everything about Behala Friends Club was different - the idol and the pandal made of fibre and designs made of broken vehicle parts.
Barisha Club hit the bullseye with its theme Lokkho Bhed (reaching your target). The pandal decorated with locks and keys, along with a clock, showed the significance of time.
Barisha Youth Club called out to each and everyone in the para to come and create the pujo. The theme: Bindu theke Sindhu (Drops of water make the ocean).
State Bank Park Sarbojanin themed its pandal on selfies. The pandal addressed the concept of alienation and how a selfie is a self-validation tool.
FD Block-Dum Dum
Musical notes, drums, ektaras and flutes, along with clay murals of bauls and kirtaniyas, gave visitors to FD Block Sarbojanin Durga Puja a taste of Bengali folk music.
The AK Block Association puja recreated Presidency College of 1817. The theme of women's empowerment was depicted with a girl aspiring to break free of the shackles of child labour and find an identity.
At Dum Dum Tarun Dal, a 44-feet majestic ship greeted visitors with its oars acting as outstretched arms.
With Shakti Rupena Samsthita as the theme, the Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra Club pandal had three sections - the first stood for Shakti, the second for beauty and the mandap told the story of Mahishasurmardini with hand paintings.
Garia-Selimpur
Garia Mitali Nabadurga was a work of beauty in wood carvings. The idol, too, was decked out in wooden jewellery.
Jodhpur Park Saradiya Utsab Committee was a kaleidoscope of colourful crumbled paper. "The pandal seemed immersed in a bucket of colours. I loved the concept," said Dishanto Roy, Class IX, South Point High School.
At 95 Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee, Durga was draped in veils symbolising the state of the human mind.
Babubagan Sarbojanin Durgotsava Committee went back to kerosene lamps. The goddess sat on a chariot along with her daughters.
Selimpur Palli Sports and Recreation Club depicted stories adapted from Tagore's Raktakarabi. Durga wore a soft and serene look.
Chakraberia-Naktala
Chakraberia Sarbojonin Durgotsab went back to Babuani pujo, one of the oldest forms of Durga Puja organised by the zamindars in the British era. The pandal was dotted with larger-than-life models of a phaeton, rocking chair, utensils and a pocket watch.
Global warming was Bhowanipore Abashar Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samiti's theme. The pandal resembled an Earth set on fire.
41 Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsab was themed on religious unity with a rainbow entrance depicting different religions united as one. The idol was an embodiment of peace as her hands were empty. In contrast, Ajeyo Sanhati went with the theme Shaktirupenang.
Life and Death was the theme at Naktala Udayan Sangha. The exterior wall made of white cloth, when lit up, looks as if on fire. The deity told the story of an ordinary woman's journey to becoming Durga through the magic of a projector.
Tridhara-Bosepukur
Tridhara Akalbodhon showed how high-rises are like monsters gobbling up land and nature. Skyscrapers built with empty boxes surrounded the idol, armed with nine plants. The 10th hand was in the ashirbad pose.
Jaate metal taal e thik was the theme at Ballygunge Cultural Association with engraved copper plates and items such as ghot and koshakushi.
Samaj Sebi Sangha focused on child education and how parents' expectations create pressure on the child.
Moner Jolchhobi, the theme at Shibmandir Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samiti, was a wish for a clean and clear Ganga. Durga dazzled visitors, seated in a boat with a clear reflection - actually another idol - right below.
Bosepukur Sitalamandir Durgotsav Committee created art with PVC pipes.
Bosepukur Talbagan Sarbojanin celebrated the U-17 World Cup with the theme Khelar Chhale .
Reporting by Kirti Jethalia, Chandrajit Mitra, Farah Khatoon, Ishani Ray, Soham Basu, Nilavro Ghosh and Samabrita Sen
