HB Block

Block: AA

Year: 37th

Budget: Rs 9 lakh

Location: AA Park

The look: The park is being turned into a tribal village with mountains and caves as the backdrop. Live models will depict the lives of the tribals. The idol’s clothes and jewellery will have tribal influence.

Fun funda: The puja will be inaugurated on Panchami by Locket Chatterjee and Sujit Bose. Kumkum Sen will present welcome songs and baul singers from Birbhum will perform. On Sashthi children will present a dance item. Ankita dance troupe from BB Block will perform creative dance. On Navami residents will participate in antakshari.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, alu bhaja, dhokar dalna, paneer, chutney, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, Kashmiri alur dum, dhokar dalna, chutney, mishti. Navami- khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, mishti.

Block: AB

Year: 35th

Budget: Rs 11 lakh

Location: Outside community hall

The look: The Kedarnath temple is being replicated here. The idol will have a rudra look.

Fun funda: Inauguration on Panchami with recitation of Vedic mantras and a recital on Mahalaya by residents. The block will felicitate students who have cleared Board exams this year. Sashthi will begin with Tagore’s dance drama Pujarini, followed by Rabindrasangeet and another dance drama Borshe borshe phire esho Ma. Saptami will have modern songs, Rabindrasangeet and Sukumar Roy’s play Pagla Dashu. Residents will put up dances from different states of India. Ashtami will begin with Nazrulgeeti, followed by Pancho kobir gaan, a play Ballavpurer Rupkatha and antakshari.

FD Block

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, beguni, mixed vegetables, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- luchi, chholar dal, alur dom, chutney, mihidana. Ekadashi (dinner)- fried rice, vegetable chop, paneer, chutney, gulab jamun.

Block: AC

Year: 36th

Budget: Rs 5 lakh

Location: Community hall and park

The look: The pandal will be a replica of Badrinath temple and the idol, sculpted by Sanatan Pal, will be a traditional ekchala one.

Fun funda: The puja will be inaugurated by a monk from Belur Math on Panchami. On Sashthi, children will present Narayan Ganguly’s play Bhim Bodh and a dance drama. On Saptami, a recitation collage will be presented followed by Bhanusingher Padabali. On Ashtami, residents will present Rabindrasangeet, bhatiali, modern songs etc. in a collage. On Navami, they will stage Shesh Shakshatkar, based on a Russian play. Vijaya Sammelani will be celebrated on October 19 with magician Dhyan Chand Mambram taking stage.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, dal, alu bhaja, sukto, chhanar dalna, mixed vegetables, chutney, payesh. Ashtmi- khichuri, luchi, beguni, vegetable chop, navratna curry, potoler dorma, chutney, sweet. Navami- fried rice, vegetable chop, chhanar dalna, alu-potoler tarkari, chutney, payesh.

Block: AD

Year: 35th

Budget: Rs 7 lakh

Location: Community hall and the empty plot next to it.

The look: The pandal will be simple and the goddess traditional.

Fun funda: The inauguration is on Panchami. On Sashthi, children will sing agomoni songs and a guest artiste folk songs. On Saptami, kids will perform Sukumar Roy’s Ajob Shaja. There will be some dances to Rabindrasangeet and then residents will stage Sondhyatara. On Navami, residents will sing old Hindi songs and put up an Odissi dance recital.

Food fiesta: Saptami- pulao, paneer, bhaja, chutney, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, alur dum, khichuri, labra, chutney, mishti. Navami- rice, machher matha diye dal, mutton curry, chutney, mishti, curd.

Block: AE (Part 1)

Year: 30th

Budget: Rs 14 lakh

Location: Empty plot next to AE (Part I) Park

The look: The idol at this puja will have 18 hands instead of 10 as it follows a particular Navadurga form from the scriptures. The pandal will have terracotta work. Inside, mantras will be painted using symbols.

Fun funda: Actresses Satabdi Roy and Debasree Roy will inaugurate the puja on Chaturthi. On Sashthi, there will be music, dance and an audio drama Match of the Man, written by resident Gora Chakraborty. On Saptami a dance-and-script rendition of Tagore’s Sadharon Meye will be enacted. Children will stage a comedy Sachcha Bhagwan followed by a dance medley to Hindi film songs. On Ashtami there will be an audio drama and Tagore’s Shamanyo Kshoti. Women will present the play Atho Bhagabati Upakhyan on Navami.

Food fiesta: Ashtami- kachuri or radhaballavi, chana masala, dhokar dalna, vegetable chop, alur dum, chutney, payesh, papad, bonde. Navami- khichuri, vegetable pakora, labra, chutney, papad, payesh, bonde.

Block: AE (Part II)

Year: 37th

Budget: Rs 12 lakh

Location: Next to AE Market

The look: The mandap is a temple made of jute and the interiors are being done up with thermocol and kulo. Sanatan Rudra Pal’s idol would be traditional.

Fun funda: On Panchami Swami Achyutananda Maharaj of Belur Math will inaugurate the puja. This will be followed by agomoni songs by members of the block’s ladies wing. Children will present a dance recital directed by Arpita Vanketesh. On Sashthi children will stage Chikitsha Sonkot directed by Anindya Sen followed by Nazrulgeeti by resident Chaitali Gupta. On Saptami night, there is recitation by guest artiste Anita Gupta and a dance drama on 100 years of Indian cinema by residents, directed by Sudeshna Jana. The highlight of Ashtami will be a comedy Hashir Arale by women. On Navami, residents will stage the audio drama Oporahnyer Alo, while block women will stage a dance drama. Srabani Sen will perform on Ekadashi at the Vijaya Dashami show.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, pakora, labra, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- luchi, alur dum, chholar dal, soyabean curry, chutney, papad, payesh. Navami- pulao, stuffed potato, navaratan korma, chutney, papad, payesh.

Block: AG

Year: 27th

Budget: Rs 9 lakh

Location: AG Park

The look: This year being the centenary of Tagore’s Nobel prize, the pandal will be a replica of the bungalow in Mongpu where the bard had put up, decorated with 25 pictures. His paintings, scribbles and milestones of life will be showcased too. At least two poems — Camelia and Janmadin — that he had penned during the stay will be displayed. The idol will be traditional with daker saaj.

Fun funda: Dwadashi- There will be a welcome song, recitation by children and a programme on Tagore’s love songs.

Food fiesta: Saptami- fried rice, paneer, dal fry, alu pakora, chutney, papad, mishti. Ashtami- khichuri, labra, alu pakora, chutney, papad, mishti. Navami- rice, alu bhaja, dal, alu-potol chingrir tarkari, mutton, chutney, papad, mishti.

AH Block

Block: AH

Year: 30th

Budget: Rs 9 lakh

Location: Two adjacent empty plots — AH 210 and AH 245. Enter from the Tank 7 approach.

The look: All the bamboo poles of the pandal are being covered with — not cloth but — threads of silk. The pandal promises to be a colourful one. The idol will be traditional.

Fun funda: On Panchami there is agomoni songs, dances, recitation and a performance by singer Arindam Ganguly. On Sashthi the block’s ladies club will present music and stage Ram Dhakka. On Saptami miscellaneous programmes will be followed by an item fusing Tagore and contemporary dance steps. Ashtami will see a play Bhooter Mukhey Ram Naam by youngsters and an audio drama Biliti Pishi by women. On Navami residents will perform all sorts of music — classical to Bollywood. Guest artiste Bibhobindu Bhattacharya will sing modern songs.

Food fiesta: Ashtami- luchi, chholar dal, alur dum, matar paneer, chutney, mishti. Navami- fried rice, dal, alu bhaja, soyabean curry, phulkopir tarkari, chutney, payesh, mishti.

AJ Block

Block: AJ

Year: 29th

Budget: Rs 18 lakh

Location: AJ Park

The look: Uma meditates before Shiva in the Himalayas. There are mountains all around. Visitors will walk through a tunnel and over a bridge with a stream underneath. Nandi, the bull, will sit before a 15-ft statue of Lord Shiva.

The idol is of Uma in meditation. She and her children will be dressed in saffron and adorned with floral ornaments. Artiste Pannalal of Santiniketan is in charge.

Fun funda: The puja will be inaugurated on Chaturthi. On Panchami there will be songs by residents. On Sashthi from 4pm to 6pm a dhak-playing contest will be held, open to residents of all blocks. There will be advance registration at the pandal. In the evening there will be dance and devotional and modern songs. On Saptami children will enact Achchha Jobdo, inspired by an Aesop’s fable. The dance drama Shapmochan will be performed with live music by residents. On Ashtami children will dance. On Navami residents will put up a musical item on the centenary of Indian cinema.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, sukto, alu bhaja, moog dal, dhokar dalna, chutney, payesh, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, begun bhaja, chholar dal, stuffed potato, chutney, payesh, bonde. Navami- pulao, paneer pasinda, mixed vegetable kofta, fulkopi roast, chutney, payesh, kulfi.

Block: AK

Year: 26th

Budget: Rs 28 lakh

Location: AK Park

The look: Air, water and fire — the three elements essential for life — will find representation here. Artist Bapai Sen has stored 17,000l of water which will flow through transparent pipes along the pandal walls, lit from the back. A projector will beam views of the sky on the ceiling from which will hang pigeons in flight made of fibre. Black fibre sheets have been cut out to reveal slokas in Bengali from The Gita. They will glow in the dark in seven colours of the rainbow. The weaponless goddess is a harbinger of peace.

Fun funda: Opening on Chaturthi, followed by song and dance drama by block residents. Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta will sing devotional songs and Suvrokanti Chattopadhyay will present Bengali modern songs. On Panchami, Odissi dance directed by Sriparna Mitra. Guest artistes for subsequent evenings not finalised yet.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, sukto, dal, alu bhaja, alu potol curry,

chutney, papad, dorbesh. Ashtami- luchi, begun bhaja, chholar dal, chilli soyabean, chutney, payesh. Navami- rice, dal, kumro bhaja,

macher matha deye chhnyachra, fish curry, chutney, papad.

Block: AL

Year: 24th

Budget: Rs 4.5 lakh

Location: AL Park

The look: The pandal will resemble a temple. The idol will be ekchala.

Fun funda: After the opening on Sashthi, a team sent by the ministry of culture will perform the dance drama Chandalika. On Saptami, girls will present classical and modern dance. There will also be song and recitation programmes by residents. On Ashtami children will perform Sunirmal Basu’s play Kipte Thakurda. Some musical performances will take place on Navami.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, chhnyachra, beguni, payesh, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, alur dum, dal, chutney, mishti. Navami- rice, fish kalia, potoler dalna, chutney, mishti.

Block: BA

Year: 34th

Budget: Rs 10 lakh

Location: BA Block community hall

The look: The pandal will be simple and the ekchala idol would be decorated in daker saj.

Fun funda: On Sashthi, a monk from Ramakrishna Math, Yogadyan, would inaugurate the puja. Agomoni songs will follow. Saptami evening is reserved for Anandamela, a food fair where residents would will sell home-made delicacies. On Ashtami there will be a dhunuchhi dance contest and dandiya on Navami. Both are open to all. On Ekadashi children will stage Chhotto Pakhi Dushtu Hulor Golpo. On Dwadashi, residents will perform a medley of Bengali and Hindi songs. Youths will stage a comedy Kolikaler Borda. On Trayodashi, residents will put up a dance recital.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, sukto, dal, alu bhaja, dhokar dalna, paneer kofta, chutney, papad, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, begun bhaja, chholar dal, alur dum, fulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, mishti. Navami- khichuri, beguni, labra, badhakopir tarkari, chutney, papad, payesh.

Block: BB

Year: 40th

Budget: Rs 12 lakh

Location: Adjacent to BB Block community hall

The look: The mandap is a replica of a bird’s nest made of hay in keeping with the theme Saajher kulay. The goddess is ekchala adorned in daker saj.

Fun funda: On Panchami, Swami Divyajnanananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha will inaugurate the puja. It would be followed by agomoni songs by block residents. On Ekadashi, children will stage Clue, directed by Ruby Ganguly. It would be followed by a creative dance programme by block residents. Then ladies will stage Indumati Bridhyabash, directed by Suchitrita Ghosh. On Dwadashi, block residents will sing a medley of puratani and folk songs, directed by Sujata Sarkar and Nandita Chatterjee. It would be followed by a creative dance programme by block youths, directed by Sushmita Sethia. On Trayodashi, children will perform a collage of different dance forms directed by Ankita Ghosh. Residents would then stage Ballabhpurer Rupkatha, directed by Bijon Ghosh.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, ghee, bori bhaja, notey shaak, sukto, moog dal, alu bhaja, mochar ghonto, chutney, papad, payesh, mishti. Ashtami- dal puri, chholar dal, alur dum, badhakopir tarkari, vegetable chop, chutney, papad, payesh, mishti. Navami- hotch potch khichuri (with extra vegetables), beguni, labra, kachkolar kofta, chutney, papad, payesh, mishti. Vijaya Dashami lunch on October 20- rice, moog dal, alu bhaja, fish cutlet with salad, chhnyachra, choice of mutton kosha/fish/egg curry, chutney, papad, mishti, ice cream, paan.

Block: BC

Year: 37th

Budget: Rs 6 lakh

Location: BC Block community hall

The look: The mandap is a replica of the Assembly house of Karnataka. The Goddess would have a marble finish.

Fun funda: Inauguration on Panchami. Guest group Aabhog would perform agomoni songs and children will stage a dance programme, Buddhu Hutum. On Sashthi Ranjit Karmakar will perform mime. Children will stage Sukumar Roy’s Abaak Jolpan and some dances. On Saptami women will stage Manoj Mitra’s Dampati. Ashtami will feature the audio drama Alor pothjatri by residents. Youths will perform a musical programme featuring folk, contemporary and old songs. Guest dance group Chhando O Mudra will perform. On Navami Bangla band Mukti will sing folk songs and dance group North Calcutta Sur Sanchari will present dance drama Jagat Jononi Ma.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, alur dum, beguni, chutney, papad, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, begun bhaja, chholar dal, navratna curry, chutney, mishti. Navami- pulao, chhanar kalia, stuffed potol, alur dum, chutney, papad, mishti.

Block: BD

Year: 35th

Budget: Rs 9 lakh

Location: BD Park

The look: The mandap would be an imaginary temple and the goddess would be traditional.

Fun funda: Inauguration on Sashthi. Agomoni songs will follow. Children will showcase a dance medley to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema. On Saptami guest singer Shilajit will perform and on Ashtami there will be open-to-all contests like conchshell blowing, lighting of candles and dhunuchi dance. On Navami, an orchestra will play modern music.

Food fiesta: Ashtami- khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad, payesh, mishti. Navami- rice, dal, potol-chingri, pulao, mutton curry, chutney, papad, mishti, ice cream.

BE (east)

Block: BE (East)

Year: 34th

Budget: Rs 12 lakh

Location: An empty plot at BE 365

The look: The theme is Kumortuli. An old-world natmandir is the pandal. On two of its sides, two-storeyed facades have come up under which the stages of idol-making will be demonstrated live. Weapons of the goddess will be on display in a make-shift shop. In keeping with the practice at the Kumortuli puja, Laxmi and Saraswati will switch sides.

Fun funda: After the opening on Chaturthi, local kids will sing agomoni songs. Soumyadeep Banerjee, Adrija Debnath and Anushka Das will sing as well. Block children will stage a dance recital directed by Gargi Bhaumik. Panchami will feature one-act play Projapoti Office. On Sashthi, Angana Mukherjee’s dance will be followed by orchestra group led by Sandip Chakraborty.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad; Ashtami- chana batura, mishti; Navami- rice, machher matha diye dal, alu bhaja, fish kalia, chutney, papad, mishti.

Block: BE (West)

Year: 30th

Budget: Rs 6 lakh

Location: BE Park

The look: The pandal is simple and the Sanatan Rudra Pal-created idol is traditional.

Fun funda: After stotropath by Devika Bhattacharya at 7.30pm, Swami Somatmananda of Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Gol Park, will unveil the image. Agomani songs will be presented by members of Sarada Sangha. On Sashthi at 7pm a dance drama will be staged titled Antabihin Leela Tomar. A sit-and-draw contest is scheduled for Saptami at 10am. At 7pm residents will sing Devi Archana. At 7.30pm, the play Bishnupriya Briddhashram will be staged by BE(West) Ladies Club. Quiz and antakshari contests moderated by Basab Aich will take place on Ashtami at 8am. A short play, Amlamadhur, will be staged at 7.30pm. Residents will present variety programmes on Navami evening. Vijaya Sammelani will take place on October 16 at 7.30 pm.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, chutney, papad, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, chhanar dalna, alur dum, sujir halwa. Navami- pulao, vegetable kofta curry, cauliflower curry, chutney, papad, mishti.

Block: BF

Year: 35th

Budget: Rs 35 lakh

Location: BF Park

The look: The block is using recycled materials to decorate the mandap. So expect used coconut shells, carrom strikers, aluminium and plastic containers, mats, hay, twigs, coloured threads and bits of cloth. The goddess as well as her jewellery and sari are made of clay.

Fun funda: The puja will be inaugurated on Sashthi evening when some differently-abled children will perform. There will also be agomoni songs and a dance drama Teen Kanya by residents. Saptami will feature a scripted dance recital, children’s dances, an audio drama and dance drama Sakuntala by residents. On Ashtami, the theatre group Natasena will stage Garur Garir Headlight. Navami will have residents reciting, putting up a dance on 100 years of Indian cinema and then the recitation group Udaan will take stage. The evening will end with a DJ behind the console. Cultural programmes will take place on Dashami as well.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, papad, chutney, bonde. Ashtami- luchi, chholar dal, alur dum, paneer curry, papad, chutney, mishti. Navami- rice, dal, alu bhaja, mutton curry, chutney, papad, mishti. Dashami- rice, dal, machher matha diye chhnyachra, rohu curry, chutney, papad, mishti.

Block: BG

Year: 29th

Budget: Rs 15 lakh

Location: BG community hall

The look: The pandal will resemble Lord Jagannath’s chariot but its exterior and interiors will be done up with bangles. Ten lakh multi-coloured glass bangles are being used here. The idols, their attire and jewellery will all be made of clay.

Fun funda: A senior citizen of the block will inaugurate the puja on Panchami. This will be followed by songs, dances, recitation and an audio drama Brishti Maney Bhalobasha. There will be a sit-and-draw programme for kids on Sashthi morning. The evening features a musical titled Durge Durgatinashini, audio drama Bhalobashar Buroburi and play Bibaha Bibhrat. On Saptami, there will be music and a dance item by women on 100 years of Indian cinema. Ashtami will see music, dance, a band performance, recitation by the group Udaan and a violin performance by resident Sunil Saha. The play Nalajatak will be staged and a quiz will be held on 100 years of Indian cinema. Navami will feature songs, dances, sitar recital by resident Santiranjan Sarkar, and two plays — Nana ranger din guli and Bhim Bodh. On Ekadashi residents will recite and perform Manoj Mitra’s Rajdarshan.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, beguni, labra, fulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, payesh, golap jam. Ashtami- luchi, chholar dal, Kashmiri alur dum, begun basanti, indrapuri (moog daler kochuri), paneer butter masala, chutney, papad, chhanar payesh. Navami- pulao, paneer pasinda, navratna curry, dhokar dalna, chhanar kalia, chutney, papad, malpoa, ice cream. Dashami- basmati rice, sukto, moog dal, alu bhaja, chhnyachra, doi pona, mutton kosha, chutney, papad, lyangcha, ice cream.

BH Block Pictures by Sanat Kumar Sinha

Block: BH

Year: 29th

Budget: Rs 22 lakh

Location: BH Park

The look: The pandal will tell the story of Banbibi through illustrations on 12 panels. On a big screen, a film will be projected using slides on and images of the Sunderbans and a tribal song on Banbibi. Though the forest goddess’s mount is tiger, the organisers are retaining the lion at Durga’s feet.

Fun funda: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt will inaugurate the puja on Sashthi. Residents will sing agomoni songs. Children of an AIWC-run school will present a show followed by song and dance by block kids. On Saptami, Sarmistha Mukherjee will sing Bengali modern songs followed by an audio drama titled Live Together. Next will be a children’s play Kanai-er Kirti, written by Satyajit Ray. Ray’s story Gagan Choudhury-r Studio will also be presented as an audio drama. Priyadarshini Singh will stage a dance item. Ashtami will start with Nazrulgeeti followed by dance by block women. Shree, a recitation group, will be up next after which ??? will present Swarnajuger Gaan. Navami will open with a magic show and ventriloquism. Kishore Kumar hits will be presented by Bapi Mukherjee.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, beguni, alu bhaja, papad, chutney, mishti. Ashtami- kochuri/ radhaballavi, Kashmiri alur dum, dhokar dalna, vegetable chop, payesh, sandesh. Navami- pulao, chhanar dalna, chholar dal, mutton, chutney, papad, mishti.

Block: BJ

Year: 30th

Budget: Rs 21 lakh

Location: BJ Park

The look: Dashaswamedh Ghat of Varanasi will be recreated. On a waterbody at the centre, boats and clay lamps will float like they do on the Ganga there. Various stalls will sell things typical of the holy city — paan, peda, jalebi, sari... Feel free to offer incense sticks or candles to the river at the designated spots.

Fun funda: Inauguration is at 7pm on Panchami followed by a programme by block kids. This year’s special attraction, Ganga arati by four Brahmins from Varanasi, will be held daily at 8.30pm. The evening will end with a song and poetry collage by the group Shri and bhatiali songs. On Sashthi, at 9am, a sit and draw will be held for children till Class XII at the community hall. At 7.15pm, Utsa, a cultural group, will stage a dance show on Varanasi followed by children’s dance and Odissi by Poulami Mondal and group. On Saptami there is a quiz for kids of Class IV to XII from 9am. At 6.30pm, Indrani Banerjee and Sudakshina Basu will sing. Next, there will be a debate on old age homes followed by a musical collage directed by Rajnarayan Bhattacharya and kathak by Amitabha Basu. On Ashtami at 6.30pm, Gopa Sanyal will sing, followed by the staging of Tagore’s Gandharir Abedan. A musical programme on Ganga will precede Bharatanatyam by Maitreyee Dutta and group and Ichchhey Udaan, a cultural extravaganza. Block women may sign up for a conch-blowing and ululation contest at 6.30pm on Navami. Songs by Anuradha Bala, Gouri Pal and Krishnakali Acharya will be followed by the comedy Baanprastha. Dhunuchi dance and an instrumental classical music show will wrap up the night.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, alur dum, chutney, payesh. Ashtami- luchi, begun bhaja, pulao, paneer butter masala, pantua. Navami- rice, dal, alu bhaja, mutton, fish kalia (for those who don’t take meat), chutney, rasogolla.

Block: BK

Year: 27th

Budget: Rs 30 lakh

Location: BK Park

The look: The pandal will resemble a temple in Bangalore. There will be two Mahishasuras at Durga’s feet — one green and one black. Otherwise, the idol will be traditional.

Fun funda: Actress Raima Sen, minister Madan Mitra and a monk from Ramakrishna Mission, Yogodyan, will inaugurate the puja on Panchami. Following this, children will put up dance items. Antakshari will take place on Sashthi morning. In the evening residents will sing, dance and recite after which an audio drama, sponsored by the Bidhannagar east police station, Ei purno poroshey will follow. There will also be a show on 100 years of Indian cinema. On Ashtami, residents will stage the play Manushey Manushey, followed by a guest performance by singer Sudeshna Ganguly. Navami morning will feature an adda with composer Kalyan Sen Barat, singer Manoj Murali Nair, author Tilottama Majumdar and former footballer Moidul Islam on the Pujas. Residents aged above 80 will also be felicitated. On Navami evening, Shoojit Sircar, director of films like Vicky Donor and a resident of the adjacent BL Block, will be felicitated. Singer Kunal Ganjawala will take stage thereafter.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, beguni, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, dal, alur dum, alu paneer, chutney, mishti, payesh. Navami- rice, sukto, rohu curry, potol-chingri, chutney, payesh. Dashami- fish fry, pulao, mutton, chutney, mishti.

Block: BL

Year: 27th

Budget: Rs 6.5 lakh

Location: BL Park

The look: The Kedarnath temple will be replicated with statues of Shiva and Krishna inside. The idol will be ekchala with daker saaj.

Fun funda: The puja will be inaugurated on Panchami, followed by agomoni songs and a children’s dance show. Youngsters will present fusion music and a play Bajra Badhon Phoshka Gero. Sashthi will begin with a musical show named Rabi Baul, weaving Tagore songs and baul music. There will also be skits and recitation. A dance item on Tagore and Paras Muni, a play by block women, will follow. On Saptami puja songs will be performed in a show titled Ananda dhara bohichhe bhubane. There will be modern songs by guests Prakriti and Satabdi Chatterjee. Guest artistes Jagannath and Urmimala Basu will stage an audio drama. Koushiki Bhattacharya will sing modern songs. On Ashtami, there will be Rabindrasangeet, recitation, a dance piece named Utsaver chhoa by block women and a medley of three rib-tickling audio drama pieces. Guest artiste Samik Pal will sing. Navami will start with patriotic songs. Guests Kumar Shankar Sadhu and Rajat Subhra Chatterjee will recite while Bhavana dance group will present a show on Durga and social issues.

Food fiesta: Ashtami- khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad, mishti. Navami- rice, dal, alu bhaja, pulao, chilli paneer, chutney, papad, mishti.

Block: CA

Year: 35th

Budget: Rs 10 lakh

Location: The garden behind CA community hall

The look: The approach to the mandap will resemble the courtyard of a zaminar house and the idol will be traditional with daker saaj.

Fun funda: Singer Swagata-laxmi Dasgupta will inaugurate the puja on Panchami and perform thereafter. Residents will perform the audio drama Noti Binodini. On Dwadashi meritorious students will be awarded and women will stage the comedy Srimati Bhayankari. On Trayodashi, children will enact Manoj Mitra’s Nekre.

Food fiesta: Saptami- rice, machher matha diye badhakopi, fish kalia, chutney, papad, mishti. Vegetarians will be served tarkari. Ashtami- luchi, alur dum, dhokar dalna, payesh, mishti, ice cream. Navami- rice, dal, bhaja, tarkari, mutton, papad, chutney, sweet. Dashami- khichuri, labra, alu bhaja, kumro bhaja, laddu, chutney, papad.

Block: CB

Year: 34th

Budget: Rs 7 lakh

Location: CB Block community hall

The look: The mandap would be traditional and the idol would be ekchala in daker saaj.

CJ Block

Fun funda: On Panchami, block president Ramen Das would inaugurate the puja followed by agomoni songs and stotrapath. On Sashthi, children will stage Bharate Chai. It would be followed by two scripted-musical items, Debi Vandana, directed by Ramjibon Bhattacharya, and Satya Bhagawan, directed by R.P. Bhattacharya. On Saptami, senior citizens would stage the comedy Buro Burir Adikhyeta, directed by Manjusri Dutta. Children will perform a dance recital Colours of India, directed by Moumita Saha. Ashtami is reserved for contemporary dance group Chhadmabashi. On Navami an in-house band would perform. This would be followed by residents staging Dhishum Dhishum, directed by Diptendu Banerjee.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, tarkari, chutney, payesh. Ashtami- khichuri, tarkari, chutney, payesh. Navami- rice, dal, begun bhaja, pulao, dhokar dalna, chutney. Dashami- baby naan, dal, vegetable fried rice, vegetable manchurian, alur dum, doi bora, chutney, papad, misthi.

Block: CD

Year: 37th

Budget: Rs 9 lakh

Location: CD Park

The look: The pandal will resemble a pagoda but the idol is traditional.

Fun funda: Councillor Tulsi Sinha Roy will inaugurate the puja on Sashthi. Kids will be free to perform whatever they wish that evening and then a guest group will enact Shah Jahan. On Saptami, children will dance and women will present a musical collage titled Prithibi Abar Santo Hok. Children can take part in a sit-and-draw contest on Ashtami morning. Elderly women of the block will present a musical programme named Phirey Dekha that evening. There will be dance items too. On Navami, kathak and musical items will precede children’s play Bharatey Chai.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, bhaja, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, alur dum, dhokar dalna, mishti. Navami- either fried rice or pulao, paneer, tarkari, chutney, payesh.

Block: CE

Year: 34th

Budget: Rs 4.5 lakh

Location: CE Block community hall

The look: The mandap and idol are traditional.

Fun funda: On Sashthi, governor M.K. Narayanan would inaugurate the puja. This would be followed by agamoni songs by residents, directed by Arpita Roy. Children would stage Bok Rakshas directed by Sarbani Banerjee. On Saptami, residents would present a scripted musical item directed by Madhurima Sen. On Ashtami, residents would stage the audio drama Mahabharat and a dance drama. On Navami, Arjoob Sen and Soutrik Chowdhury will present tabla lahora. Next up is children’s dance drama Tomebo Paromeshwari, directed by Indrani Pathak.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- fried rice/luchi, chholar dal, alur dum, navaratna korma, chutney, papad, mishti. Navami- pulao, dal, paneer, vegetable chop, dhokar dalna chutney, papad, mishti.

CF Block Picture: Mayukh Sengupta

Block: CF

Year: 35th

Budget: Rs 10 lakh

Location: CF Park

The look: The pandal will be shaped like a giant bird cage and will be covered with colourful recycled paper. Artificial birds will be perched on the window-like openings made by bamboo sticks and the sound system will emit chirps round the clock. Artiste Shibaji De is in charge of the pandal as well as the idol, which will be traditional but the chala behind will be done up with recycled paper.

Fun funda: The puja will be inaugurated on Panchami by a monk from Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Music by residents will follow. On Sashthi women will put up a musical programme titled Sarad Shiuli. A dance drama based on Durga, Donujdoloni, will be put up by Salt Lake-based group Shilpi Tirtha. On Saptami, residents will put up a dance collage Pujar Arghyo and then the play Shubho 24 November Bibaho. Ashtami will see solo dances and an audio drama by women, Pronoy Bibhrat. Guest folk singer Debopriya will perform on Navami and then in-house rock band Blood Decibel will perform.

Food fiesta: Saptami- khichuri, labra, beguni, tarkari, chutney, payesh, mishti. Ashtami- luchi, chholar dal, dhokar dalna, alur dum, chutney, payesh, mishti. Navami- pulao, navratna korma, dhokar dalna, chutney, payesh, mishti.

(Look out for the rest of the block pujas next Friday)