বাংলায় পড়ুন
Theme Durga Pujas has been an ongoing practice among Durga Puja organizers in Bengal. This year, the theme for Mitra Sanhati’s pandal was ‘Note-bandi na Manush Bandi’ which roughly translates to ‘demonetization or public trap’.
The organizers of the puja, like thousands across West Bengal, had sent a letter to Smt. Mamata Banerjee, informing her about the theme and inviting her to visit their pandal. The letter they received was signed by the chief minister herself on her official letterhead, which contained a couplet written by her: “Maa Aschen Siuli Bhore…Sankha Bajuk Ghore Ghore”.
Organisers said that the 55 ft x 20 ft pandal, built on a budget of Rs 11 lakh, will feature an “artistic representation” of demonetisation and the need for money. They have roped in a professional for the job, who has been staying in the neighbourhood and working there for the past two months.
A dilapidated house with a 20 ft tall ‘money tree’ had been created inside the pandal. The leaves were replicas of the banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
“Surrounding the tree are frames with figures of people of different professions, age and gender. The aim is to portray man’s desire for money, but trapped in the frame. Though the money tree is close at hand, it is out of reach,” said Prasenjit Haldar, the creator of the theme.
