KOLKATA: The international recognition of intangible cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco to Kolkata's Durga Puja has inspired a few committees this year to keep their themes in line with the inscription.
The theme of Chaltabagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee is celebration of life and their puja 'mandap' and idol will have a touch of folk arts like Koodiyattam, Chhau, Kalbelia that have also got the Unesco recognition. The theme of Dum Dum Tarun Dal is 'City of Joy,' where the transformation of the city, its other intangible heritage, festivities will be focussed, along with a tribute to Kumartuli artisans, without whom Durga Puja is incomplete.
Samaj Sebi Sangha is recreating their maiden puja, which took place in the backdrop of 1946 Calcutta Killings. They feel that it is important to highlight the instances of harmony when Durga Puja has been awarded the tag because the divides of class, religion and caste blur during the festivities.
