Sex workers with an unfinished clay idol of Goddess Durga as they unveil it for the upcoming Durga Puja festival at Kumartuli studio in Kolkata.
Credit: PTI Photo
Twenty-four crowdpuller community Durga Pujas of Kolkata have been selected by UNESCO for the ‘Preview Show’ ahead of the largest festival of West Bengal, organisers said on Wednesday. Two 'bonedi barir puja' (household pujas) have also been chosen for the Preview Show.
The UNESCO’s Preview Show to be held at the Town Hall here will enable viewers to have a symbolic glimpse of the unique features of the pandal, idols and overall decorations.
Kolkata’s Durga Puja was accorded UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) tag in 2021.
The five-day event ahead of the Durga Puja will be held from October 11 to 15. It is aimed at creating a space for the audience to appreciate the artistry before they are officially opened to the public.
A city-based social and cultural organisation, ‘massArt’, has joined hands with UNESCO and British Council to host the pre-puja event which will be attended by diplomats, tourists and art lovers.
Those attending the event will have a special opportunity to visit the actual pandals before they are opened.
The Durga Puja festival will be held between October 20 and 24.
“Our goal is to promote Durga Puja as the largest art festival of the world since we believe this spectacle is one-of-its-kind in the world,” massArt vice-president Sayantan Maitra said.
Kashi Bose Lane Puja Committee is one of the 24 that has been selected for the preview.
"We are proud to be considered by UNESCO for the Preview Show. We will seek to highlight the uniqueness of Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata and Bengal, its heritage and culture, the inclusiveness of the celebrations with the emphasis on aesthetics," Somen Dutta, General Secretary of the puja committee said.