This is the first year that Durga Puja is being celebrated under a BJP government in West Bengal, and, as every year, the themes of Durga Puja pandals are unique. This year, one pandal has adopted a theme that subtly portrays Hindutva ideology by depicting the story of the Chhattisgarh-based Hindu community, the Ramnami Samaj.
The community is known for a unique practice: its members have the name of Lord Ram tattooed on their bodies. The practice began in the 1980s as a peaceful protest after members of the community were denied entry into a local temple.
The launch of a Durga Puja pandal theme at a five-star hotel was unusual as well. The event was organised by the Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee, which primarily comprises businessmen from the wholesale market of Burrabazar. Members of the Ramnami Samaj were invited to unveil this year's theme, ‘Nishan – The Mark’, along with a theme song of the same name.
“We spoke to the community about the theme. The Prime Minister too has met the community because of their devotion to Lord Ram. This theme will be very well accepted, we are sure about it,” said Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman of Chaltabagan Durga Puja.
The theme song has been composed by Grammy Award winner and Padma Bhushan recipient Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, along with his son and grandson. It took five days to compose the song, which blends the essence of Durga Puja with ‘Mahishasura Mardini’, a devotional song sung to mark the beginning of the festival on Mahalaya.
“The composition is according to the spirit of what should encompass the spirit of Durga Puja. The music is exciting, has a fast rhythm, and to create that, the use of tabla and drums has been incorporated,” said Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, who won the Grammy Award in 1994 for his album ‘A Meeting by the River’.
“I was happy it was given to Indian music and that Indian music was recognised at the highest level in the world,” he said.
Members of the Ramnami Samaj who were present at the event said they wanted to spread a message of peace and unity, and this is their way of taking that forward through Durga Puja.
“We are happy the Ramnami community was brought here and given respect. Whatever is happening is by the grace of Ramnami,” said Gulal Ramnami.
“We are happy to come here and that they (the Puja committee) met our community. All communities should co-exist in peace and brotherhood,” said Seth Bai, another member of the Ramnami Samaj.
A Durga Puja Connect app is also set to be launched soon, enabling people across the world to virtually witness Durga Puja pandals across the state at their fingertips.
The Chaltabagan Durga Puja committee has not disclosed a budget for constructing the pandal centred around the Ramnami theme. The committee said businessmen with shops in the locality contribute materials for the pandal, describing the contributions as a symbol of communal bonding.
Durga Puja was on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. With the BJP government not only taking over the reins of West Bengal but also becoming increasingly visible in Durga Puja committees, there is already a noticeable change in the buzz surrounding traditional Durga Puja pandals.
