Kolkata: As Kolkata prepares to welcome Goddess Durga, Hazra Park Durgotsab is set to celebrate its 84th year with an evocative theme, “Chirayat – The Roots of Bengal: Rooted in the Past, Infinite in Consciousness.” The theme pays tribute to Bengal’s timeless traditions, craftsmanship and folk-art heritage that have shaped the region’s cultural identity across generations.
“Chirayat” explores the enduring relationship between Bengal’s past and its evolving cultural consciousness. The concept reflects on how traditions continue to survive and evolve even as time and civilizations change, finding expression through festivals, rituals, beliefs and everyday life.
The artistic vision for this year’s presentation has been brought to life by renowned artist and idol maker Sri Biman Saha, who has designed both the pandal and the idol with a focus on Bengal’s traditional artistic vocabulary. His work seeks to create an immersive experience that allows visitors to reconnect with the roots, textures and visual traditions of Bengal through a contemporary interpretation.
The pandal will showcase a vibrant range of Bengal’s folk and traditional art forms, featuring handcrafted wooden dolls, intricate Dokra metal craft, terracotta and other indigenous artistic traditions. Together, these elements will create a visual narrative celebrating Bengal’s cultural identity and the craftsmanship of its artisan communities.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Sayan Deb Chatterjee, Joint Secretary, Hazra Park Durgotsab Committee, said, “With ‘Chirayat’, we wanted to take people back to the roots of Bengal – to the soil, the traditions and, most importantly, the hands of the artisans who have kept our cultural heritage alive for generations.”
He added that the theme aims to highlight the stories, memories, beliefs and identity embedded in Bengal’s folk arts while encouraging visitors to value and preserve the human craftsmanship behind these traditions.
At the centre of this artistic landscape, Goddess Durga is envisioned as a symbol of creativity, craftsmanship, tradition and the dignity of human labour. Her presence connects the spiritual essence of Durga Puja with Bengal’s artistic heritage while encouraging younger generations to recognise and carry forward the traditions passed down through generations.
Over the years, Hazra Park Durgotsab has developed a distinctive identity through themes that combine contemporary storytelling with social, cultural and human narratives. Its 84th edition continues this tradition by placing Bengal’s folk art and artisan communities at the heart of its artistic expression.
Through “Chirayat – The Roots of Bengal: Rooted in the Past, Infinite in Consciousness,” Hazra Park Durgotsab invites visitors to experience Durga Puja not only as a celebration of faith but also as a journey through Bengal’s cultural memory — its soil, artisans, traditions and enduring artistic spirit.
The 84th edition of Hazra Park Durgotsab brings together devotion, craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, offering visitors an opportunity to rediscover Bengal’s artistic heritage and celebrate the enduring power of human creativity.