At the Aarjunpur Amara Sobai Club's pujo pandal in North Kolkata, artist Bhabatosh Sutar breaks all conventions of theme-based pandals to present Durga as one among ordinary women folk, as a daily wager.
Rising unemployment and widespread allegations of corruption against the BJP government in the state have made calls for anti-incumbency louder. However, no clear opposition to replace the ruling party is currently in sight.
From a way of showing off family wealth to the British to standing in as an icon of the freedom movement and now with UNESCO's Cultural Heritage tag, the festival has had quite the journey.
The tramway, a sustainable, emission-free, cheap and effective means of mass transportation, last received an investment intended to upgrade its services 41 years ago. Now it is known only for its heritage value.
In a circumstance where one side controls institutions like the media, police and other organs of the state, the success of a movement rests on developing creative means of breaking through the government’s control over institutions.