Sribhumi Sporting is known to come with one of the most extravagant pandals every year. This year was no exception. Rather the club went a step ahead and used artistic gold jewellery for ornamentation of Goddess Durga. The pandal resembled the Jagannath temple and it was hard to believe that this was a temporary structure made only for a week. The sculpture on the walls were minute and intricate. The ceiling was occupied by a huge chandelier. Like every year the Idol of Goddess Durga was a speechless creation.

Dumdum Park Yubak Brinda was celebrating its 50th year of Durga Puja this year. In this moment of joy, they chose “Freedom” as their 2016 theme. Freedom or Mukti has different meaning to different sections of the society, to different age groups. While for a kid, freedom means, respite from school and a chance to enjoy vacations, for someone old it means a break from mundane routine. Maa Durga this year symbolized the freedom for all. The idol with a white feathered wing depicted the message of freedom. Overall the shape of the pandal resembled spread out wings. Innovative creativity was used to resemble the wings of different sizes. “Freedom” was echoing from every section of the pandal.

Filigree (also spelled as filagree) is a form of intricate jewelry metal work. Typically this is done with gold and silver with minute beads, metal works, threads all used to weld against each other and forming patterns. Although it has a Greek connection, in India the tarakasi form of filigree is popular in Orissa and silver filigree of Karimnagar is also very famous. Bharat Chakra’s pandal was literally a certificate course on the variety in fliagree. The entrance was a grand display of a peacock. The side walls were a phenomenal display of filagree embroidery. The centre of the pandal was also a display of filagree work. Maa Durga had a golden finish and the ornaments were also made using filagree style. Overall an absolutely standout performance from Bharat Chakra.

Dumdum Park Tarun Sangha’s pandal was all about “asura nash” - destruction of evil and welcoming the goodness in all of us. The entrance to the pandal was colourful which reflected celebration of departure of evil. Spread out colourful umbrellas in the ceiling, in the adjoining lakes all reflected that joy of demolition of evil. The interior of the pandal was about creating that platform for destruction of evil. Maa Durga was in the apt mood. The ceiling was with a mix of chakra, trishula and kharas (all the ashtras or weapons of devi Durga). The circumference of the pandal was surrounded by evil but Durga at the centre of it was determined to its removal.

Jawpur Byam Samity, an erstwhile Asian Paints Sharad Shamman winner (2006) had a relatively simpler display this year. Sometimes clubs who once were amongst glory fade due to lack of funds (or manpower). However the pandal looked nice with a detailed work of terracota diyas. The idol was contemporary and the interior of the pandal was made of colourful terracotta lamps.

Laketown’s Natun Pally Pradip Sangha has won Asian Paints thrice in the past. Over the last couple of years the concepts have not been in tradition with the amazing creations it had in the past. This years theme was Bijmata and the artist was Partha Roy. The surrounding across the pandal depicted the importance of grains, germination and life. Durga here was a symbol of these, hence she is the Bijmata.

Ultadanga Yubak Brinda like every year had a fantastic presentation inspite of having space constraints. This year theme as Pushpanjali. As one enters the pandal premises, the theme becomes very clear with the ambience and symbols around (trinayan, puja ghat, shamiyana, pradip and the alta ranga hands). Chandan Pal and Anik Decorators were in charge of the pandal while the idol was created by Sanatan Pal. New Sony Electric and Guddu created the illumination and lightings. Shatadru gave the background score.

By the standards of Karbagan, this year's presentation was average. The finishing of the pandal looked good from a distance but the finish could have been better as one observes closely. Even the Durga idol was too experimental in nature. A winner of 3 Asian Paints Sharad Shamman in the past, will look forward to a better creativity in 2017.

Maa aschen, porlo shara |

Sajlo ronge, gota para ||

Rongin putul, alor mela |

Asche raat jagar pala ||

Ultadangar chotto goli |

Sharate jeno hochhe holi ||

Bachha buror dhol nemeche |

Mone khushir gaan bejeche ||

Gota pallir shree fireche |

Ronger melay Maa eseche ||

Ultadanga Pallysree have grabbed attention of Kolkata puja lovers over the past few years. This year was no exception. Manas Roy was the creator of the theme. The ambience was all about happiness. The pandal area which is a narrow lane made use of the adjoining buildings. The artist (as expressed in the above Bengali poem) showcased a Pallysree where everyone young or old are very happy with the festive spirits. Thus the entire para has become colourful like the colours of Holi. Along with the happy feelings are great music and the atmosphere of sharatkaal. Amongst all these has arrived Maa Durga.The background score was provided by Kalika Prasad (from the band Dohar).

Handfans, paper glass and cotton hats were used to draw colourful patterns in the premises of Ultadanga Bidhan Sangha. Although the finishing was a bit amateurish and not as sharp as Telengabagan or Pallyshree, but the colourful representation made the pandal look fabulous. The idol was also created in the same spirit.