Kolkata: Some Puja organizers in the city have been hanging out on those who struggle to survive in the post-pandemic period by knocking their talents and giving them jobs and businesses related to puja.
Someone even designed his theme as an award to their idol makers who died of Covid last year.
Tarun Fish seller (57), better known as ‘Dukhe Da’ in the Beztacha Bazar Behala area, is responsible for the decoration of the Pandal Nutan Mutan Sangha this year.
Bera, an artist, has struggled to keep his business float after a pandemic and support his family.
He has employed 10 workers with Rs 500 per day for the last 34 days to decorate a pandal, based on the theme ‘Adhuna’ (last time depiction) which was completed on Thursday.
Coconut has been used to provide a unique design panda.
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The owner of Kashi Bose Lane in Kolkata Utara, has supported the Puja vendor, such as an electrician, sound artist, labor, and priest, involving them in preparation for Puja since Poila Baisakh.
In their 84th year, they have designed their pandal on the theme ‘apurna’ (imbalance in perfection).
Each vendor receives Rs 50,000-Rs 75,000 as a down payment between April to July.
“These people are now part of our extended family,” said Somen Dutta, Secretary General of the Puja Committee.
The Committee spends the RS 15 Lakh to make payments in advance and reduce this year’s budget to RS 28 Lakh.
Bandhmahal Club Aswininagar in Baguihati has named the ‘Arun’ theme to pay homage to Sculptor Arun Paul, an award-winning idol maker, who died in 2020 during the first Covid wave.
“As an artist, this is my sincere award to other artists,” Samrat Bhattacharyya, who was in charge of designing a pandal, some other Puja organizers supported disadvantaged.
Haridevpur 41 Pally will help artist Patachitra Pingla and Bhawanipore 75 Palli will provide financial assistance to the Chhau family of Charida artists in Purulia.