Creative themes during Durga Puja, usually associated with big clubs and associations across the city, have now made their way into gated communities too. Several housing complexes have decided to celebrate the festival around a theme to introduce novelty and increased participation.
Silver Oak Estate, ( Kali Park, Rajarhat Main Road) has been hosting the auspicious festival for last 7 years, with each year surpassing the previous in grandeur and devotion. We are embarking into the 8th year of the journey of festivity. This year the theme of our puja is JHANKA (A deep, cylindrical vessel made of bamboo or rattan used for carrying goods) and how the humans strive to minimize their labour. From one jhanka to another jhanka, the cycle continues as people carry their burdens. Today, the delivery boys are the modern-day carriers of the jhanka, symbolizing the toil of the labouring class.
The beautifully crafted idol of Goddess Durga was the centrepiece of our celebration, radiating an aura of divine grace and power is being crafted by celebrated artist Pradeep Rudra Pal.
Amit Mukhopadhyay of Silver Oak Estate, said “Following behind the gentleman, the jhanka roams the market or rests in shops. It may rest on the head of a labourer, or adorn the head of a respected individual, carrying important documents as they board a train. Everything is the miracle of the jhanka. As time has changed, the jhanka too has transformed, firmly holding the hand of civilization, finding its place in the backpacks of people. Instead of people going to the market, the market comes to their homes. Door-to-door delivery in a single breath. “
He added, ” The form of the jhanka has changed. It hasn’t altered the struggle of people’s lives. The life that originates from the Mother, from her contribution. That’s why in this year’s Mother’s worship, we will embrace the jhanka and bring it to our maternal altar. We are the children of the Mother. The new carriers of the jhanka, with backpacks and bikes, ride along with time, gliding from one door to another, keeping life in motion. Let their ongoing labour and history be written in the hall of their mother’s worship.”
