The news that the Durga puja festival contributes to a substantial part of the GDP is well known. It is Rs.32,377 crores and 2.39 % of the state’s GDP, more and cannot be less.
Earlier, the pujas were a four to a five-day religious affair, the crowds usually the maximum during Ashtami and Navami days. Durga Puja now begins with Mahalaya day itself, with the inauguration of idols, pandals et al. and stretches to almost eleven or twelve days. Then there could be another waiver for immersion in case of important pujas followed by a parade of tableaus for the VVIPs. I haven’t been to one and cannot say if the Chief Guest takes a salute from the passing deities!
Pujas are also transforming to convey political thoughts, from displaying footwear in the portrayal of the plight of the farmers, etc. I’m happy though that none braved bringing in a few bulls to the pandal instead. The CM endeared by the clubs for the cash sops is portrayed in a few pandals and hailed as the ‘Modishahsura’ Mardini!
Be that as it may, I come to another topic always written about. Many always take a dig about the lack of industries or new investments in the state, notwithstanding the periodical ‘lakhs of crores in the pipeline’ claims by the state finance minister. Bengal could cash on the Durga Puja festivities, which are not merely religious but also a socio-cultural event. There could be pageants and parades, homestay for the tourists, offering a taste of poppyseeds-on-potatoes, or mustard paste and fish.
The cultural depth of the state has been triggered like never before. If a former mayor and his lady friend can sing and dance for public viewing, a sunglass prettified former minister and MLA has carried dancing and singing to even greater heights. The number of singers, dancers and actors in the governing party could sweat unease with the newer competition.
Realizing the prospects of singing and dancing as the top money-spinner for the state, the CM herself broke into singing at a recent pandal inauguration, a group of professional singers around her lifting the levels in chorus whenever her voice cracked. I cannot say if the others’ singing, drowning their leader’s voice, was to safeguard hers or to drown a recently defected and noted singer from the opposition camp, who was also present.
I guess we should not be apologetic about anyone taunting us with a lack of industry. No one in India can sing Rabindra Sangeet so emotionally as a Bengali does. None can dance so passionately as our homegrown clan, be it Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, rap or breakdance, the last as often seen in the annual college meets. We must cultivate to build a few more Rabindra Bharati (Not Vishwa Bharati!) to promote performing arts. People contesting elections could compulsorily undergo an audition or a performance test!
I’m sure Bengal will belie all naysayers and doomsayers to grow as the ‘most beneficent and the most merciful’ state in India in the coming days!
Happy Sapthami!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
