Idols in tricolour hues to deck Attarsuiya Barwari’s Puja pandal

ALLAHABAD: Giving traditional decoration ideas a miss, Attarsuiya Barwari, one of the oldest in the city, would pay homage to the Armymen martyred in Pulwama attack with its Durga Puja pandal this year.
With nationalism as its theme, the pandal would feature idols draped in clothes in the tricoulour’s hues instead of the traditional attire.
“We would be paying homage to martyrs of the Pulwama attack with our pandal.Artist Ankur Verma has been working on the idols since the past few day and the idols would be wearing clothes in the colours of the national flag,” said Ashish Banerjee, one of the associates of the barwari.
Counted among the oldest barwaris in Allahabad, Attarsuiya Barwari was established in 1882 by a group of 25 Bengali families who had migrated to the city. Over the years the numbers swelled as more Bengalis joined the barwari, but by the 70s it had started declining.
Banerjee said that though the number of Bengali members might have gone down, but at the same time the number of non-Bengali patrons has increased.
“Currently, the barwari has only 15 Bengali families as its member. Many of its members are traders from Chowk and adjoining areas, and even some from the Muslim community,” said Banerjee.
The pandal’s organisers also said that they would be using eco-friendly materials for decoration.
“The jewellery for the idols is being made from clay, which will be painted golden,” said Ankur Verma, the artist designing the pandal.
Verma and his team would be using sustainable options like ice-cream sticks, paper cups and pattal (plates made of leaves) for decoration.
The organisers said that the move was aimed at making the public aware about the importance of environmental conservation.