Cuttack's Choudhury Bazar Durga Puja Committee plans to replace silver tableau with gold

CUTTACK: Choudhury Bazar, which had introduced the silver tableau in Cuttack, and is now planning to replace it with gold next year.
The committee is the trendsetter in the use of silver and gold in the tableau. In 1956, it became the first committee to install a tableau made of silver filigree. Later, it had crowns and ornaments made of gold for all its deities, including Mahisashur.
Every year, devotees donate gold and silver.The committee stocked up on the gold and used it to decorate the tableau.
“The artist has been assigned to make two more gold ‘kalika’ (the top half of the tableau) weighing 2kg. As the intricate gold work takes place, we have decided to introduce it next Dussehra,” said Purna Singh, secretary, Choudhury Bazar Durga Puja committee, one of the oldest pujas in the city.
Earlier, nine gold kalikas, including the Om sign above, were installed in the tableau, after addition of two more, a total of 11 kalikas will be deck up the tableau next year, said Singh. The unique intrinsic art of silver filigree was showcased in the 2.5 quintal silver and gold tableau here, added Singh.
“In 2001, we made gold ornaments for all deities, including Mahisasura. All deities along with Durga were completely decked with golden crowns, necklaces and other ornaments,” said committee member Ranjeet Mallick.