Big league pandals vie for TOI

KOLKATA: It is Bengal's biggest festival and the UCO Bank The Times of India Sharod Sreshtho 2009 awards are back to honour the creativity of artisans and enterprise of community Durga puja organizers who work tirelessly for months to put up shows that mesmerize millions.
The second edition of Sharod Sreshtho has already sparked tremendous enthusiasm with over 150 puja organizers already submitting contest forms to vie for the awards in four categories best puja, best idol, best lighting and best theme.
Several big-draw pujas like Suruchi Shangha, Behala Club, Santoshpur Lake Palli, Badamtala Ashar Sangha, Naktala Udayan Sangha, Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha, Chaltabagan Loha Patti, Ahiritola, Kasi Bose Lane, Ballygunge Cultural, Adi Ballygunge, Tridhara Sammelani and 66 Palli have logged in early for this year's edition of Sharod Sreshtho. From Salt Lake, pujas at Laboni, FD, DE, BJ and AG blocks have sent in entries.
From over 1,000 pujas that are expected to participate in the contest, 450 will be shortlisted on the basis of details submitted in the form, including the concept behind the puja. Thereafter, professors from Rabindra Bharati Art College will tour the pandals for the preliminary round of judging on Chaturthi, September 22. By the end of the day, the numbers will be pruned to 50 pujas. On Panchami, September 23, another round of judging will be carried out by the professors and artists to set the stage for a contest between the top-10.
On Sashthi, September 24, the 10 pujas will vie for the coveted awards. Ten celebrities will visit the pandals to take the call on which is the best of them all. While there are three prizes each for the pujas adjudged first, second and third in Shrestho Puja and Shrestho Idol categories and one each for Sreshtho Lighting and Shrestho Theme.
There are five judges choice awards too. Altogether, Rs 2 lakh will be disbursed as prize money in the contest.
Last year, Tridhara Sammilani, Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha, Babubagan Sarbojanin, Suruchi Sangha and Behala Nutan Dal had bagged the top honours followed by Jodhpur Park Saradiya Utsab Committee, Kumartuli Park Sarbojanin, Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha, Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durgapuja Committee, College Square Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee, Kumartuli Park Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee, Mudiali Club, Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav Samity, Behala Club and Bosepukur Sitalamandir Durgotsav Committee.