Kolkata: Red Road erupts in jubilation as carnival brings down curtains

KOLKATA: The

Red Road Pujor Carnival

took on the milieu of inclusiveness, diversity and integration even as it celebrated Bengal’s culture and heritage, this year’s theme being ‘

Rangamaatir Bangla

’. As 72

prize-winning idols

from across Kolkata rolled down Red Road for

immersion

in the Hooghly, an extravaganza was held, showcasing gorgeous theme installations, dazzling Durga idols and energetic song-and-dance recitals that represented the region’s biggest festival in all its colours and grandeur.


In the presence of

governor

Jagdeep Dhankar—this is the first time that the governor attended the carnival—the idols,

tableaux

and performers passed by over four-and-a-half hours to the relentless beating of dhak and conch shells that recreated the festive mood one last time this year. The spectacle sponsored by the state government signalled the conclusion of the festivities in style in the presence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and a host of ministers, celebrities, bureaucrats and foreigners.

The stand-out themes of the evening were those that depicted the refugee issue, called for the need to travel alone (ekla cholo re) and stressed on the importance of Bengali (Bangla bhuli ki kore). They rubbed shoulders with themes depicting temples, palaces, conservation and tolerance.

The grand procession was flagged off by policemen performing acrobatics on bikes, dressed as Shiva and Durga. A couple even rode a bike in dhoti-kurta, carrying dhunuchis. They were followed by actor-turned-MP Nusrat Jahan in a red saree, accompanied by husband Nikhil Jain in dhoti-kurta. Nusrat was the centre of the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club march and performed a cameo dance that drew a loud applause from the audience and the chief minister. Sree Bhumi’s theme props depicting Maurya architecture made for a breathtaking display.

North Kolkata’s Kashi Bose Lane, too, stood out with its message for the need of water conservation, while Ekdalia Evergreen broke away from the Bengal cultural feel to stage a pulsating Rajasthani dance. Nawpara Dada-Bhai Sangha marched with a group of senior citizens on wheelchairs, prompting Mamata Banerjee to climb down from the dais and greet them.

If Jagat Mukherjee Park’s installations depicting the ghats of Varanasi made for a stunning show, Hindustan Park drew applause for its schowcasing of the Adivasi culture. Chorbagan Sarbajanin turned the clock back and made the audience delve into nostalgia through a dance performance to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay’s ‘Runner’ song. A palatial mansion accompanied the colourful procession of Hatibagan Sarbojanin. College Square’s traditional idol was taken down the road, accompanied by the replica of Umed Bhavan of Rajasthan. Performers danced to ‘Ogo Maa’, a song dedicated to the Goddess and Bengal.

Ahiritola Sarbojanin displayed its Durga idol carved out of a one-and-half tonne stone. It also showcased a Gujarat temple as its theme. Suruchi Sangha—the top-draw at New Alipore—had youngsters dancing to its theme song, penned by the chief minister and sung by Shreya Ghoshal. Tridhara Sammilani off Rashbehari Avenue, too, presented an energetic song-and-dance performance with actor Deblina Kumar leading the troupe. Convergence of modernity and tradition was the Chetla Agrani Club’s theme as the participants carried vintage items, along with modern gadgets, as props.