Dhwani installation unveiled at Tridhara Akalbodhan during Durga Puja

Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations entered a new dimension of art and innovation recently with the unveiling of Dhwani—a monumental installation by artist Shilo Shiv Suleman. Curated by Myna Mukherjee, the transnational arts and rights organization, the work is showcased at the iconic Tridhara Akalbodhan pandal designed by artist Gouranga Kuila. The installation was inaugurated by Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee.

Weighing 150 kg and standing 12 feet tall, Dhwani is a brass sculpture that embodies the Kundalini Shakti—the primordial energy of Goddess Durga, believed to reside within every individual. Its serpentine form not only honors Bengal’s layered traditions, blending Mughal and European influences with contemporary idioms, but also highlights the enduring vitality of India’s pluralist heritage.
The piece draws on Suleman’s collaboration with Jaipur’s Lohar community, master artisans of metalwork, whose centuries-old craft finds new resonance in this luminous form. Originally conceived as an interactive work with 14 motion sensors triggering sound and light, the Kolkata version has been adapted to local conditions, with the full interactive presentation slated for exhibition in the coming months.

“Dhwani is where the primordial energy of the Goddess meets contemporary innovation—an India both ancient and futuristic,” said Suleman. Curator Myna Mukherjee added, “Durga Puja is one of the world’s most powerful cultural platforms. With Dhwani, we wanted to expand its scope as a space where heritage, technology, gender, and community converge.”