Durga Puja Carnival, a spectacle to behold
After 2 years Kolkata Mega Carnival 2022 started as scheduled. Durga Puja committees from North Kolkata, South Kolkata and Salt Lake are participating in the carnival. Tableaus have been arranged by various puja committees keeping in tune with the theme. The Chief Minister played Kansar-Kartal-Dhak, and Mamata Banerjee herself danced to the beat. To start the carnival, the Chief Minister got down from the car and proceeded on foot towards the Red Road accompanied bythe police officers in charge. The event began with a dance performance to Dikshamanjari, a song written by the Chief Minister.
Jungle Kanya was the theme of Rammohan Sammilani’s tableau. An Adivasi woman stood in front of the tableau and playing the dhaak. At the same time Mamata Banerjee also played the dhaak from the stage. Besides, the chief minister joined hands and danced along with the tribal women to a Santali song. MLAs Aditi Munshi, Raj Chakraborty, Kanchan Mallick were seen beside Mamata Banerjee. Television stars like Rithika Sen, Trina Saha, June Mallya were also seen on the carnival stage. Swastika Mukherjee was also seen walking in front of the tableau of the Dakshinpara Sarvajan Durgotsava Committee.
Puja committees like Chetla Agrani, Sinhi Park, Chakraberia, Babubagan, Dum Dum Tarun Dal, College Square arranged the tableau in keeping with the theme. Ankush-Aindrila couple was seen dancing at the carnival with Sreebhoomi’s tableau. Dhaak, garba dance, dhamsa-madal all mingled together in the puja carnival. All in all, the carnival of Puja is becoming colourful. The 43-feet idol of North Tala Pratya was sacrificed at Mandapei on Friday. But they made a fiber idol for the carnival. Gujarat’s garba dance was performed by Chakrabariya Sarvajanin. The tableau of the South Kolkata Universal Durgotsava Committee, which won the Best of Biswa Bangla Sera, was also in line with the theme.
Thousands of people thronged Red Road to watch the carnival. Due to this, the traffic has been controlled. From 2 pm until the end of the carnival, traffic is completely closed off at the Red Road. Khidirpur Road, Lovers Lane, Hospital Road, Queensway, Esplanade Ramp, Place Gate Road and Mayo Road are also closed for a few hours.
