Maniktala Chaltabagan Puja blends tradition with modernity

Stepping into its 73rd year, Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja this year conveyed a strong environment-friendly message by using bio-degradable materials like coconut shells to decorate the pandal.
Craftsman Sutanu Maity and his team of artisans stitched tradition with modernity through using coconut shells to erect the pandal in the shape of a huge earthen lamp.
They worked for five months to give shape to their idea.
"We all know that nothing of a coconut goes waste. This year, the artisans of Digha and Contai through their art work demonstrated how the environment-friendly coconut shells can be used as spectacular art work for decorating a pandal," Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee chairman Sundeep Bhutoria told PTI.

He said that idea gelled well with the spirit of the United Nation's agenda adopted at its General Assembly this September named "2030 Development Agenda".
Chaltabagan Durga Puja has been at the forefront of innovation with socially-relevant eco-friendly themes like solar lighting, use of re-cycled waste, sustainable development, supporting the senior citizens and disadvantaged and so on.

Over the years, Chaltabagan Durga Puja, started in 1943, has been a top crowd-puller in the city.
With the advent of theme-based Pujas, Chaltabagan has used replica of Badrinath Temple, Rath (chariot), Bajra (boat) Temple inspired from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Debi Choudhurani.
"In these years we have used various materials such as iron net (2008), paper (2009), glass (2011), use of solar power (2012), re-use of discarded tins (2014) for building our pandal. We have always kept in mind eco-friendliness, waste management, fire safety, solar energy, waste management," Bhutoria said.

Not only the Puja, Chaltabagan has also arranged for gifting wheelchairs for elderly and physically disadvantaged.