Durga Puja's Unesco spark ignites pandal art, business and more

West Bengal's cultural extravaganza sees higher sponsorships, heightened creativity

Amid the fervour of Durga Puja in North Kolkata, a spectacle awaits all who venture to witness it: Tala Prattoy, with a larger-than-life metal structure cradling the magnificent Durga idol within its embrace.

Spread over 33,000 square feet, the Tala Prattoy Durga Puja stands supported by two towering arches and sturdy pillars. These pillars depict vignettes from the life of the ingenious artist, Susanta Paul. Inside this extraordinary structure, one can explore a study, a shower area, a dining space, and the inner sanctum, where the artist coexists with the deity during the days of the puja.

“Organised religion creates