DURGA PUJA 2012 _ PART II

ICONOGRAPHY OF  MAHISASURAMARDINI -  ' সাবেকী  ' vs ' থিম '  পূজা   

( 'SABEKI', i.e. traditional vs 'THEME' PUJO ).

'No to cloning' -

ShibMandir.

 This time every year ,  argument rages between the groups supporting ' সাবেকী / SABEKI'  i.e. traditional  and ' থিম /THEME'  puja .  Often the ardent supporter from each group  excitedly uses language which further increases the temperature. One such example is here :
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=433354780054711&set=a.433354663388056.97877.118216318235227&type=1&comment_id=1300755&ref=notif&notif_t=like&theater.
It is the exchange between Pradipta Nan and Payel Rinks Banerjee on one hand, Shibmandir Durgapuja's representative on the other  prompted me to prepare my submission.

  Durga mauls Mahisasura  - 

Famous traditional depiction at Vaital temple, Bhubaneswar.

 Centuries ago, when sculptors following  canons of Iconography were creating wonders at Badami, Aihole or later at Vaital temple, those who wanted to break with the tradition created the  relief at Mamallapuram where Devi is shown engaged  in combat with Mahisasuramardini . After centuries, another sculptor 'created' a Durga which has 4 hands, no trident  and the severed head of the buffalo  lying at the centre of Devi's feet ! This  depiction seems to have influenced many of our present day artists - I do not have to mention the names.

  Devi has won the battle - she no longer needs ten hands nor weapons. Even the trident is not here.

Severed head of the Asura lies at her feet.

 We can guess the ruckus the purists of those days had raised ! Yet, the wall-relief was installed and stayed put to the delight of Iconographers of these days. I have in my HDD another Durga where she has slain the Asura. Here she  has the trident in her hand.

 During the middle of  the 20th century, we found  many  artists broke from the mould. Reportedly Sunil Pal was  one of the pioneers of this trend. His work of 1945 at Kansaripara  is now forgotten - I could not get any photo of the same from a senior Art critic from whom I heard the 'story'. Later on Jiten Pal took the trend forward during 1950s. I used to admire the tremendous imagination his idols at 23 Pally used to demonstrate . I can still visualise his Durga turning away from the arena of combat with severed head of Mahisasura in her hand, her face and eyes red with anger. As far as my memory goes, she had two hands , not ten. Her dresses were unconventional too. This particular depiction attracted notice and criticism from purists and orthodox  section of  Durga's worshipers. But, Puja Committee of 23 Pally continued to patronise the trend and Jiten Pal .

 Traditional idol - ageold Puja.

Source - Bengali Statesman.

 Since  1950s,not only Jiten Pal , but some more artists started the trend of experimenting with Durga's iconography. In traditional format, Durga stands erect with her right foot on lion's back, left one on Mahisasura, her trident piercing Asura's breast . The implication is : the battle is over. The image is somewhat static.Many artists brought out scene of combat - somewhat like  the famous wall-relief of Mamallapuram -  thereby  a  sense of tremendous movement. During 2011, Bhabotosh Sutar  could portray  such dynamism in his Naktala idol.

One of the finest Durga I have come across - the 'movement' here is captured so perfectly !

Naktala Udayan  Sangha. Bhaboiosh Sutar.

Gradually,over the decades, Durga's depiction changed . These days, we have lots of varieties. Purists have their Bagbazar,Maddox Square,Durga Bari (Ballygunge Place).  Theme lovers have Sanatan Dinda, Tarun De, Shibsankar Das and .... also ShibMandir.

  Iconography of this idol of Durga is not easy   - 

it is important to 'understand' the interpretation before commenting !

95 Palli, Jodhpur Park

I appreciated Shibmandir's concept of merging 'RaktaBeej' and 'No to cloning' ! That neither means Pradipta Nan and Payel Rinks Banerjee will have to like the current (2012)  idol of Durga  of  ShibMandir  nor that  means SbibMandir will get so angry at dissents as to question the grey matter content of such viewers ! But, it is proper  that people like Pradipta Nan and Payel Rinks Banerjee refrain from using rude language.

Each to his/her views and choices !

DURGA PUJA 2012 - PART I

 Devi and her 'children'- Kartik in far right as seen in this photo - come down a spiral. 

Tarun De. Barisha Udayan Club.

Very lyrical,very graceful posture.

Many photographers - both amateur and professional - who like to chronicle their love for Durga Puja  start their  journey from Kumortuli. These journeys   have produced some wonderful shots , some repeatations. I have  been too lazy to visit Kumortuli for photography - only once I  went there as a child with my grandfather . I reckon this is one experience  I have missed so far.

  Devi among two hemispheres ( lower one in this photo) , within a Pavilion conceived as a 'Kadamba' flower. 

Shib Shankar Das. Santoshpur Triangular Park. 

(Photo taken 14days before inauguration)

  Devi ushering peace. A very tranquil image. 

Shib Shankar Das. Santoshpur Triangular Park.

 This year my association with Durga Puja started with visits to 'sites' where Sanatan Dinda , Shiba Prasad Das  and Purnendu Dey  were working beyond the eyes of the public. I also did a good amount of internet search to  get hold of old photographs of Jiten Pal's work, which brought into contact contact with some veteran Press photographers and finally Naba Pal, grandson of legendary Jiten Pal. More on the work of searching archives at a later date. Though I am yet to get the photographs I was looking for.

 Huge butterfly , installed by Bhabotosh Sutar. Naktala Udayan Sangha.

Looks like a dream when illuminated in the night. 

Devi  envisaged by Bhabotosh Sutar  in spite of  publicity,  a disappointment.

During our 'Puja Parikrama' this year, I have seen  a good no of excellent work. I am also learning to appreciate the great amount of artistic as well as mundane work which go into making an outstanding pavilion and at the same time shaping an idol that stands out in the crowd,stays in the heart of the viewer.

  Pavilion @ Barisha Sarbajanin,shaped as a massive 'SivaLinga' getting ready. 

Sanatan Dinda.

Yet, there are artists who do not get publicity  and their good work is ignored by the prize-giving community, at times by the pandal-hoppers who  are often guided by the Bengali News channels. One major work which has been largely overlooked is Barisha Udayan Palli. Tarun De's work - in Gen Y's language - rocks.

  'ShivLinga' @ Barisha Sarbajanin. 

Sanatan Dinda.

Devi placed within a cut-out on the 'SivaLinga' ,viewed at an angle.
Flames rage on the blue-coloured Linga. Symbols of eye  seem to float on it !
Barisha Sarbajanin. Sanatan Dinda.

 Sanatan Dinda's works in 2012 need elaborate explanation.It has several layers - beyond the obvious visual. More on Sanatan's work in future posts.