Abirpothi

India’s only daily art newspaper

#durga puja

Bhadralok: Architectural Legacy and Cultural Identity in Kolkata and Beyond

We have earlier learned about the Bhadralok of Kolkata and how the term and the people came into being around the 19th century. Bhadralok of course was defined by their Bhadrata (good manners). The Bhadralok did not just inhabit urban spaces, but in rural areas, a defining trait of the Bhadralok is their aversion to […]

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From Aristocracy to Artefact: Introduction to Kolkata’s Bhadralok Culture

The bhadraloks built their reputation for having a certain evolved sense of the world -Hindol Sengupta/ fortuneindia.com Bhadralok Culture The existence of aristocratic strata within Kolkata’s cultural milieu highlights a legacy characterised by influence and refinement or so it seems. The Bhadralok culture may have sprung up in the 19th century and established a great

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Iconic Howrah Bridge Transformed with ‘Alpana’ Art and LED Lights for Durga Puja

Introduction The historic Howrah Bridge, an iconic structure that has graced Kolkata for over 80 years, has undergone a stunning transformation just in time for Durga Puja. A team of talented artists has painted the cantilever thoroughfare with traditional Bengal ‘alpana’ motifs, while vibrant LED lighting now illuminates the bridge after sunset. This remarkable makeover

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Tradition of Durga Idol Making: A Cultural Odyssey from Kumartuli to Guwahati

Introduction There is an age-old craft—the art of idol-making—in the centre of India’s diverse cultural tradition, where legends whisper through old banyan trees and the air hums with the immortal echoes of devotion. For nearly three centuries, this elegant and impressive skill has nurtured Bengal’s spiritual soul, reaching a crescendo in the centre of Kolkata

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Kolkata’s Iconic Trams Get a Durga Puja Makeover

Introduction The West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has embarked on a unique initiative to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Kolkata’s iconic tramways and the recognition of Durga Puja as an intangible cultural heritage. Special trams with revamped interiors and exteriors have been introduced, paying homage to Bengal’s greatest festival. These trams will run from Tollygunge

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Indo-Dutch Collaboration Brings West Bengal’s Durga Puja to Global Spotlight

Introduction Two talented Dutch artists have teamed up with a local craftsman in Kolkata to bring this year’s Durga Puja theme to life, aiming to showcase West Bengal’s major festival on a global scale. Their collaboration is part of a broader effort to celebrate the cultural fusion between the Netherlands and India. The Dutch Artists’

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Durga Puja Of Bengal In Famous Indian Artists Paintings

Introduction Durga Puja, one of the most celebrated festivals in India, marks the triumph of good over evil as goddess Durga vanquishes the demon Mahishasura. This joyous occasion is not just about worship; it’s a canvas for artistic expression, where creativity flourishes through drawings, paintings, and artworks that capture the spirit of the festival. Durga

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Brick by Brick

Partha Dasgupta Art infecting the city: Festival comes at a definite time every year. This cyclical movement of event’s where creation and dissolution, coming together of a large number of people for a few days and then going back to their respective day- today lives, continues every year, leaving it’s indelible mark. Over time, things

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A starry night in Kolkata

During Durga Puja, the City of Joy goes to great lengths to decorate pandals. If you want to see world-class artisanship, creativity, and beauty, then visit Kolkata during Durga Puja. The city will show you what type of hypnotic art can be created when our great local artists collaborate to implement a brilliant idea. In

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