Click to play videoLalgarh: It is celebration time for all Bengalis as Durga Puja begins on Thursday. In this time of joy and festivity as Bengal goes into a state of jubilation, celebrations in Lalgarh have a deeper significance.
The Maoist hub of Bengal, suffering from violence, is home to many artisans who make the idols of the goddess. In Lalgarh, even as the artisans add finishing touches to an otherwise insignificant community Pujo in Bengal's countryside, Lalgarh Sarbojonin Durga Pujo has lost its zing.
With a Rs 50,000 budget, which is almost one-fourth of that of last year, the Pujo organisers are struggling for people's participation in this violence-torn Maoist heartland. That, despite the fact, this is the only community pujo within its five-kilometer radius catering to more than 20 villages.
Baroda Rai, member of Lalgarh Pujo Committee said, "There are no Pujos in the vicinity, and still the crowd wouldn't be big this year because of all these troubles. People won't be coming because of the fear psychosis that is at work."
Arup Santra, treasurer, Lalgarh Pujo Committee said, “The area has come to a standstill because of the bandhs and agitations. In the midst of all that we are trying our best to provide some relief to the people."
While Lalgarh is struggling to cope with the violent conflicts, artists from that area are working for the community pujos of Kolkata, bringing life to pandals with their skills.
In his mid-30s, Tapan Mahali is a primary school art teacher in Gidhni in the outskirts of Jhargram in West Midnapore. But at the Chakraberia Sarbojonin in south Kolkata, Mahali is working with a group of artisans from Lalgarh for over a month now to decorate this exotic pandal with appliqué paintings.
Says Mahali, "Working here provided me with fresh oxygen. The situation in Lalgarh is almost strangulating. It's as if I received a fresh lease of life after coming here."
The celebrations in Kolkata remain immune from the situation in Lalgarh. But the melancholy of the latter is likely to touch hearts in the city, courtesy those who bring their skills from the Maoist zone.
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