Through Pujor Rupokar 2.0, an initiative aimed at honoring the unsung creators behind Durga Puja, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata brought together the artisans and craftspeople who give shape, light, and rhythm to the state’s most celebrated festival as Bengal gets ready to celebrate Maa Durga. Kumartuli artisans, light artisans from Chandannagar, dhakis, and secretaries from pandal associations came together to celebrate their priceless contributions to Bengal’s cultural legacy.

Durga Puja is much more than just a Bengali festival; it was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. Generations of artisans whose talent, tenacity, and inventiveness bring the festivities to life are hidden behind the magnificence of thousands of pandals, exquisitely made idols, ornate lighting, and the distinctive beats of the dhak.

The President of the Kumartuli Association, the leadership of Manipal Hospitals Kolkata, and esteemed physicians from all of the hospital group’s divisions in Kolkata attended the program’s formal lamp-lighting ceremony. The nursing staff then performed a unique Devi welcome act. Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director of Manipal Hospitals East, then gave a welcome speech at the event, recognizing the vital role that artisans and other creators play in making Bengal’s biggest festival a reality.

A special felicitation ceremony honoring the Kumartuli, traditional dhakis, and light artisans of Chandannagar for their priceless contribution to Bengal’s cultural legacy took place after the welcome speech. The doctors gave each honoree a ceremonial shawl and a memento.

The list of people felicitated included Kumartuli Sarbojonin office-bearers Mr. Samar Mitra, Secretary, and Mr. Debasish Bhattacharjee, Working President; Mr. Babu Paul, Mrit Shilpi and Assistant Secretary, Kumartuli Mrit Shilpi Sanskriti Samity; national award-winning mritshilpis Ms. Mala Paul and Ms. Jhulan Paul; Probin Mrit Shilpi Mr. Nemai Paul; Asian Paints award-winning sculptors Mr. Nabo Paul, Mr. Soumen Paul and Mr. Sanatan Paul, along with Ms. Kakali Paul, Mr. Arup Paul, Mr. Pashupati Rudra Paul, Mr. Sanjay Paul, Mr. Ramit Paul, Mr. Indrajit Paul, Mr. Ranjit Sarkar, Mr. Bankim Paul, Mr. Dipankar Paul, Mr. Bhanu Rudra Pal, Mr. Sujit Pal, Mr. Pradip Dey, Mr. Rudrajit Paul, Mr. Subhas Paul and Mr. Samir Paul.

Representatives of the pandal associations, Mr. Chandra Nath Dey, Secretary, and Mr. Sanu Biswas, Treasurer, along with Chandannagar light artisans Mr. Tapan Ghosh, Mr. Tapas Ghosh, Mr. Ashim Dey, Mr. Dibyendu Biswas and Mr. Amio Das, were also felicitated.

Manipal Hospitals Kolkata reaffirmed its dedication to honoring not only the festival but also its creators with Pujor Rupokar 2.0. The initiative aims to highlight individuals whose ingenuity, skill, and commitment continue to give Bengal’s largest celebration its unique character while serving as a reminder that those who produce for the community must also make time for their own well-being.

Priyanka Dutta