To mark its 73rd Durga Puja, Baguiati Rail Pukur United Club unveils an artistic installation themed Collage, weaving together art, society, memory, and the evolving landscape of communication.

Designed by artist Somnath Tamli, the entire artistic pavilion was crafted from thousands of kilos of recycled newspapers, turning a common material into an immersive artwork. Individual newspaper sheets, words, photographs, and textures combine to create the pandal, turning the structure into a tangible embodiment of the theme.

The concept of Collage also holds a profound link to the mythology of Maa Durga. In traditional accounts, various deities pooled their divine powers and weapons to bring about the full manifestation of Goddess Durga. The pavilion views this convergence of individual components as a symbol of the strength found in collective power.

In the traditional story, Maa Durga was formed by the combined divine energies of the gods, each contributing their powers and weapons. Among the deities traditionally linked to these roles are Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, Varuna, Vayu, Agni, Yama, Kubera, and Surya.

Each divine contribution is an individual piece of power. Yet, when assembled, these fragments form the complete and powerful manifestation of Maa Durga. This fusion of disparate elements into something greater forms one of the core meanings of Collage.

The installation continues the same theme and also honors inspirational figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Satyajit Ray, Satyendra Nath Bose, Matangini Hazra, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Swami Vivekananda. Their varied contributions collectively form another collage of Bengal and India’s cultural, intellectual, and social heritage.

The newspaper itself takes on a nostalgic quality within the installation. Images showing newspapers being loaded in bulk and delivered by bicycle evoke the familiar newspaper culture of a past era, while also prompting reflection on how digital media has reshaped the way people access and share information today.

Through Collage, Baguiati Rail Pukur United Club unites art, mythology, heritage, and modern ideas, providing visitors with an experience that transcends the visual appeal of a Durga Puja pandal.

Priyanka Dutta