This year, the highly anticipated Greatest Show on Earth (GSOE) Awards honored the history and creative genius of the puja committees that demonstrated exceptional workmanship, thereby celebrating the grandeur of Durga Puja. The Greatest Show On Earth’s organizers recognized excellence in a number of categories, with a particular emphasis on idol artists, theme designers, and lighting artists who make the festival come to life, and nominated puja committees with budgets of Rs 60 lakh and less.

“The GSOE Awards nurture talent at the grassroots level. We are bringing in a new era of Durga Puja celebrations by distributing 60% of the prize money to idol artisans, theme designers, and lighting artists, striking a balance between tradition and innovation.” With the help of the significant prize money, these artisans will be empowered and become essential to the festival’s future” said Mr. Arnab Basu, co-founder of GSOE.

 This year, more than 350 participants registered, and 12 finalists were carefully selected by the GSOE team.

The judging panel included popular actors Rajatabh Dutta, Priyanka Sarkar, Sauraseni Maitra, and Sourav Das, alongside international representatives Ian Taylor from Manchester, UK, and a four-member French delegation. Industry veterans from the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, former IFA Chairman, and George Telegraph MD also lent their expertise to the panel.

The winners in the different categories are:

Ahiritola Sarbojanin and Hatibagan Sarbojanin-Best Theme

Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha and Bosepukur Shitala Mandir- Best Art and Environment

Dum Dum Park Tarun Dal and Kashibose Lane- Best Statue

Rajdanga Nabodaya Sangha- Best Kolkata Puja

Kankurgachi Chalantika Club and Lalabagan Nabankur- Best Surprise of the Year

This year, however, the GSOE Awards went beyond Kolkata to honor excellence in districts such as Howrah, Kalyani, and Baruipur, with the respective Mandirtala General Durgotsab Committee, Kalyani A9 Square, and Pragati Sangha.

The prizes will be awarded by GSOE co-founders, international representative Ian Taylor, actress Ditipriya Roy, and actor Rajdeep Gupta at the cultural festival’s big finale on October 27 at the ancient Khelat Ghosh Rajbari in Pathuriaghata.

Priyanka Dutta