Alipore Sarbojanin Durgotsav
Brief History of Alipore Sarbojanin Durgotsav:
- Establishment & Age: Alipore Sarbojanin Durgotsav began in 1949. In 2025, the puja marks its 76th year of continuous celebration.
- Location: 55, Alipore Park Road, Alipore, Kolkata- 700 027, near Kalighat Metro, South Kolkata.
Themes:
- 2024 Theme: ‘Sangkalpa’ (Bohurupi as Motif) – The 2024 theme focused on the traditional art of bohurupi – folk artists known for live masquerade and role-playing, embodying gods, goddesses, and cultural heroes. The pandal celebrated this heritage with décor, performances, and live acts, as bohurupis travelled throughout Kolkata’s neighbourhoods, surprising and delighting citizens. The puja intentionally avoided banners, using surprise live acts and visual storytelling for publicity and connection.”
- Recent Themes: Past years have highlighted nostalgia, Bengal’s folk arts, and live performances such as Jatra (folk theatre) and pala gaan (folk ballads), aiming to reawaken interest in vanishing indigenous traditions.
- Live Engagement: From 6pm to 5am, about 80 performers light up the pandal, drawing city-wide appreciation for artistic depth and communal vibrancy.
USP:
- Celebration of Folk Heritage: The puja is a torchbearer for Bengal’s vanishing folk arts – spotlighting traditional artisans, performers, and their stories within mainstream festivities.
- Dynamic Art Installations: Prioritizes live art and immersive experiences over mere static décor, making the celebrations interactive and unique in the Kolkata puja circuit.
- Minimalist Publicity, Maximum Engagement: Eschewing banners and hoardings, the pandal’s presence relies on the spectacle and delight of live bohurupee performances and community word of mouth.
- Award Recognition: Honored by the Serader Sera Nirmal Puja Puroskar in 2024 for cultural excellence, drawing large crowds and significant civic appreciation.
Additional Notes:
- Community Pillar: The club is closely associated with local welfare, organizing social programs beyond the festival.
- Consistent Media Attention: Praised for creativity and authenticity, frequently recommended in “must-visit” lists.
In summary:
Alipore Sarbojanin Durgotsav, established in 1949 and now 76 years old, is celebrated for reviving Bengal’s folk heritage and arts – like the bohurupi – and transforming each puja into a participatory, dramatic, and culturally resonant spectacle in South Kolkata.
