Nawpara Dada Bhai Sangha Durgotsav
Brief History of Nawpara Dada Bhai Sangha Durgotsav
- Establishment & Age: Nawpara Dada Bhai Sangha Durgotsab Committee started organizing Durga Puja around 2004-2005, making the puja about 20-21 years old as of 2025. It is located at 79, AK Mukherjee Road, Noapara, Baranagar, Kolkata- 700090.
Themes:
- Distinctive Annual Themes: Nawpara Dada Bhai Sangha is highly regarded for bold and socially thought-provoking themes.
- 2024 Theme: “Shekhor Ebar Shikhore” and “Shikor” – focusing on “roots” and “growth,” exploring themes of resilience and connection to heritage.
- 2022: “Porichoy – The Identity” explored the social stigmas faced by prostitutes, aiming to provoke discussion about their acceptance and value in society. This year was notable as the first time a Durga idol was made from silicone at the pandal.
- Recent Themes: Subsequent years have continued the tradition of using art to comment on identity, roots, relationships (“Somporker Taan”), and elements of Bengal’s folk and Baul traditions.
USP:
- Artistic Innovation: Among few in Kolkata to use silicone for the Durga idol, breaking from traditional clay craftsmanship, which creates a striking and realistic visual impact.
- Theme Artistry: Noted theme-makers Sandip and Tapasi Mukherjee have crafted bold, layered stories using the pandal as a canvas for social narratives.
- Social Commentary: The puja has garnered attention for fearless engagement with challenging social issues (identity, acceptance, relationships, heritage) instead of purely decorative or mythological motifs.
- Community Reputation: Nawpara Dada Bhai Sangha is regarded as a must-visit for pandal-hoppers interested in art, innovation, and community activism, especially in North Kolkata’s Baranagar area.
Additional Notes:
- The management and creative team are praised for taking risks and setting trends with their thematic approach and pandal artistry.
- Inaugurations often feature well-known public figures and receive widespread media coverage for both social messaging and visual grandeur.
In summary:
Nawpara Dada Bhai Sangha Durgotsav, established in the mid-2000s, has quickly risen as a Baranagar highlight through innovative silicone idols, powerful sociocultural themes, and a commitment to challenging, evolving narratives – making it an acclaimed and influential force in Kolkata’s Durga Puja scene.
