Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Durgotsav

Brief History of Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Durgotsav:

• Establishment & Age: Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Durgotsav is one of Kolkata’s most prestigious and award-winning community Durga Pujas, celebrated for its artistic brilliance, innovative themes, and grand execution. It is a consistent winner of top awards in various competitions and is a major crowd-puller during the festival season. Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Durga Puja is celebrated by Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Club and was founded in 1972. As of 2025, it celebrates its 53rd year.
• Location: A-33, Rajdanga Nabapally, Kasba, East Kolkata Township, Kolkata- 700 107, South Kolkata.

Themes:

• 2024 Theme: “Bharsamya (Equilibrium)” – The pandal explores the concept of equilibrium or balance in modern society – “Bharsamya” – using immersive art installations, symbolism, and materials like reclaimed wood and GI sheets. Curated by artists Moloy and Subhamay, the presentation reflects contemporary anxieties and our constant search for balance between progress, nature, human identity, and technology.
• 2023 Theme: “Parampara” (পরম্পরা) – which focused on showcasing how tradition and modernity can coexist and thrive together in Kolkata. The pandal design by artists Moloy and Subhamoy aimed to represent the blend of heritage and urban development that defines the city.
• 2019 Theme: “Refugee/Thikana (Address)” – A widely acclaimed theme on the plight of refugees and stateless citizens, using 1.5 lakh shuttlecocks as visual metaphor for people uprooted by state power. Installations included a globe with a throne, a giant shuttlecock, fences representing borders, and colonies showing refugee resilience. It reflected the anxieties around India’s NRC and Bengal’s own history with migration, connecting local stories to a global context.
• Other Noted Themes: Past years have depicted multi-religious unity (“Maarg” – different religious paths leading to the same destination) and “Contemporary Equilibrium” between progress and nature.

USP:

• Bold Socio-Political Commentary: Each year’s theme is socially conscious and often politically relevant – migration, statelessness, technology’s impact, and pluralism are common subjects.
• Immersive Installations: The club is recognized for large-scale, thought-provoking visual art, including ingenious use of materials (e.g., hundreds of shuttlecocks for the refugee theme, reclaimed metal and wood for equilibrium).
• Artistry & Collaboration: Renowned for collaborating with top contemporary artists, ensuring that themes are not just decorative but conceptually deep and visually striking.
• Community Connection: Its focus on migration, identity, and inclusion resonates with the lived history of its locality – home to many post-partition refugees – making the festival personal, relevant, and poignant for the neighbourhood.
• Media Magnet: The puja regularly draws national media coverage and features in must-visit lists for its creative daring and relevance.

Additional Notes:

• Public Welfare: The club works on year-round social service, from educational programs to local welfare initiatives, cementing its role as a civic leader.
• Visitor Experience: The pandal is celebrated for its ability to emotionally move and intellectually engage visitors, not just impress with visual spectacle.

In summary:

Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Durgotsav, established in 1972 and now 53 years old, is a hallmark of South Kolkata Durga Puja – renowned for bold, socially charged themes like “Refugee/Thikana” and “Bharsamya,” immersive art, and its deep community roots among Bengal’s first refugee families. Its artistic daring, public engagement, and creative excellence make it a must-visit contemporary puja.