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It is almost time, in two days the celebrations of Durga Puja will start and the city will be decorated like a bride. Durga Puja is not only a time to enjoy with your family, but it is also deeply rooted in history. In fact, it is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Another fact that is associated with Durga Puja is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's contribution in bringing the Puja to the masses. His efforts from back then have today made a mark in form of the UNESCO recognition.
The Idea Of Inclusivity
Durga Puja's earliest mentions are from the 16th century when the grand celebrations of Durga Puja were organised by zamindars (landlords) of Bengal. The oldest Puja that one can trace is by the Savarna Chowdhury's family of Barisha in 1610, and the celebration was still exclusive. While the celebration was lavish, it was not open to the public. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose wanted the celebration to include everyone and came up with the thought of establishing a Sarbojonin Durga Puja in Kolkata. The word Sarbojonin means all in the society.
This soon became a way to serve as a common platform for the younger generation of freedom fighters to come together and form the association. The 10-day-long festival, including the preparation and celebration, became an essential part of discussions around the freedom movement. He also became the President of the Puja Committee and in the years between 1938-39, he glorified this celebration.
In the 1930s, near the Laxminarayan Temple, New Delhi Kali Bari was also established and the mandir committee was formalised in 1935 with Subhas Chandra Bose as the first president. The Kali Bari also played a significant role in the celebration of Durga Puja outside of Bengal, preserving Bengal's heritage outside its homeland.
Also Read: How Can Goddess Durga Kill The Modern Day Mahishasura?
Prisoner's Right To Worship
In the 1920s, when Bose was in Mandalay Jail, he wrote a letter to Basanti Devi to describe Puja and hoped to have "the divine mother will come and visit the prisoners in jail year after year and this relieve their pain and suffering."
The idea was to raise Rs. 140 themselves and Rs. 660 from the British government as a grant. Since celebrations of Christmas festivals were granted with the government providing Rs 1200, therefore there were no grounds to refuse a similar grant to the Hindu prisoners. However, this demand was not approved and issued that Rs. 660 must be deducted from the prisoners' allowances.
Bose did not accept this and a memorandum was sent to the Chief Secretary of the Government in Burma, however, it was again refused. Lastly, the political prisoners started a fast for the right to perform their religious rituals. They also demanded an additional Rs 60 for Saraswati Puja. This news spread and the prisoners were granted Rs 30 per prisoner as allowance. Though it was a very meagre amount, it did focus on the prisoner's rights.
The Evolution In Pujo Traidition
The ekchala idol tradition is a sculpture of the goddess Durga and her four children on a single platform or frame. The term “ekchala” literally translates to “under one roof”. This was the traditional way of idol-making. However, now, idols are made in different frames too and the credit for this goes to Bose.
In 1938, Bose was made the president of the Puja committee, however on Panchami, a fire almost stopped the Puja. Although there was no damage to the pandal, the idol was completely burnt. This is when Bose came up with an innovative idea and asked the artists to create idols separately using five different frames for Durga and her children. This would save time and different idols can be made simultaneously. This is what led to the change in Pujo tradition.