Puja - Social Impact (Part 2)

http://debasisr.blogspot.in/2012/09/puja-social-impact-part-1.html

 

Part 2 of last write up.

 

I have observed such sudden burst of money spending across the world be in Christmas, Halloween or Thanksgiving. All includes light work, food, new cloths / attire, travel, creation, meeting people / family etc. and one point it generates a boost to the economy by transferring money from one hand to another in form of producing / selling. Our festivals are no different. It also helps one segment of economy by transferring money from another set in a focused effort. This is economic side of festival. In Maharashtra it has been wide spread – a sign of progressive state. Ganapati puja is very simple in all form but almost every house, irrespective religion is bringing the god home and in turn transferring money from one hand to another in mass scale. A simple economic rules state inclusion and involvement of mass to distribute wealth and the more it is the better it is. In that term Durgapuja is much behind due to its elaborative process. I really don’t know the scale of Durgapuja overrides the spread of Ganapati or not -probably a good case to survey.

Can festival be an organized sector – my original question to Rajaramda. With my limited knowledge I feel organized sectors are supported by backward and forward integration. People, process, production, product, practice and technology are integrated and optimized to create a sustainable economic sense by creating wealth in form of producing, earning or job creation. Let’s think how we can engage more to retain heritage, encourage skill and make this sustainable income for those who are involved in this form of art or religious activity.

My realization became stronger when I got involved in Jayantada’s puja. Bichakhana puja has become a part of us and we all collaborate making this happen. It is our social binding and in turn we help people who are involved with this – a dhaki or purohit or the decorator who makes the pandal. Come join us and be part of this enjoyment!!

Puja - Social Impact (Part 1)

This is my simple way of looking at economic impact of festival. A festival has many different angles like religious, entertainment, social etc. Durgapuja is an elaborate festival satisfying all such angles over many years. Now how does that happen?

 

Let’s look at the basic needs of Durgapuja which starts with a deity made of wood, hay and soil – a pure green image making process had been followed last several years might be centuries in West Bengal and other part of world. However, it is very funny to observe not a single line was written about Durgapuja being green one for ages but several pages on green Ganpati, the cute auspicious son of ma Durga famous in Western part of India. I don’t know how it started to make green image but could be due to larger than life image of ma Durga was not possible to make out of PoP. In any case this stands out as an environmental contribution and by following that devotees are also contributing to environment for last many years.

It is a distinguished art creating the pratima and her family. This is a profession by a clan of artist from Kumarrtuli, a place in West Bengal. Many people are earning their whole year’s income in 3 months making Durga idol. Is this enough and sustainable in an economy growing at 6%+ with similar inflation? So a festival always has socio economic value.

The festival generates incomes for group of people who are involved in the process. The terrific pandals in Kolkata used to astonish me. What an art it has been? In my child hood I used look at that in awe and think who all created this beauties – an architect? I don’t have a verified answer even today but I am sure thousands of people are earning their living doing this year after year but again this is very seasonal in nature for big bucks. The beautiful pandals are to be illuminated by night and it has been done by a group of electricians who are artists too – fabulous display of illumination indeed!! ...