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!! ...
