Kolkata: Pujas take online route to make up for entry curbs in Covid season

KOLKATA: As many bonedi bari and baroari Durga Pujas are restricting guests this year, some have decided to take the online route to reach their audience. While some have made provisions for live streaming, a few are in the process of doing so.
Shovabazar Rajbari (chhoto taraf) has decided to completely restrict visitors. “It is not only about our family members.A lot of people pay their visit since morning and they can infect each other,” said Debasish Krishna Deb, a family member. The entire festival, including iconic moments like ‘kolabou snan’ and ‘sandhi puja’ will be streamed live through online platforms. “In the past 230 years, since the time of raja Nabakrishna Deb, we never closed the puja to outsiders,” Deb added.
“They have approached me and there is merit in what they think. A website — Durgafest.com, a joint initiative of HIDCO and NKDA among others — will arrange for the logistics to stream live. Such efforts are quite innovative in maintaining social distancing during the pandemic. Other Bonedi families can also think about making it available online. Moreover, the website will also have a rating system by audience,” said state Women and Child Development minister and mentor of Durgafest.com Shashi Panja.
“We are tying up with nearly 150 Pujas in Kolkata for live streaming and online presentation of their pandals,” said Indrajit Roy, managing director of Atreyee Nirman, a partner of Durgafest.com.
The ‘baro taraf’ of Shovabazar Rajbari, which has been celebrating Durga Puja for 264 years, will allow visitors in a restricted way, following state guidelines. “Visitors can enter via ‘bagh fatak’ and leave through the outlet near the Jaipuria college,” said Tapas Basu, trustee of Estate Raja Sir Radhakanta Deb Bahadur.
Central Kolkata’s Laha family is yet to finalize the plan for festival this year.
Sabarna Roychowdhury family has a total of eight Durga pujas across the city and they are not inviting anybody this year. “We will, however, not say no if a visitor comes. But they will have to watch it from a distance,” said Devarshi Roychowdhury, a member of the Roy Chowdhury family.