If you thought the economic downturn has dimmed the grandeur of community Durga Pujas, think again. Indeed, the grand pandals of the city showcase the spending.
Some major Puja organisers claimed raising the budget, between 20 and 50 per cent, banking mostly on corporate sponsorships. While some, mostly known for themes and depicting the abstract, have made spending cuts, most organisers claim the recession is no reason to worry.
According to West Bengal Commerce and Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee, the Puja he patronises in his South Kolkata locality — Naktala Udayan Sangha — has seen a scale down in cost. This year the budget stands at Rs 32 lakh, down by more than 35 per cent (from Rs 50 lakh).
“Budgets came down not because of recession, but because we were not comfortable in having chit funds and liquor companies as sponsors,” he said. Chatterjee, incidentally, is the Chairman of the Puja committee. Instead, focus has been on looking for donations from local residents.
A few blocks away at New Alipore, home to the city’s top businessmen, is one of the city’s biggest community pujas organised by New Alipore Suruchi Sangha under the patronage of Housing Minister, Aroop Biswas.
Here again budgets have been cut approximately 30 per cent, to Rs 30 lakh from the previous Rs 43 lakh. “Sponsorships, stalls and advertisements still account for 75 per cent of our Puja budget. There has been no change in that segment,” Biswas told Business Line .
According to him, this year focus has been on reducing decorations and controlling expenditure. “It’s the culture of Bengal that we are portraying. So dependence on specially made props has gone down,” he said.
Increased Spending
Traditional Pujas such as Singhi Park in South Kolkata and Salt Lake BH Block in North Kolkata have claimed an increase in spending. With an estimated budget of Rs 50 lakh, 20 per cent increase over last year, Singhi Park’s Puja turns 72 this year. According to Bhaskar Nandi, Joint Secretary of the Puja committee, the pandal is being constructed on the lines of Vrindaban’s Govindaji temple this year.
“Like every year, around 60 per cent of our funds come from outdoor advertisements. The slowdown has not impacted us. Interestingly, raw material, labour charges and others expenses have gone up resulting in increased cost,” Nandi said.
Salt Lake’s BH block has doubled its Puja spending to Rs 22 lakh. The pandal would replicate the Sunderbans. Director Mahesh Bhatt would be flown in for inauguration.
“Our focus has been on obtaining corporate sponsors and better decor. Budgets have doubled since it’s a theme Puja,” P K Dey, Treasurer of the Puja committee, said.
Corporate Sponsor
Some other Puja committees such as Sreebhumi in North Kolkata are also banking heavily on corporate sponsorships. This year Tanishq has sponsored the gold jewellery that will adorn idols. Market sources claim the jewellery to be worth nearly Rs 5 crore and weighing 12 kg. Similarly, bhogs are being sponsored on Puja days at Sreebhumi.
“Right now we have not fixed a budget as such. But yes, we are looking at various sponsorships that would account for a majority of our Puja spends,” D K Goswami, General Secretary, Sreebhumi Sporting Club, said.