Durgapuja 2025

Where Art Meets Grandeur: Durga Puja 2025 Unveiled

This autumn, Kolkata dons the mantle of wonder—transforming familiar streets into confluences of art, faith, and human aspiration. In 2025, as the festival returns with renewed ambition, Durga Puja is not just a ritual; it is the largest open-air gallery in the world, a stage where Massart privilege infuses each hour with creative courage and visionary design. Durga Puja 2025 is more than the sum of its rituals. It’s a city’s declaration: that art, when rooted in memory and propelled by vision, can move millions—across language, background, and belief. This year, as the grand procession begins and the lights rise over the City of Joy, witness Kolkata’s ultimate privilege: turning tradition into tomorrow, and a festival into a creative home for all. Presenting some of the Art that has mesmerized all. Thanks to all the artists, curators, and researchers who have made this possible.

Tala Prottoy

Theme : Bij Angan (বীজ অঙ্গণ)

The Tala Prattoy Durga Puja theme for 2025 is “Bij Angan” (বীজ অঙ্গণ), meaning “Seed Arena” or “Seed Ground”. This theme celebrates nature and growth and marks the 100th anniversary of Tala Prattoy. The renowned artist Bhabotosh Sutra has craftied the pandal/concept and idol for this special centenary celebration. The presentation showcases the human brain’s contribution to agricultural development and its subsequent role in the challenges of food adulteration, scarcity, and rapid inflation of commodities. 

Purbachal Shakti Sangha

Theme : Mathkhodai Kathkhodai

Purbachal Shakti Sangha’s 17th Durga Puja presents “Mathkhodai Kathkhodai” (Etching the Earth, Carving the Wood), exploring creation through labor, materiality, and artistic consciousness. Drawing parallels between agriculture, woodcraft, and fine arts, the theme celebrates the transformation of raw materials into expressive forms-fields etched, wood carved, prints and sculptures born. Seven eminent contemporary Indian artists contribute across printmaking, painting, and sculpture, honoring the legacy of woodcut master Haren Das. The pandal foregrounds collective artistry, merging studio practices with public engagement, reflecting Durga as a symbol of integration. The presentation bridges tradition and contemporary art, highlighting Bengal’s rich heritage through collaborative creativity and tactile imagination. Concept By Partha Dasgupta

Purbachal Shakti Sangha 17th Year of Durga Puja
“MATKHODAI KATKHODAI”
(Etching the Earth Carving the Wood)
Chief Designer & Idol Partha Dasgupta, Researcher- Debdutta Gupta, Archival Support: Art Alinda
Artists
Ashish Ghosh (Sculpture) Bijoy Chowdhury (Photography) Tanmay Chakraborty (Printmaking) Sayandeep Kangsabanik (Painting) Sourav Bandopadhyay (Printmaking) Milton Bhattacharya (Printmaking)
Supporting Artists
Sunil Paul (painting) | Sourav Nandy (painting) Chhandak Majumdar (painting), Sourav Das (sculpture) | Abhirup Pal (sculpture) Aranyak Pal (ornament)
Idol-Making Collaborator
Suman Karmakar & Team (Nabadwip)
Lighting Designer -Soumen Chakraborty
Scholarship Awardee- Rahul Sarkar (Printmaking)
Artist in Residence-Abhijit Halder (Sculpture/Ceramics)

Hindusthan Park Sarbojonin

Theme : Lokoj

Time’s relentless cycle often consigns memories to oblivion shrouding vibrant legacies in the shadows of the past. Chador-Badoni a folk art in rural Bengal is represented here. A presentation by Moloy Roy, Subhamay Sinha.

Pratapaditya Road, Trikon park

Theme : Devdarshan – Beholding The Divine

Debdarshan- A tribute to Raja Ravi Varma -Eshika Chandra and Deep Das creation.

Concept :There was a time when the Divine remained veiled—seated on thrones deep within temple sanctums, confined to royal palaces, beyond the gaze and touch of the common soul. Then came a visionary with a brush in hand—Raja Ravi Varma. With each stroke, he tore down those walls, bringing gods and goddesses out of shadows and into the light of everyday life.

Through his printing press, the sacred found a new home—not in lofty corridors, but on the walls of humble households, across castes, communities, and corners of the land. He gave the Divine a face—radiant, eternal, unforgettable—and in doing so, gave a people the power to see and feel their gods closer than ever before.

Generations of artists followed his trail, carrying forward his gift of vision. Even today, when we close our eyes and imagine the face of a deity, it is Ravi Varma’s art that shapes the image in our hearts.

And so, this Durga Puja at Pratapaditya Road Trikon Park, we bow in reverence not only to Maa Durga but also to the unseen sun behind our vision of divinity—Raja Ravi Varma, the painter who illuminated the gods for all.

Alipore Sarbojanin

Theme : Cha-Pan-Uttar

Barisha Club

Theme :Shunyo Prithibi (Empty World)

This artwork by artist Manash Das reflect the world as a infinite playground where life mirror as a cosmic circus playing a role as an unseen controller.The joker symbolizes the hidden sorrow behind the laughter. Its a homepage to the circus legacy. A masterpiece art work by the artist.

SB Park, Thakurpukur

Theme :Pratnakotha

The first glimpse of the theme “Pratnakatha” (Tales of Antiquity) at Thakurpukur State Bank Park Sarbojanin Sharodotsav 2025 feels as though history itself has risen from the womb of time to stand before our very eyes—where heritage and tradition blend seamlessly with emotion and experience.

Under the guidance of Dr. Ashok Dutta, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Calcutta, the excavation of the ancient Buddhist Monastery at Moghalmari has now found a new life in the hands of artist Raju Sarkar. Through his boundless creativity, the timeless essence of “Pratnakatha” emerges—each brick and every ornament of the pandal whispering the glorious thousand-year-old saga of Moghalmari. “Pratnakatha” is not just a Puja theme—it is a living dream, woven together through history, art, and melody.

Behala Natun Dal

Theme :Shivani Dham

Concept of the theme is done by Rono Banerjee, Amar Sarkar, Sanjay Bhattacharya, Idol created by Arighna Saha.

Concept : The history of Bengal holds many fascinating tales, and among them shines the story of Shibani Dham. Five centuries ago, the lands of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha came together to form an ancient indigenous state known as Sangrampur. During this time, Raja Rajkishore of Bundelkhand emerged as a powerful ruler. After defeating the Kirarani Dynasty’s Daud Khan, he established an independent kingdom in the northern parts of Bengal. Strengthened by cordial ties with the Mughal family, Raja Rajkishore expanded his dominion into a vast and prosperous empire. Raja Rajkishore began the construction of a majestic Rajprasad (royal palace), which was later completed by his son, Raja Bir Singha, using both Bundelkhand’s ancestral wealth and Mughal patronage. The family were devout followers of Lord Shiva, and at Rani Chandrabati’s request, Raja enshrined Lord Shiva’s idol within the palace grounds. Raja Bir Singha’s reign was enriched by art and culture. His close companion, Rai Kumari, a gifted poetess and singer, mesmerized him with her verses and melodies, so profound that her fame reached even the Mughal court of Delhi.
Rai Kumari was a devoted worshipper of Goddess Shibani, and at her inspiration, Raja Bir Singha consecrated an idol of the goddess in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine. Over time, the shrine grew into a revered temple, celebrated as Shibani Dham. Generations of devotees flocked there, especially during Durga Puja, when the dham would echo with music, prayers, and devotion, making it one of the most sacred places of worship.
Today, Shibani Dham remains not only a symbol of spiritual faith but also a testament to the harmony of history, art, and devotion.
On the glorious occasion of its 60th year, Behala Nutan Dal proudly recreates Shibani Dham as its Durga Puja theme. Through this pandal, we invite every visitor to step into history-to experience the timeless union of faith, culture, and creativity. May the same divine energy that once inspired Raja Bir Singha and Rai Kumari, bless us all who enter this sacred space.

Chaltabagan Sarbojonin (DL Roy Street)

Theme :Ami Banglai Bolchi

Concept :A tribute and dedication to Bengali language.Chaltabagan 2025 celebrates the soul of Bangla. Every colour, craft, and word in the pandal speaks the pride of our language and culture, making Durga Puja not just a festival, but a voice of heritage.

Chorebangan Sarbojonin

Theme : Srotoswini

Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja’s 2025 theme is “Srotoswini” (স্রোতস্বিনী)*, which symbolizes the ceaseless flow of time from ancient to modern eras, while the unchanging nature of the soil remains constant, according to The Times of India and Instagram. The pandal features both ancient and modern clocks to represent the flow of time, with the Durga idol depicted floating on a boat, symbolizing eternal strength and tradition amid change. The theme was created by artist Subrata Mridha.

Theme: Srotoswini.
Artist: Subrata Mridha.

Concept: The theme portrays time as a flowing stream, highlighting the transformation from ancient to modern eras while emphasizing the constancy of the soil.
Pandal Design: Both ancient and modern clocks are present inside the pandal to illustrate the passage of time.
Idol Design: The Durga idol is designed to float on a boat, a symbol of the enduring power of tradition.
Significance: This artistic approach combines philosophy, tradition, and creativity, making it a noteworthy event in Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations.

Kashi Bose Lane

Theme : Pakdandhi

A Anirban Das creation paying tribute to writer Leela Majumdar. In 2025 Durga Puja Kashi Bose lane theme is “Pakdandhi”. 

Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra

Theme : “Tanmatra” – The Aura

This concept by Susanta Shibani Paul explores the aura-an invisible yet palpable energy field enveloping the Divine Goddess, representing the creative force behind Durga Puja. The installation delves into the interplay of light, space, and symbolism to make this intangible energy perceptible to viewers. Through immersive design, colors, and ethereal forms, the pandal seeks to manifest the Goddess’s spiritual presence, vitality, and cosmic power. It emphasizes the subtle but profound influence of divine energy in shaping the festival, guiding devotion, and inspiring creativity. Visitors are invited to experience the aura as a living force, connecting the visible and invisible, the material and the transcendent.

Hathibagan Nabin Pally

Theme : Amader Desh Amader Durga

This year’s Durga Puja theme honors the women heroes of the 1942 Quit India Movement, whose courage and sacrifice mirrored the divine power of Maa Durga. Amid World War II, Mahatma Gandhi’s call for “Do or Die” mobilized the nation against British oppression. Women like Aruna Asaf Ali, Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Barua, and countless unnamed patriots actively resisted colonial rule, facing imprisonment or martyrdom. Their fearless participation was pivotal in challenging the British Empire and advancing India’s independence. This presentation celebrates their valor, resilience, and patriotic spirit, highlighting how the divine feminine inspired real-world courage and shaped the nation’s freedom struggle.

Artist : Abhijit Ghatak

Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha

Theme : Satyaneshi

Artist Anirban creation, Byomkesh Bakshi an eminent detective created by reknowned author Saradindu Bandopadhyay. Here you will find artwork and live show of the 8 stories of Byomkesh portrayed. Unique presentation and style.

Hathibagan Sarbojanin

Theme : Athaha Ghat Katha” (অথাঃ ঘাট কথা)

For Durga Puja 2025, Hatibagan Sarbojanin’s theme is “Athaha Ghat Katha” (অথাঃ ঘাট কথা), meaning “Story of the Endless Ghats of Ganga”. This theme, which brings the essence of Bengal’s culture and the holy riverbanks to life, is being created by theme artists Tapas Dutta and Parimal Paul from Kolkata, along with French artist Thomas Henriot.

Raj Danga Naba Uday Sangha

Theme : Question / Proshno  (অথাঃ ঘাট কথা)

Just as William Shakespeare, sitting in England, wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” so too, in Bengal, Dwijbhushan Chand wrote, “Bhava ranga mancha majhe, rangero nat natobaro hari, jare ja sajan se tai saje.” From this very philosophy, the outer form of our pavilion is designed in the likeness of a theatre stage, while at its center, a dreamlike flight seems
to draw our minds inward.
The child calls out to his mother:
“Where have I come from?
Where did you find me,
Mother?”
When a child is born into this world, there is no distinction between male and female. But as the child grows, society imposes this awareness upon them. A boy playing with dolls is told, “He’s playing like a girl,” while a girl playing football is told, “She’s behaving like a boy.”
In reality, the Creator has embedded all powers within everyone. It is we, through our judgments about who resembles whom and who does not, that create divisions within society. From the pressures imposed by society and culture on men and women arise conflicts and waves of discord. Yet, in nature, there is no such contradiction. The inner architecture has been designed in the form of a Shivalinga, the cosmic symbol of the union of male and female energies. On the two shores of the cosmic ocean stand two beings churning the ocean of creation together. We do not know which one is male and which one is female. We only know that from their united churning emerges the nectar of immortality-the amrit, the symbol of infinite power.
Around it revolves our world, our home, our life. The thousands of honeycombs remind us that a home stands only through the harmony of man and woman. If one pillar of the home is masculine, the other is feminine. Even Goddess Durga, in this divine union, stands as one such pillar. The Mother creates the sacred field for this grand union between the two.
Even as we immerse ourselves in the ocean of the Mother’s beauty, the mind still longs for the formless treasure beyond form. We comeback to the shore of the cosmic ocean, where, facing the reflection of the entire universe, we once again confront the primal question of creation.

A thematic narrtive conceived by Debasis Barui Illuminations: Premendu Bikash Chaki Sound: Ayan Mukherjee

Kendua Shanti Sangha

Theme : Niguro-The Mystic

Niguro – The Mystic”, invites the audience on an allegorical journey through a fabled universe towards a mystic Divine Goddess – an embodiment of creation, transformation, and spiritual power. A Durgapuja Art by Susanta Shibani Paul

Nalini Sarkar Street

Theme : Rupantar

This year’s Durga Puja theme, “Rupantar”, celebrates the nostalgia of childhood memories. The pandal becomes a canvas where beloved characters from our early years are brought to life, evoking the warmth, joy, and innocence of bygone days. Each element reflects personal and collective reminiscence, allowing visitors to relive the simple pleasures, imaginative play, and emotional imprints of their youth. Through artistic representation and immersive design, Rupantar transforms memory into tangible experience, bridging past and present. The pandal is not merely decorative but a storytelling space, where nostalgia fosters connection, reflection, and shared cultural identity, reminding all of the innocence and wonder of childhood. Created by Sanatan Dinda and Team

DakshinPara Durgotsav

Theme : “Probahi” (The Flow Within)

“Prabahi – The Flow Within” explores the ceaseless, inward movement of life, relationships, and emotions. Inspired by three years of immersive experience in Southpara’s Durga Puja, the installation merges personal reflection with collective consciousness. Maa Durga is reimagined not merely as a divine figure but as an embodiment of perseverance, hope, and resilience, guiding through life’s struggles and uncertainties. The pandal captures daily crises, fleeting uncertainties, aesthetic encounters, and the courage to begin anew, transforming inner awareness into shared social insight. Prabahi embodies a dynamic continuum-where individual perception flows into collective experience, reflecting the rhythm and philosophy of life itself. Created by Debasis Barui

Ahiritola Sarbojanin

Theme : Probaho

This vast universe, galaxies, the mysteries of creation, and the birth of civilization-all flow from one eternal truth, reflected in forests, in breath, and in the song of humanity. That same truth inspires sajna (preparation) and sadhana (spiritual practice), awakening the body’s cycles, stirring kundalini’s circular flow toward cosmic liberation. As morning birds echo life’s rhythm, so too did a 15th- century Italian artist seek truth through knowledge and light, believing life itself must inspire new illumination. This philosophy, embedded in the clay idol, transforms into artistic imagination, where universal harmony and timeless wisdom converge. Crafted/ Concept by Arinban Pandalwala

Telengabagan

Theme : চলায়তন

Human civilization progressed on the foundation of the pursuing culture, which was composed of traditional folk culture and community practices. But subsequent religious practises, under the garb of salvaging the soul, interfered and shaped the on going culture to its own ill purpose and objective. Intruding religion got into the liberal and secular cultural space to mould it and threw it into the quagmire of superstitious. Human avarice for wealth and prosperity or to overcome the crisis during sickness or natural disaster, society succumbed to the ill purpose of superstition, even knowing that it is irrational and false. Different human society at different parts of the world only receded over time.
But inquisitive and rational mind equipped with education as weapon questioned the regressive and irrational practices of superstition and refused to follow it blindly. Such rational approach compelled superstitious practices to retreat opening the way for logical advancement of the society.
All we need is to keep the windows of our mind open. Let the light of education and wind of perpetual human culture enter our mind to combat the remnants of superstitions in the society. Let us throw away all our inertia and basesless fear into the dustbin of time. Standing at the cross road of time – we need to select the right rational path. Our future generation is ready with the torch of progress.
ভাবনা ও প্রতিমা: পরিমল পাল