Kolkata Durga Puja pandal made from 12,000 iron chairs revives nostalgia

An often unnoticed sight during festivals is the arrangement of rows of iron chairs placed ahead of public functions or outside pandals. The traditional white iron chairs with jute or plastic straps for seating have become outdated in contemporary events.

In Kolkata, a Durga Puja pandal evoked nostalgia by demonstrating how these once-forgotten iron chairs can be repurposed, rekindling memories. The same chairs that were once commonly placed in front of pandals are now being ingeniously employed in their construction.

The pandal is a structure made of iron chairs. 12,000 iron chairs were curated for more than 3 months to create the structure in Kolkata's Bosepukur area. The Bosepukur Shitala Mandir club has come up with this theme.

Speaking to India Today, Anirban Das, the artist who created the pandal said that it brings back memories of the past. "We have used some 12,000 iron chairs which have mostly gone obsolete. You don't see these anywhere. The theme is ‘ayojon’ or organise, and whenever we organise something we use chairs for sitting, but sadly, these chairs are nowhere but in our memories" said Anirban.

According to club secretary Kajal Sarkar, the puja of Ma Durga is a huge preparation and these chairs represent the process. “Even a few decades ago, iron chairs stacked in front of a house or on the ground would hint at any occasion,” he added.

Nowadays, plastic chairs have emerged as a more prevalent, affordable, and lighter alternative as they are easy to transport, come in various vibrant colors, particularly red and green, and are notably more economical for users. But this puja pandal is a striking example of how the past should not be forgotten but assimilated into the spirit of festivities.

(With inputs by Suryagni Roy)