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In Kolkata, a city where traditions blend seamlessly with creativity, this year’s Durga Puja celebrations are serving a fresh narrative steeped in history and culture, centered around tea—a beverage synonymous with India’s social fabric. The Alipore Sarbojanin committee’s pandal, titled “Cha-Pan Utar” (Tea as Upheaval), uses tea as a lens to explore a riveting story of struggle, politics, popular culture, and entrepreneurship, turning the pandal space into a living museum of the world’s most beloved drink.
Key Highlights Of The Tea-Themed Durga Puja Pandal
The pandal traces the journey of tea from its origins in ancient China, inspired by philosopher Laozi’s words calling tea the “philosopher’s stone,” to its spread across continents and its role in colonial trade and wartime support.
Artistic depictions celebrate Assam’s tea legacy introduced by Maniram Dewan and expose the exploitation faced by plantation laborers, while spotlighting modern tea startups like Chai Point, Chaayos, and MBA Chaiwala that reinvent the humble cup as a thriving business.
Visitors are greeted with evocative installations such as a fighter-jet dropping sealed tea canisters during World War II in Burma, symbolizing tea’s role in boosting soldier morale.
Murals depict conversations at tea tables that shaped history, featuring figures from Hitler and Mussolini to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, emphasizing tea as a quiet witness to revolutions and diplomacy.
The pandal’s walls showcase the intersection of tea and popular culture through iconic ads, celebrity portraits with tea cups, and playful sketches merging global references with local charm.
Structurally, the pandal incorporates hand-painted clay pillars and Thangka-style artwork, blending spirituality with rural artistry, infusing cultural depth and invoking tea’s association with patience and resilience.
For the artists, mostly students, the project transforms into a powerful narrative canvas highlighting tea as both survival and style, embedding past struggles and future aspirations into every detail.
Tea’s Multifaceted Role In History And Culture
Tea here is more than a beverage; it is a historical protagonist, economic driver, and cultural symbol. The pandal narrates how tea influenced worker movements, colonial economies, war efforts, and even political dialogues, showing its indelible impact on India’s socio-political landscape. The presence of tea in advertisements and streetside stalls reflects its democratic reach, connecting people across classes and regions.
Experiencing The Pandal: A Journey Through Time And Taste
Walking through “Cha-Pan Utar” offers visitors an immersive experience encompassing history, art, and culture intertwined with tea’s story. Beyond visual delight, it evokes nostalgia and pride through nostalgia-laden posters, and engaging interactive elements recounting forgotten stories like tea’s wartime significance and revolutionary meetings held over cups of chai.
Artists Behind The Vision And Their Message
Lead artist Rajat Roy articulates the essence as a tribute to the layers of tea’s narrative—workers’ plights, wartime sacrifices, entrepreneurial energy, and cultural celebrations. The collective effort of about 35 students transformed the pandal into a vibrant tableau, making every sip of tea a link to an expansive heritage and promising future.
Conclusion: A Sip That Tells Stories – Kolkata’s Durga Puja Pandal Celebrates Tea’s Enduring Legacy
Alipore Sarbojanin’s tea-themed pandal offers a unique fusion of history, spirituality, and contemporary culture, inviting Puja-goers to appreciate the humble cup’s revolutionary journey and contemporary significance. This innovative pandal sets a new benchmark for thematic creativity in Durga Puja celebrations, marrying art with storytelling across generations.
Sources: Indian Express, Times of India, Outlook Traveller, Alipore Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee, Instagram artistic showcases
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