From the time we landed, and even before we landed, everyone was talking about the Sreebhumi Pandal. Sreebhumi, Sreebhumi.
Side note, the spelling of Sreebhumi (the way it’s written in Bengal) is super confusing for a South Indian like me. I would have spelt it ShriBhoomi, Sri Bhoomi. The “i” Sri gets replaced with “ee” and there is a single “u” instead of “oo” in Bhoomi. Not sure why this happens. May be our English teachers had different phonetic spelling trainings.
We were just out of the Tarun Sangha Pandal and our expectations levels were reaching the sky. We reached the Pandal and the outside looked amazing. It was a replica of the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. The first time I saw Hawa Mahal, I was in awe. I wondered how something so simple can be so beautiful. The replica in Sreebhumi reminded me of that moment.
Truth be said, the Pandal did not have much mind tickling to offer beyond the exterior. Inside the Pandal, it was more grandeur. Large chandeliers, huge pillars, dancers and musicians idols on the walls etc.. But concept wise, it was mid. Remember, I am coming out of a place where they painted pillars with Ravi Varma style paintings, and my expectations are touching the roof.
I know I should not be saying it given the effort put in by the artists, but which artist is going to read my blog. And even if they do, they will agree IMO.
The Durga was the traditional Durga. Very well done and looked very beautiful. 100 marks to the expressions of Mahisasura. It looked like an overacting South Indian actor. Shivaji Ganesan may be. 😄
During the Puja season, there is a Pandal anywhere and everywhere. That is when we saw the 5th Pandal. While driving on the road.
