A Durga Puja celebration in Kolkata is set to feature an unusual political theme this year, with a pandal dedicated to the life and political journey of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The puja is being organised by the Hindu Mahasabha, and the organisers said the installation will trace important stages of Adhikari’s personal and political life.

The theme has been titled Nandigram to Nabanna: Bubair Joyjatra. Bubai is a popular nickname associated with Suvendu Adhikari. The theme is designed to present his journey from his childhood and early political involvement to his participation in major political movements and his eventual rise to the position of West Bengal chief minister.

The pandal is being prepared at Ruby Crossing in Kolkata. According to the organisers, the installation will use several forms of visual storytelling rather than relying only on conventional decorative elements associated with Durga Puja. Models, photographs, murals, flex panels and documentary presentations will be used to depict different phases of Adhikari’s public career.

Hindu Mahasabha West Bengal president Chandrachur Goswami said the pandal would chronicle various stages of Adhikari’s journey. These include his childhood, his entry into politics, his involvement in different political movements and his emergence as chief minister.

A miniature portrait of Adhikari is also expected to be part of the installation. A documentary presentation will highlight his political struggles and major milestones, giving visitors an opportunity to view his career through a combination of photographs and moving images.

The organisers have described the entire installation as a visual narrative that combines historical references with artistic elements. Traditional Bengali patachitra motifs and other forms of Bengali artistic representation will also be incorporated into the pandal.

The decision to centre a Durga Puja pandal around a serving chief minister is likely to attract attention because political and social themes have often appeared in Durga Puja installations across Kolkata. However, this particular pandal is distinctive because its central theme is the life and political career of an individual political leader.

The theme also places special emphasis on Nandigram. The constituency has played an important role in Suvendu Adhikari’s political career. His political journey has included a long association with the region and its political movements. The planned pandal will use artistic representations to highlight those stages of his public life.

The other part of the theme refers to Nabanna, the administrative headquarters of the West Bengal government. The phrase Nandigram to Nabanna therefore represents the journey presented by the organisers, beginning with Adhikari’s political activities and culminating in his emergence as chief minister.

The organisers said preparations for the puja have already begun at Ruby Crossing. Construction of the pandal and the installation of the various visual elements are expected to continue ahead of the Durga Puja festivities.

Visitors will reportedly be able to see different sections depicting different periods of Adhikari’s life. The exhibition format is expected to combine physical models with photographs, documentary footage and artwork. This approach is intended to make the political journey accessible through a visual presentation rather than through conventional written displays alone.

The organisers are also expecting significant public interest in the theme. They believe that the combination of Durga Puja, political history and visual storytelling could attract large crowds during the festival. According to their estimate, the installation could draw lakhs of visitors during the celebrations.

The use of a political theme at a Durga Puja pandal is not entirely new in Kolkata. Puja organisers have previously used their installations to highlight political events, social issues, historical developments and public concerns. Such themes have become an important part of Kolkata’s wider Durga Puja culture, where artistic installations often go beyond traditional religious decoration.

The latest installation, however, places one political personality at the centre of its narrative. The organisers say the objective is to document the different phases of Adhikari’s life and political career through art and historical references.

The documentary component is expected to focus on his political struggles and significant milestones. Photographs will provide visual references to different stages of his career, while murals and models will contribute to the overall presentation of the theme.

Traditional Bengali patachitra art is also expected to form part of the visual design. Patachitra is a traditional form of scroll painting and storytelling associated with Bengal and other parts of eastern India. Incorporating such elements could give the pandal a distinctly Bengali artistic character while presenting the political narrative.

The theme comes as Suvendu Adhikari continues to occupy a prominent position in West Bengal politics. His political career has included association with different political formations and major political movements. The organisers intend to present those developments as part of a chronological story.

The pandal is therefore expected to function not only as a religious festival installation but also as a visual exhibition documenting a political career. Visitors will be able to view the artistic representations alongside documentary material and photographs.

At the same time, the political nature of the theme could generate discussion among visitors and political observers. The organisers have presented the project as a celebration and documentation of Adhikari’s journey, while the final public response will become clearer once the pandal opens during the festival.

The organisers have not announced that the installation will focus on a particular political party alone. Instead, they have said that the presentation will cover different phases of Adhikari’s life, including his childhood, political entry, participation in movements and rise to the chief minister’s office.

The project demonstrates how Durga Puja pandals can serve as spaces for artistic storytelling and public discussion. In Kolkata, where themed pandals are a major part of the festival experience, organisers frequently use architecture, sculpture, painting and multimedia presentations to create distinctive installations.

This year, the Hindu Mahasabha’s Kolkata puja is taking that approach in a political direction by placing Suvendu Adhikari’s life at the centre of its visual narrative.

As preparations continue at Ruby Crossing, the focus will now be on how the final pandal design brings together the different elements announced by the organisers. The models, photographs, murals and documentary presentation are expected to work together to tell the story of Adhikari’s journey from his early years to his current political position.

Overall, the Kolkata Durga Puja pandal will present Suvendu Adhikari’s life and political career through a combination of traditional Bengali artwork and modern visual presentation. The theme Nandigram to Nabanna: Bubair Joyjatra will cover his childhood, political entry, political struggles and rise to the chief minister’s position. Organisers expect the unusual theme and elaborate presentation to attract large crowds during the Durga Puja festivities.

Key Points

The Durga Puja pandal is being organised by the Hindu Mahasabha in Kolkata.

The theme is titled Nandigram to Nabanna: Bubair Joyjatra.

The installation will depict different stages of Suvendu Adhikari’s life and political career.

Models, photographs, murals, panels and documentary presentations will be used.

Traditional Bengali patachitra motifs will also feature in the artistic design.

The pandal is being prepared at Ruby Crossing.

Organisers expect the installation to attract a large number of visitors during Durga Puja.