#CelebrateingtheRainbow at the workplace – share your stories of Pride!
Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata are a celebration of good's victory over evil in its truest sense. This Navratri, an attempt to defeat the evil of social discrimination.
Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata are a celebration of good’s victory over evil in its truest sense. This Navratri, an attempt to defeat the evil of social discrimination.
The festival fever has gripped the nation. The ongoing Navratri celebrations with the colorful rass, garbas and Durga puja has decked up the nation with lights, decorations, pandals, gatherings, food, and revelry. The message of good’s victory over evil is handed down from one generation to the other with these traditional celebrations and rituals.
Today morning while I was going to drop my son to the school, he asked me a question about celebrating Dussehra. I tried to explain the philosophy of victory of good over evil to the curious seven years old – how Shri Ram killed Ravana and brought back Sita. Then he asked me why Durga Devi was worshipped during these nine days? I narrated to him the story of Maa Durga and Mahishasur. How the fight between them went on for nine days and on the tenth day, she finally killed the evil demon. Hence, it is celebrated as Vijaya Dashmi too.
His questions took me back to my childhood years that were spent in Calcutta which is now Kolkata.
Durga Puja was a celebration that I looked forward to every year. Although we were Maharashtrians, my parents also indulged in buying new clothes for us during Puja celebrations, and enjoyed the festivities with Bengali friends. The huge pandals and the majestic idols of Maa Durga along with that of Lokkhi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Kartik were the main attractions.
The streets were alight with decorations and unique themes. The stalls and aroma of sumptuous Bengali food with cultural programs couldn’t be missed at any cost. I still miss being at Kolkata during the Puja fever. However, my Bengali childhood friends take me on a Durga Puja tour every year through the various pictures posted by them on their social media handles.
The celebration of puja has changed manifold since I was a child; now it mirrors the current socially relevant issues, making it much more than just a traditional celebration.
While scrolling through a social media page, my attention was caught by two unique stories. For past few years ‘Themed Puja’ is gaining popularity. Here the festival is portrayed through the lens of different themes be it folk-art, or philosophical to socio-environmental issues. In an attempt to bring forward the plight of sex workers in the society, an innovative Durga puja has been organized by the ‘Ahiritola Jubak Brinda Puja Committee.’
The list of a hundred and eight items needed for the rituals of Durga Puja features an unusual one – a clump of soil from the doorstep of sex workers is essential. Yet sex workers are never treated well or welcomed at celebrations. To make a break in this hypocrisy, this Puja committee has beautifully conceptualized the entire set up.
The 300-feet long street leading to the entrance of the Ahiritola Jubak Brinda Puja Mandap depicts the scene from lives of sex workers in strikingly bright colors. This lively and vibrant artwork has been created by Kolkata-based graffiti artist Debanjan and his team, with twenty-five sex workers.
The main Mandap has been designed like a ‘Kotha’ – the usual living quarters of the sex workers. The Durga idol is placed in the center of the Mandap, with figures of sexual harassers and rapists lying dead and defeated at her feet. This unique set up was conceptualized by artist Manas Roy, and the idol was sculpted by Parimal Pal.
While every day we are hearing stories of #metoo, the plight of sex workers and their #metoo stories are suppressed, ignored, hated and unheard because they are doing this as a profession. Their pain and exploitation are considered as their own wilful choice and not the circumstances under which they are forced to opt for this profession. The evil of sexual harassment being destroyed by the Shakti is a brilliant way to spread the social message through festivities.
The second concept is an attempt to include transgenders and other marginalized communities in the festivities without stigma, shame or harassment.
Though the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, decriminalizing a part of IPC section 377 has given relief and freedom to this marginalized community, social acceptance is still a distant dream. Ranjita Sinha, a member of the West Bengal Transgender Board and a transgender activist has organized a Durga Puja in her residence at Gokhale Road which is unique in every sense.
The community members have chosen an idol of Durga which symbolizes the whole concept of Ardhanarishwar (half male and half female). This has been created by the members under the guidance of Kumartuli idol makers.
Pujas and other socio-cultural events have often excluded people belonging to the marginalised community. For years they have not been allowed to participating in the events. However, in this new ‘themed’ Durga puja, everything from food, decorations, cultural activities and many other aspects of the puja are looked after by trans men or trans women.
It is an attempt by Ranjitha and her team members to break the shackles of age-old tradition based on hierarchy and patriarchy to establish a ‘sarbojonin’ (everyone) Durga Puja in its truest sense. While this year the Puja only constitutes 70 odd people, from next year Ranjita wishes to make the affair even bigger. May these concepts grow and generate the positive message of acceptance and inclusion in our society.
Though I miss being in Kolkata during Durga Puja, such news always makes me feel as if the shakti of Maa Durga is bringing about change by defeating the evils of our society.
Image Source – Flickr, Ramakrishna Math.
I am a law graduate, but right now enjoying being home maker and a doting mom to my five year old son. I like to write, expressions through words as words in itself are soul read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
What lessons will we learn from the wrestlers' protest? Will the young girls have the courage to speak up against evil after they hear the deafening silence of support for the Betis?
On the 28th of May, Indian wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Bajrang Punia and others were forcibly evicted from their protest site at Jantar Mantar. They were arrested, and severe charges were slapped against them.
Newspapers, that a few years ago, had carried photographs of these wrestlers proudly holding their medals draped in the Indian flag, were now splashed with photographs of these wrestlers being forcibly dragged into police buses. The wrestlers were protesting against Brij Bhushan Singh, an MP and president of the Wrestling Foundation of India, accusing him of sexual misconduct.
A similar case of molestation rocked US gymnastics a few years ago, where Larry Nassar, the team doctor, was accused and finally convicted of sexual abuse. The victims included Olympic medallist Simone Biles. During the trial, several lapses by the USAG and MSU in investigating the accusations came in front.
My supervisor introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As a transwoman navigating the corporate world, I had encountered my fair share of discrimination and challenges. Transitioning without the support of my parents and having limited friendships in my personal life made the journey difficult and lonely. However, when I stepped into the office, something remarkable happened, I left behind the stress and negativity, embracing a space where I could truly be myself.
Joining the marketing team as a graphic designer, I was initially apprehensive about how my colleagues would react to my gender identity. But to my surprise, the atmosphere was welcoming and respectful from day one. My supervisor, Sarah, introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As I settled into my role, I discovered that my colleagues went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and included. They consistently used my correct name and pronouns, creating an environment where I could be authentically me. Being an introvert, making friends wasn’t always easy for me, but within this workplace, I found a supportive community that embraced me for who I truly am. The workplace became a haven where I could escape the stresses of my personal life and focus on my professional growth.
Please enter your email address