Artisans of Devotion — A visual story.
In the heart of New Delhi’s bustling streets, where the urban chaos meets the resolute spirit of tradition, lies a story waiting to be told.
My interest in “Behind the Scenes” is not new. Even as a kid, I used to open up all my toys with a screwdriver, in order to figure out what really made them do what they do. Following similar principles, I decided to head out exploring the BTS of the world famous Durga Puja Pandals in heart of New Delhi at Chittaranjan Park.
The grounds that look so empty today, are about to experience the largest footfall ever. To avoid any safety concerns or inconvenience, committees and action teams have been working day in and out.
But who to actually thank for the magnificent makeover of the entire C.R. Park colony and the Pandals, that the city so boasts with pride around the country? Who are those artists that everybody loves very much for their art and skills, but possibly not enough to know them a little more closely?
As I traveled from one pandal to another, I captured some brief conversations with the workers and artists inside my mind and heart.
They will be working there for another 10 days, putting up the magnanimous displays, piece by piece, foam by foam.
Most of them hail from West Bengal and, almost all of them, toil away in the fields most of the year only to return to C.R. Park during the festive season.
Here, they invest their hearts and hands in creating some of the most breathtaking depictions of Goddess Durga in local Pandals.
What I discovered was a testament to the enduring human spirit and the silent satisfaction derived from meeting the growing needs of a community.
These workers are the real deal, silently satisfying the growing needs of a burgeoning population. Their lives are a testament to the determination of the human spirit, as they labor relentlessly, often for meager wages, to support their families and communities. It’s a difficult existence, marked by long hours, uncertain futures, and separation from loved ones.
In the weeks leading up to Durga Puja, these workers will don the roles of artists, sculptors, and decorators. With skillful hands and boundless creativity, they will transform clay into intricate idols and bring to life the stories of persistence and commitment. The real commitment of keeping the promise they made to their kids back home.
The Pandals, temporary structures that house the deities during the festival, will become their canvas, and the streets, their stage.
Photographs shot on Fujifilm X-T5 by Rishabh Saxena.
