The Divine Tango
The new moon of Karthik is nearing and the nights are getting darker to set the stage for the cosmic interplay between Shiva and Shakti. Idol makers from Kumartuli are immortalizing a moment in myth from memory that has been handed down to them from the mists of time – Kali accidental stepping on Shiva as she danced with abandon on a pile of demon corpses. This is not the stuff of vanilla romances one sees on billboards regularly. It's messy, violent, embarrassing and complicated. But it works. I hope this Kali Puja, you take a moment to reflect on the tangos you tango. The owl would like to leave you with some wise advice “That’s what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, get all tangled up, just tango on” - Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, Scent of a Woman (1992)
Until next time,
The Observant Owl
P.S. if you want to talk to this owl you can write and email to talk2owl@gmail.comKolkataCalcuttaBengalKali PujaShivaShaktiKumartuli
From An Owl's Eye View
Walking through the Looking Glass
Flying, walking, the owl isn't big on quibbling on semantics. Flying into Kumartuli before Durga Puja feels like walking through the Looking Glass into a bizarre and wondrous place. The whole neighborhood hums with activity. Disembodied parts of colossal giants are being shaped according to a grand design that only the head-kumhar knows.
The owl is tempted to think that 'not knowing' is better. 'Not knowing' gives you the creative license to re-imagine the parts into a different whole. You're like Gulliver on his travels (or was it travails?) or like Alice chasing a rabbit. For a little fly-by with the owl, click here:
Through the Looking Glass
http://www.anobservantowl.in/Portfolio/Photo-Essay/Galleries/Through-the-looking-glass
If you feel like going on a little trip of your own after this, you can "Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar has given you the call" just like Jefferson Airplane.
Until Next Time
The Observant Owl
P.S. if you want to talk to this owl you can write and email to talk2owl@gmail.comkolkataCalcuttaBengalDurga PujaKumartuli
From An Owl's Eye View
On namesakes
It is that time of the year again when the Owl City is all agog with the sound of dhaakis playing drums. Bengalis celebrate the annual homecoming of the Mother, who is also considered the daughter of the household. She is welcomed with much fanfare and with equal ritual and rivalry her image is immersed in the river. And then, no one bothers with her; she lays there abandoned on the banks and slowly disintegrates.
This frame from Kumartuli is evocative because it is a flesh-and-blood illustration; on the right, in foreground is Durga, now sad and decrepit. On the left, in the background are fresh idols of Durga waiting to be brought to life, only to be forgotten in the end.
Until next time,
The Observant Owl.
P.S. if you want to talk to this owl you can write and email to talk2owl@gmail.comDeviDurgaPujaPujoBengalCalcuttaKolkataKumartuli
From An Owl's Eye View