Behind the spectacle: Can Durga Puja thrive without its informal economy?
Durga Puja is more than a religious celebration. Rooted in Bengal’s informal economy and sustained by community initiative, it faces questions about cultural identity, political control and corporate capital. Can the festival preserve its inclusive character amid changing political and economic realities?
Ahead of this year’s Sharad Utsav—or rather, Durga Puja—a curious question has left Bengalis scratching their heads: How many arms does Maa Durga have? Going by the different representations of the goddess on posters, banners and government advertisements across Kolkata, some bewildered Bengalis are reportedly turning to ChatGPT in search of clarity on whether Maa Durga is, in fact, ten-armed goddess she is traditionally believed to be.
Other pertinent questions include whether it is safe to sec...
