Kolkata, Oct 16 A puja organiser in Kolkata’s Santoshpur area has chosen ‘Tandav’, Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance of destruction after Goddess Sati’s death, as the theme for their Durga puja pandal.
The Santoshpur Lake Pally pandal blended traditional Indian art with contemporary creativity and technology, using the story of King Daksha, Sati, and Shiva to highlight the enduring relevance of the age-old maxim, “Pride is the root of downfall,” said artist Rintu Das.
According to Hindu mythology, Daksha, one of the sons of Lord Brahma, disapproved of his daughter Sati’s marriage to Shiva, whom he regarded with contempt for his ascetic lifestyle and unconventional appearance.
Despite his opposition, Sati’s devotion to Shiva prevailed, and the two were married.
Daksha, however, continued to harbour resentment towards his son-in-law. In an act of deliberate humiliation, Daksha organised a grand sacrificial ceremony, known as the ‘Daksha Yajna’, inviting gods, sages and celestial beings but excluding Shiva and Sati.
Despite not being invited, Sati insisted on attending the ceremony at her father’s home.
There, Daksha allegedly insulted Shiva in public. Unable to bear the humiliation, Sati gave up her life in the sacrificial fire.
Enraged and grief-stricken by her death, Shiva unleashed his fury, manifesting his fierce warrior form, Virabhadra, who destroyed the sacrificial ceremony and beheaded Daksha.
Shiva then began his cosmic dance of destruction, Tandav, while carrying Sati’s lifeless body, according to the mythological account.
Daksha’s wife, Prasuti, subsequently appealed to Shiva to spare her husband. Shiva eventually relented, but as Daksha’s original head had been destroyed, he was restored to life with the head of a goat.
The episode serves as the central inspiration for the puja committee’s theme, which seeks to connect an ancient mythological narrative with contemporary social realities.
“Arrogance blinds people to their mistakes and prevents them from respecting opinions different from their own,” the concept note said, highlighting how the belief that one’s own viewpoint is the only truth can deepen social divisions.
The puja was inaugurated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari recently.
“In an increasingly technology-driven and competitive world, the installation will draw attention to what the organisers describe as the growing inability to accept differences of opinion, a tendency that can contribute to ideological polarisation, extremism, political violence and social unrest,” Puja committee official Somnath Das said.
The theme also underlines the importance of humility, empathy, compassion and mutual respect in sustaining relationships and maintaining social harmony.
Despite advances in technology and material progress, the fundamental values necessary for human coexistence remain unchanged, the organisers said.
Through ‘Tandav’, Santoshpur Lake Pally seeks to present a dialogue between mythology and modernity, tradition and technology, and destruction and creation, while reminding visitors that arrogance can ultimately lead to the downfall of individuals and societies.
(PTI News)
