Siliguri Pandal Theme: Impact of Divorce on Children
Rabindra Sangha in Siliguri uses its Durga Puja pandal to depict the emotional trauma children face during parental separation and divorce.
In a powerful move to highlight social issues, the Rabindra Sangha in Siliguri, West Bengal, has unveiled a unique theme for its Durga Puja pandal this year. Titled ‘Aami’ (Me or I), the installation aims to depict the profound emotional and mental impact that parental separation and divorce can have on a child's life.
A World in Flames: Portraying a Child's Trauma
The pandal is designed to walk visitors through the turbulent psychological journey of a child witnessing the breakdown of their family unit. According to Udayan Dasgupta, a spokesperson for Rabindra Sangha, the visual storytelling will begin outside the pandal structure.
Visitors will encounter a depiction of a child standing before a replica of the world, which will be represented as a burning sphere. This imagery symbolizes the destruction of the child's sense of security. As the parents—the figures the child trusts most—drift apart, the very foundation of the child's world effectively burns down.
The Courtroom of Judgment
The experience continues inside the pandal, where the narrative follows the child from birth through the escalating conflicts between the parents. In a striking artistic choice, the installation will feature a courtroom scene. In this setting, Goddess Durga will sit in judgment, while the child stands in the witness box.
The scene is intended to capture the child's desperate confusion and anxiety. Through the art, the child is depicted questioning their mother about their uncertain future, asking: “You caused them to separate; what will happen to me now? What will become of me?”
A Call for Compromise and Unity
The organizers behind Rabindra Sangha stated that the theme was inspired by the rising divorce rates and the devastating consequences marital discord has on children. The ultimate goal is to deliver a social message to couples.
“We want to convey a message through our pandal: we urge people to try even if it means compromising their ego a little, to see if they can stay together for the sake of their child,” Dasgupta explained.
Rabindra Sangha has a long-standing tradition of using its Durga Puja celebrations to address pressing social concerns. In previous years, the pandal has tackled themes such as:
- The issue of child labour
- Devotional themes centered on Lord Shiva
- The plight of residents in old-age homes
While the organizers acknowledge that the effectiveness of their message depends on the public, they remain committed to using their art to serve a greater social purpose.