Turning Pages: Tezpur ’s Bookish Durga Puja Pandal
Discover the unique Durga Puja pandal in Tezpur, Assam, designed as a library with over 1,500 Assamese books. This creative celebration promotes reading and Assamese literature, highlighting the cultural significance of the classical language during the festive season.
Ah, what a cracking morning indeed! And no, it’s not because I’ve had an extra strong cuppa or managed to squeeze into last year’s trousers. The real treat today comes courtesy of the Assam Tribune, which has served up some rather delightful news about a Durga Puja pandal in Tezpur, Assam. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “A Puja pandal? Seen one, seen ’em all, right?” Well, not quite, because this one is quite the literary marvel!
Picture this: a Durga Puja pandal fashioned into the form of a grand library, all in the heart of Tezpur. Yes, you read that right. A pandal, made of books, to inspire the youth to put down their smartphones and pick up a good ol’ fashioned paperback. In an age where binge-watching has become a national sport, the organisers have taken it upon themselves to remind the younger generation of the sheer magic hidden within the pages of Assamese literature—especially poignant now that Assamese has been given the prestigious status of a classical language. Kudos to them, I say!
The pandal, located at Durga Bari Sarbajanin Durga Puja site in Bhairab Nagar Tila, is not just any old bookish display. This year, under the artistic vision of Tapas Das and his merry band of organisers, they’ve transformed it into a veritable world of books. And it’s not merely for show either—over 1,500 Assamese literary gems have been carefully placed throughout the pandal. Talk about turning over a new leaf!
But the creativity doesn’t stop there, oh no. The pathway leading to this glorious homage to the written word stretches 200 metres and is also lined with books, making the walk to the pandal a bibliophile’s dream. No chance of missing this literary wonder among the 150-odd Puja pandals in the district; it’s quickly become the talk of the town—and rightfully so!
What’s more, this grand gesture towards promoting literature hasn’t come from a bigwig sponsorship deal or a flashy brand campaign. No, the whole community in the region has come together, contributing both their hard-earned cash and their labour to bring this project to life. It’s a brilliant example of how a shared love of culture can unite people for a greater cause. In years past, the pandal has seen its share of creative constructions, with materials ranging from mud, bamboo, and even bicycle rims, but this year’s concept is, quite literally, a page-turner.
As the young’uns make their way through this literary labyrinth, there’s no doubt they’ll be inspired to dive into Assamese literature. With its newly minted classical language status, there’s never been a better time to explore its rich history, vibrant stories, and the many voices that have shaped the cultural identity of the region.
So, here’s to the good folks of Tezpur! They’ve taken the Durga Puja tradition and given it a splendid, bookish twist, reminding us all that in a world full of distractions, there’s still something rather special about getting lost in a good book. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll be dusting off my library card—after all, it’s high time I revisited some classics myself, don’t you think?
Toodle-pip!
To read the original article click HERE.
Information and Cover Picture sources The Assam Tribune.
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