Now that Durga Puja is over, it’s time for awards. For the last few years, the government of West Bengal has been giving away the Biswa Bangla Sharod Samman awards. These have been some of the most popular awards given to Durga Puja organisers. These awards are also the most wide-ranging: there are categories for Kolkata, the rest of Bengal, the rest of India and the rest of the world, the last two categories being added in this year.
Best of Kolkata
The names of the best among the Kolkata Durga Pujas have been announced. The rest of the winners are to be announced soon. There are 11 categories for Kolkata, the most number, Kolkata being the Mecca of Durga Puja. A total of 750 pandals were judged, from which 59 were awarded in the 11 categories. Six clubs got the first prize in the Sherar Shera category – Chetla Agrani Sangha, Suruchi Sangha, 75 Pally in Bhawanipore, Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha, Naktala Udayan Sangha, Dhakuria Sarbojonin (Babubagan).
An interesting fact is that 25 Pally Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee in Khidderpore is the only club to bag two awards – the second prizes in the Shera Pratima and Shera Abishkar categories.
SHERAR SHERA (‘Best of the best’)
First
Chetla Agrani Sangha, Suruchi Sangha, 75 Pally in Bhawanipore, Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha, Naktala Udayan Sangha, Dhakuria Sarbojonin (Babubagan)
Second
Vivekananda Park Athletic Club, Tala Baroari
Third
Chakraberia Sarbojonin Durgotsav
SHERA MANDAP (‘Best pandal’)
First
Tridhara Sammilani, FD Block in Salt Lake
Second
Mudiali
Third
Ultadanga Sangrami, Behala Natun Dal
SHERA PRATIMA (‘Best idol’)
First
Selimpur Pally Durgotsav, Hatibagan Sarbojonin
Second
Udayan Pally Sarbojonin, 25 Pally Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee in Khidderpore, Mitali in Manicktala
Third
Behala Buroshibtala Janakalyan, Shikdar Bagan, Bosepukur Talbagan
SHERA ALOKSAJJA (‘Best lighting’)
First
Santoshpur Trikon Park
Second
Behala Mukul Sangha, Simla Sporting Club
Third
College Square, Adarsha Pally Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee
SHERA BHABNA (‘Best thought’)
First
Avenue South Pallymangal Committee, Kalighat Milan Sangha
Second
Adi Ballygunge, Sanghasree
Third
Rupchand Mukherjee Lane, Alapi
SHERA PARIBESHBANDHAB (‘Most environment-friendly’)
First
Baghbazar Sarbojonin
Second
Barisha Yubak Brinda
Third
Satpukur Sarbojonin Durgotsav, Haridevpur Vivekananda Sporting Club
SHERA SHILPI (‘Best artist’)
First
Ajeya Sanghati, Jodhpur Park 95 Pally
Second
Beltala Road Shakti Sangha, Telengabagan Sarbojonin
Third
Beltala Bakulbagan
SHERA ABISHKAR (‘Best newcomer’)
First
Alipore Sarbojonin
Second
Nalin Sarkar Street in Hatibagan, 25 Pally Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee in Khidderpore
Third
Bhawanipore Muktidal, Vivekananda Youth Club, Kolahal
SHERA ABAHA (‘Best surroundings’)
First
Samaj Sebi
Second
66 Pally
Third
Shibmandir Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee
SHERA BRANDNG (‘Best branding’)
First
Bosepukur Sitala Mandir
Second
Barisha Club
Third
Santoshpur Lake Pally, Hindustan Park
SHERA DHAKESHRI (‘Best dhakis’)
First
41 Pally Club
Second
Diamond Park Sarbojonin Durgotsav
Third
Badamtala Ashar Sangha, Yuva Maitri
Lead image source: Biswa Bangla Sharod Samman Facebook page
