Durga Puja 2023: In West Bengal’s Kolkata, the sex' workers of Sonagachi, Asia's largest red light area, have taken a unique approach to this year’s Durga Puja, celebrating with special theme "Amader Pujo, Amrai Mukh" (Our Puja, Our face). They've decided to make themselves the face of their own puja due to the unwillingness of celebrities to participate in their Puja celebration. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Sonagachi pandal. The Durga Puja celebration was first held here in 2013.
While there's considerable attention on the puja organised by Durbar in Sonagachi, there's a noticeable contrast. As Durga Puja approaches, posters for other prominent pujas start popping up throughout the city, featuring well-known actors and actresses with cheerful faces as puja ambassadors. However, despite the enthusiasm for the Sonagachi puja, none of the celebrities want to be its brand ambassador.
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Speaking to Jagran English, Bishakha Lashkar, the secretary of the sex' workers' organisation, 'Durbar Mahila Samiti', said, "Every year, we aim to choose a new theme for the puja to convey a message about the stigmas and societal discriminations. This year, we've chosen the theme 'Amar Puja, Amrai Mukh,' which means 'Our Puja, We Are the Face.' Since no one was willing to be the face of our celebration, we've decided to be the face ourselves. This theme delivers a message about fighting for our rights, and our desire for inclusivity in society."
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Members of the sex' workers' organisation 'Durbar Mahila Samiti', noted that society still largely stigmatises sex' workers. As a result, they decided to be the face of their own puja, sending a powerful message to challenge societal perceptions. While other big pujas in the city have celebrities as brand ambassadors on their posters, the Sonagachi puja stands out for its unique approach, where sex' workers are proud to be the face of their worship.
This trend is not confined to Kolkata alone. Sex' workers have initiated Durga Puja celebrations in Bishnupur, Durgapur, Asansol, and Basirhat, spreading the message that they are an integral part of society.
Traditionally, Durga Puja idol-making begins only after obtaining soil from this specific village, and despite this tradition, sex' workers are often kept separate from mainstream society. Their decision to embrace their own identity during Durga Puja is a powerful statement, challenging societal norms and stigmas associated with their profession.