In pictures: Indian Museum’s first-ever Durga Puja is a tribute to kantha, handicraft and heritage

The courtyard of the Indian Museum has been transformed into a celebration of India’s rich handicraft heritage as it hosts its first-ever Durga Puja in collaboration with the non-profit organisation She Kantha, as a part of the latter’s project ‘Devi Durga: Shakti, Matri, Karuna’, celebrating its 40 years. 

At the heart of the celebration is Kantha, the traditional hand-embroidery textile craft of Bengal, and the artisans whose painstaking labour, skill and countless hours of dedication breathe life into every stitch.

The idol is crafted by the Kumartuli artist Santo Pal – who envisioned Durga in a traditional form and gave it a rustic clay finish with red sari draped around. 

Adding to the royal splendour, the deity is adorned with exclusive antique gold jewellery inspired by traditional designs from the 18th and 19th centuries. The crown and chalchitra are crafted from delicately fashioned shola, lending the idol a distinctive traditional finish.

The pandal is an elaborative display of gold jewellery showcased from the museum’s treasured collection, tracing the history and evolution of jewellery in the Indian subcontinent. 

The Puja theme pays tribute to the kantha artisans of India. Mahima Varma, daughter of She Kantha director and co-founder Malika Dudeja Varma, said that at a time when fast fashion is sweeping the contemporary market, traditional Indian embroidery continues to preserve its originality and remains a powerful expression of the country’s rich cultural heritage on a global stage.

“Every kantha is a visual tale of India. If you look around this pandal, you can get a glimpse of the country’s diversity. From nature and mythology to the Indian Freedom movement, artisans stitch narratives that reflect the times they live in, preserving them for future generations as a tapestry of history and stories,” Varma told My Kolkata. 

Every nook of the pandal has an elaborative display of kantha works. In fact the centre stage where the idol is installed is also adorned with kantha stitch works bridging custom and craft in a single thread. 

Hundreds of women spent weeks crafting this massive installation, using traditional stitches to weave together individual memories and a shared cultural history. 

Each quilt serves as a vast canvas depicting significant narratives from India’s past, including episodes from the Ramayana, tales of Mahishasuramardini, different forms of Durga, and scenes of gardens and forests. One corner of the installation was also dedicated to a senior weaver who spent five years creating a quilt in memory of her father, a veteran freedom fighter.

Pandal-hoppers can also browse the stalls showcasing an array of handcrafted gift items, from Patachitra-inspired home decor to wooden owls from Bardhaman, with GI-tagged products highlighting the region’s rich artisanal heritage.

But why at the Indian Museum? 

“This place has been an epicentre of history, carefully preserving artefacts from different eras. Kantha, too, is a testament to history, playing a significant role in enriching India’s cultural heritage. So, what better way to pay homage to this craft than in the courtyard of Kolkata’s historic hub?” Varma signed off.