Baguiati Rail Pukur United Club Celebrating 72 Years of Puja with ‘Shabdo’ – Featuring a 20-Feet Bird Installation

The Baguiati Rail Pukur United Club is all set to mesmerize visitors this Durga Puja with its thought-provoking theme for 2025 – “Shabdo” (The Sound). The theme explores the fading sounds of nature and everyday life that once defined our existence but are now vanishing amidst urban chaos. This year marks the 72nd year of Durga Puja celebrations by the Club, making the occasion even more memorable.

Once upon a time, bird calls were an inseparable part of our daily rhythm. As dawn broke, the chirping of birds welcomed the rising sun, and at dusk, their calls announced the homecoming hour. Even in the silence of the night, owls and nocturnal birds pierced the stillness with their voices. Today, however, such sounds are rarely heard.

Through this theme, the club highlights how rapid urbanization, rampant tree felling, and the construction of concrete high-rises have destroyed natural habitats. Birds, who depended on trees for shelter, are gradually disappearing – and with them, their voices too. The club reminds us that humanity’s unchecked dominance over nature is pushing us towards irreversible ecological loss, a price that future generations will have to pay dearly unless we act now.

To bring this message alive, the pandal will feature a series of striking installations – including a towering 20-feet-tall artistic representation of birds – symbolizing the grandeur of nature and its vanishing presence in our urban lives. Complemented by immersive soundscapes, the experience will also include mime performances, portraying the inner voice of birds and their silent plea to humankind.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gourab Biswas, Committee Member of Baguiati Railpukur United Club, said, “Our theme ‘Shabdo’ is not just an artistic creation; it is a reflection of our collective conscience. The sounds of birds and nature, once inseparable from our daily lives, are fading away due to unchecked urbanization. Through this theme, we wish to remind society that these voices are not mere background music; they are the heartbeat of our environment. If we do not act today, tomorrow’s world will be left in silence. Durga Puja is not only about celebration, but also about awareness, responsibility, and the awakening of humanity.”

The creative vision of “Shabdo” is being brought to life by a talented team of artists and craftsmen. The theme has been conceptualized and artistically designed by Somnath Tamli, while the idol of the Goddess is being sculpted by Debprasad Hazra. The enchanting play of light and shadow will be directed by Dipankar Dey, adding depth to the pandal’s ambience. To give voice to the silent cries of birds, mime artists Shubhendu Mukhopadhyay and Kaushik Biswas will deliver powerful performances. The magnificent pandal is being constructed under the expertise of Bapi Das, with Samiran Jana handling cinematography and editing to capture every detail of this grand creation. Supporting this vision are Poulami Bose with in-depth research work, Faruk Shaikh with drawing and designing, and Debayan Banerjee with sound and music.

With “Shabdo”, Baguiati Rail Pukur United Club not only celebrates its 72nd year of Durga Puja but also delivers a cautionary tale – urging society to protect what remains of our natural world before silence completely replaces the symphony of life.