Staff Reporter : Kolkata, 10th September 2026: As Bengal prepares to welcome Maa Durga, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata brought together the artisans and craftspeople who give shape, light and rhythm to the state’s most celebrated festival through ‘Pujor Rupokar 2.0’, an initiative dedicated to honouring the unsung creators behind Durga Puja. The event brought together artisans from Kumartuli, Chandannagar’s light artisans, dhakis and secretaries from pandal associations recognising their invaluable contribution to Bengal’s cultural heritage.
Durga Puja, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, is much more than a festival for Bengal. Behind the grandeur of thousands of pandals, beautifully crafted idols, elaborate lighting and the unmistakable beats of the dhak are generations of artisans whose skill, perseverance and creativity bring the celebrations to life.
The programme commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting ceremony, attended by the leadership of Manipal Hospitals Kolkata, the President of the Kumartuli Association, and respected doctors from across the various units of the hospital group in Kolkata. This was followed by a special Devi welcome act by the nursing team. The event then featured a welcome address by Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director, Manipal Hospitals East, who acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the artisans and other creators who play a pivotal role in bringing Bengal’s grandest festival to life.
The welcome address was followed by a special felicitation ceremony honouring the artisans of Kumartuli, traditional dhakis and Chandannagar’s light artisans for their invaluable contribution to Bengal’s cultural heritage. Each honouree was presented with a memento and ceremonial shawl by the doctors. Among those felicitated were Kumartuli Sarbojonin office-bearers Mr. Samar Mitra, Secretary, and Mr. Debasish Bhattacharjee, Working President; Mr. Babu Paul, Mrit Shilpi and Assistant Secretary, Kumartuli Mrit Shilpi Sanskriti Samity; national award-winning mrit shilpis Ms. Mala Paul and Ms. Jhulan Paul; Probin Mrit Shilpi Mr. Nemai Paul; Asian Paints award-winning sculptors Mr. Nabo Paul, Mr. Soumen Paul and Mr. Sanatan Paul, along with Ms. Kakali Paul, Mr. Arup Paul, Mr. Pashupati Rudra Paul, Mr. Sanjay Paul, Mr. Ramit Paul, Mr. Indrajit Paul, Mr. Ranjit Sarkar, Mr. Bankim Paul, Mr. Dipankar Paul, Mr. Bhanu Rudra Pal, Mr. Sujit Pal, Mr. Pradip Dey, Mr. Rudrajit Paul, Mr. Subhas Paul and Mr. Samir Paul. Representatives of the pandal associations, Mr. Chandra Nath Dey, Secretary, and Mr. Sanu Biswas, Treasurer, along with Chandannagar light artisans Mr. Tapan Ghosh, Mr. Tapas Ghosh, Mr. Ashim Dey, Mr. Dibyendu Biswas and Mr. Amio Das, were also felicitated in recognition of their dedication and craftsmanship.
Dr. Dipankar Sarkar, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine & Critical Care, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, said, “During the busy months before Durga Puja, artisans often put their work ahead of their own health and may overlook basic warning signs. Maintaining adequate sleep, hydration and nutrition, while keeping conditions such as diabetes and hypertension under control, is essential. Even simple preventive measures can help them remain healthy through a physically demanding season.”
Dr. Smartya Pulai, Clinical Lead – Nephrology & Kidney Transplant, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, said, “Kidney health is often overlooked until a problem becomes significant. For artisans working long hours, especially in physically demanding conditions, maintaining adequate hydration and avoiding unnecessary or excessive use of painkillers are important preventive measures. Regular monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar is equally important, as these are major risk factors for kidney disease.”
Dr. Vaibhav Seth, Consultant, Neurology, Manipal Hospital Broadway and Salt Lake, said, “The combination of long working hours, physical exhaustion, stress and inadequate sleep can affect both mental and neurological wellbeing. Artisans should make time for adequate rest and should not ignore symptoms such as persistent headaches, unusual weakness, tingling or dizziness. Early medical assessment can help identify underlying concerns and ensure that minor symptoms do not progress into more serious problems.”
Dr. Anshu Sen, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, said, “Long hours of repetitive work, physical fatigue and disrupted sleep can affect neurological wellbeing. Symptoms such as persistent headaches, dizziness, numbness, weakness or changes in balance should never be ignored. Adequate sleep, hydration, regular breaks and timely neurological evaluation when symptoms persist can help protect their health while they continue their craft.”
Dr. Sujoy Das Thakur, Consultant and In-Charge, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur said, “The months leading up to Durga Puja are a period of intense physical and mental commitment for artisans, often leaving little room for rest. It is important to recognise that exhaustion, persistent pain or recurring health complaints are not simply part of the profession. Taking regular breaks, maintaining adequate nutrition and seeking timely medical advice can help prevent small health concerns from becoming prolonged problems.”
The programme culminated in a felicitation ceremony, where the participating doctors honoured the artisans of Kumartuli for their craftsmanship and contribution to Bengal’s cultural heritage. The presence of the Chandannagar light artisans and dhakis further highlighted the diverse community of creators who work behind the scenes to make Durga Puja the spectacle that it is.
Through ‘Pujor Rupokar 2.0’, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating not just the festival, but also the people behind it. The initiative seeks to shine a light on those whose creativity, craftsmanship and dedication continue to give Bengal’s biggest celebration its distinctive identity, while reminding them that those who create for the community must also find time to care for themselves.
About Manipal Hospitals:
Manipal Hospitals is one of India’s leading integrated healthcare providers serving ~ 8 million patients annually, focussed on providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services. Manipal’s integrated network today has a pan-India footprint of 50 hospitals with over 13,400 licensed beds across 14 States & Union Territories. The network is India’s largest multispecialty hospital network by bed capacity, supported by a talented pool of 11,000+ doctors and an employee strength of over 25,000. With a commitment to provide patient-centric care, Manipal Hospitals combines clinical expertise with advanced technology, research and innovation to serve a multitude of patients across the globe. Its continued focus on clinical quality and operational excellence is reflected in its NABH accreditation, with several of its hospitals also accredited by NABL and recognised for its excellence in nursing and emergency care.
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