Adani Group’s Durga Puja preview has earmarked funding for eight shortlisted pandals across Kolkata, a move that will cover design, materials and the artisans’ living costs.
In Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha, Debashish Barui said the theme "sodhon"—the ecological balance between nature and man—was realized because the preview money let him keep his original design, which includes light and sound projections.
Artists such as Dipankar Das and Somnath Chakraborty, who have worked on pandals for 13 and 10 years respectively, rely on the preview grant to cover travel, accommodation and craft supplies for the three months of construction.
The preview also introduced QR codes and sign‑language videos to make the pandals accessible to visually and hearing‑impaired visitors, signaling a push for inclusive cultural experiences.
Officials say the funding could set a precedent for the state to support similar projects next year, potentially expanding support for artisans beyond Kolkata.