Durga Puja in Kolkata Celebrates Satyajit Ray’s Sonar Kella

Kolkata’s festive spirit has merged with cinematic nostalgia this Durga Puja, as Ballygunge 71 Pally Baisakhi Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity marks its 59th year with a theme that pays tribute to Satyajit Ray’s cult classic, Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress).

"A Durga Puja in Kolkata is celebrating auteur Satyajit Ray's movie that not only heralded the Feluda phenomenon on celluloid, which still continues half a century later, but also transformed the fortunes of a city and catapulted an unheralded fort into a star tourist attraction."

The organisers have aptly titled the theme In Search of Hidden Treasure, commemorating the golden jubilee of Ray’s 1974 film that introduced the Feluda franchise on the silver screen.

"Released in 1974, Sonar Kella introduced the iconic trio of Feluda (Prodosh Mitter), Topshe alias Satellite, and Lalmohan Babu alias Jatayu on the silver screen, securing their place in the hearts of Bengalis." The legendary detective stories of Feluda were already adored by millions in print, but this film gave life to the characters. Soumitra Chatterjee portrayed the sharp-witted Feluda, Siddhartha Chatterjee appeared as cousin Topshe, and Santosh Dutta immortalized the comic yet endearing Lalmohan Ganguly.

At Bondel Road, near Ballygunge Phari, the pandal has been designed under the guidance of artist Raju Sarkar, who has meticulously recreated the magic of Ray’s classic. "Ballygunge 71 Pally honours this milestone under the guidance of artist Raju Sarkar, bringing Satyajit's legacy to life at the pandal on Bondel Road off Ballygunge Phari."

Not just the 60-ft-high ramparts of Jaisalmer’s fort, Sarkar has gone a step further—using neighbouring houses as living canvases to paint scenes and characters from the movie. "Not only has Sarkar recreated 60-ft-high ramparts of the fort at the pandal, but he has also used neighbouring houses as a canvas to depict scenes and characters from the movie that is still a favourite among both children and adults."

The pandal experience immerses visitors in moments etched in Bengali pop culture memory. "Among the scenes that audiences will revisit is that of a steam train chugging through the desert with the trio on camel-back making a futile attempt to halt the train to board it." To heighten the nostalgia, the signature background score and Ray’s unforgettable dialogues will be played, recreating the cinematic aura.

Cutouts of Feluda, Topshe, Jatayu, child protagonist Mukul, villain Mandar Bose, and Amiyanath Barman (who posed as Dr. Hazra) have been mounted across nearby buildings, accompanied by memorable one-liners. Inside, the décor echoes Mukul’s childlike sketches, with the Durga idol itself carrying a doll-like aesthetic. "The interior of the pandal is in child art, taking off from the paintings that Mukul did till late in the night. Even the idol has a doll-like appearance in keeping with the interior decor."

This is not the first time Durga Puja has found inspiration in Ray’s works. Over the past few years, organisers across the city have drawn on the maestro’s films to weave themes blending art, cinema, and culture. Last year, Tala Baroari recreated Hirak Rajar Deshe, while in 2020 Sib Mandir drew from Devi, and Badamtala Ashar Sangha reimagined Nishchindipur village from Pather Panchali. In 2022, Ray’s 101st birth anniversary saw multiple pujas celebrate his cinematic brilliance — from Baranagar’s Nainan Bandhab Samity depicting Pather Panchali characters to Hazra Udayan Sangha spotlighting Ray’s women-centric narratives in Devi Pokkho. The Tollygunge Adi Durga Mancha, one of Kolkata’s oldest pujas, even transformed its pandal into a music room inspired by Jalsaghar.

By celebrating Sonar Kella, Ballygunge 71 Pally not only honours Ray’s legacy but also reminds the city of the enduring connection between Durga Puja, culture, and Bengali identity.