Bengal as we all know, is a beautiful land of diversified and rich cultural heritage & traditions. The State Government gives due recognition to every religion, as a result of which, each religion is able to uphold its true flavour through innumerable local practices and festivals throughout the State. Durga Puja the festival of Bengal has emerged as a different festival since the year 2013, when the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal had introduced the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman Awards to motivate,acknowledge and duly recognise the best puja(s) and their creators in urban and rural Bengal. Since Durga Puja is one of the most popular festivals signifying the indigenous cultural identity of our State along with the Navratri celebrations in the entire country, the State Government has come forward to showcase our State by presenting the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman to add to the grandeur of the festival not only in West Bengal and India but also throughout the world, thereby enhancing the true identity of Bengal in a universal concept. The world is not complete with Bengal and her bounty of celebrations,it is Bengal who leads the whole world in bringing hearts closer and Biswa Bangla thus holds people together under a single roof of grand festival like the Durga Puja.
The Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman propounds the idea of encouraging creativity and aesthetics; ensures mass participation of the people of the State and abroad in one of the greatest festivals of the world. The awards under the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman are a true reflection of how creativity, tradition, people's longing for collective celebration get together and achieve the true colour and spirit of the human race.Over the years,the award has showcased, boosted and reached to the hundreds of our traditional craftsman all over the State and helped uphold them at the international level.
Durga Puja in Kolkata has been recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity(Click To View The Certificate). To celebrate the occasion and as a gesture of thanks giving to UNESCO, the State Government had organised a gala procession on 1st September, 2022 which was led by Honourable Chief Minister, attended by dignitaries and joined in by people from all walks of life including the clubs who organise the Puja throughout the length and breadth of the city. The procession started from Jorasanko and culminated at Red Road, the venue of the felicitation programme, where representatives of UNESCO graced the stage. Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee felicitated the representatives of UNESCO there followed by a cultural programme. Colourful banners, dancers, drummers, props, umbrellas, participants dressed in quintessential Bengali attire gave the procession a carnival look. The representatives of UNESCO seemed more than overwhelmed at what unfurled before them. Similar processions were also organised in all the districts of the state with same enthusiasm. The processions flagged off the festivities exactly a month ahead of the Durga Puja.
Willing participatory puja committees may download the form and also the banner , for display in their puja pandals.
Participating Pujos may download the high-resolution file of the
banner by clicking on the button below. Kindly ensure that it is
printed in a 2:1 ratio.
