Bringing home the societal dichotomy which invokes 'Durgashakti' but greets with silence birth of a daughter, Ray's 'Charulata' Madhabi Mukherjee says some things never change.
Speaking on the sidelines of 'Big Green Durga' campaign, the veteran actor said "women used to be considered as residents in three 'ghars' - aturghar (place of child birth in old households), 'ranna ghar' (kitchen), and above all swamir ghar (in-laws house) and used to be greeted with deathly silence after being born previously. That has changed, I feel proud at the sight of today's girls - looking so confident and stretching frontiers.
"But deep within there still lies the dichotomy," Madhabi, a favourite with most directors across different phases, said.
Madhabi, known for her aesthetic skills, recalled how she used to sketch Durga and other images since childhood and till this date.
"Would love to, but will I be allowed?" she replied when asked if she would draw a few strokes on the 'green durga' at a Salt Lake puja 'mandap' made of paper mache from recycled newspapers as part of the anti-lead, toxic waste campaign by the FM major.
Told that the smaller idol which will be worshipped will be of earth as per tradition with the 'green durga' occupying the stage will be more for reveller's viewing as part of the campaign, she said "May be, if they call me."
"We will be too honoured to invite Didi for making our non-earth, paper mache idol brighter and colourful," a Big FM spokesman said.
Legendary Bengali radio artiste Shrabanti Majumder said "This year the Ganapati in North-West London was immersed in Thames as it was made of paper pulp. In UK they don't allow earthen idol immersion in rivers but the Green Durga perhaps reminds us of our commitment towards nature. Without going against scripture there has to be a way out."
"Look the way the Lake (Rabindra Sarobar) looks polluted with water not as squeaky clean as previously," Madhabi said.
"We are on a massive collection drive of newspapers in 15 baroari pujas as well as residences and offices to involve the public in a true community puja spirit for a Greener earth so that we can celebrate the festival with equal fervour in another 100 years or so with Nature not turning its back," the organizers said.
