Kolkata, Sep 20 (PTI) A Durga Puja committee in south Kolkata issued an apology on Sunday after its theme poster triggered controversy, with several people alleging that it was disrespectful towards late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
The Behala Young Men’s Association said there was no intention to insult or ridicule the legendary musician through the poster that featured an image of a tabla accompanied by the Bengali caption “Fakir Hussain”.
“We had only intended to present a childlike representation in keeping with this year’s theme. We had no intention of belittling or making fun of any legendary personality like him, who had a connection with Kolkata. If this has hurt any artiste or individual, we unreservedly apologise,” the committee said
in a statement.
The puja’s theme this year is “Chhuti” (holiday), exploring the contrast between childhood imagination and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), it said.
The theme seeks to recreate a time when children could immerse themselves in their imagination simply by looking at clouds, an experience the organisers believe is gradually disappearing, it added.
Artist Sanatan Dinda, who is working on the idol and the pandal, said he had no role in preparing the controversial poster.
Dinda said he was working on the idol and pandal decoration based on his own artistic concept, and that the poster was not part of his work. PTI SUS SOM
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