Unique culture: Cuttack's Muslim artisans make tableaux of Goddess Durga

The strength of the inter-community bond of Cuttack city is reflected in the fact that Muslims are an important part in the celebration of Durga Puja and many other Hindu festivals. Muslim artisans for years have been making gears for the goddess-like headgear, earrings etc made of golden threads called 'zari'.

Cuttack: The communal aspect of Cuttack city reflects its significance when people see the Muslims helping Hindus while celebrating Durga Puja.

This 'millennium city' of Odisha has set an example of communal harmony for years by making adornments for the goddess, like headgear and earrings etc.

Muslim artisans residing in the Banka Bazar of Cuttack city have been designing tableaux for generations and their works are in demand in the neighbouring states as well.

Undeterred by any religious intolerance, the Muslim artisans of the city have been designing the backdrop of the Durga Puja Pandal every year.

The special attraction of the Dussera festival in the city is that the lace works used in the making of the decorated tableaux which form the silvery backdrop of the ‘puja’ pandals are made by the members of Muslim families.

Zahir Khan, the artist carrying a family tradition forward which not only makes the Puja of the city beautiful and but also remarkable.

The family of Zahir khan have accepted this work of making the tableaux as a family profession for generations.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Zakir Khan said," The demand of tableaux made of lace works is no less in the present run for making tableaux of gold and silver. The decorated hand made tableaux made by my family members has a great demand in the markets of towns like Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur apart from Cuttack city. However, the number of orders received for making the tableaux in the current year has come down drastically because of restrictions imposed this year due to the coronavirus induced lockdown."

"Every year I used to get orders for 15 to 20 large-sized tableaux, but this year only a handful of orders for the same I have received. We have no such communal ill-feelings. As Durga Puja is a major festival here, we participate actively and work hard to make it a huge success. Not only Durga Puja, but we also decorate in many other Hindu festivals like Ganesh Puja, Kali Puja, Laxmi Puja, even the famous Rath Yatra," he said.

"Just a few days to go for the festival and my family members have started the work on making the tableaux. Due to Covid pandemic, this year my family is not feeling the same enthusiasm as it is deprived of getting the self-satisfaction of doing some service for the Mother Goddess Durga," said, Tanvir Khan, Zahir's brother.

"There is no difference between Hindus and Muslims. Dussehra is in no way less than Eid. All give donations voluntarily in both the festivals. We celebrate the Puja as Muslims and Hindus are like brothers and sisters. But we had never experienced such a situation which we are facing now because of restrictions imposed by the administration due to the pandemic," Tanvir said.

In Cuttack, people are spreading a message of communal harmony and brotherhood in their unique style. And here, Muslim artisans lend their skills in constructing marquees during Durga Puja.