66 Pally, a highly revered and longstanding Durga Puja celebration committee in South Kolkata, is marking its 76th year in 2025 with a distinctive theme that brings the vibrant cultural heritage of Kerala to the city’s festival scene. This year, the pandal is dedicated to the “Shaktirupa – The Mystic Divine” theme, which artfully blends spirituality, folklore, and mysticism through the traditional Kerala art form of Theyyam.
Theme and Artistic Highlights
The mystic and divine energy of Shakti is at the heart of the pandal’s design. Theyyam performances, an ancient ritualistic art form from Kerala involving elaborate costumes, face painting, and trance-like dances, form a significant part of the cultural programming. True to tradition, artists have been brought directly from Kerala to perform live, offering festival-goers an immersive experience not commonly found in Kolkata’s Puja scene.
Artist Gopal Poddar heads the creative creation of the pandal, showcasing dramatic visual storytelling that captures the rich cultural symbolism of Theyyam alongside the avatar of Maa Durga. The pandal is adorned with vibrant colors, intricate decorations, and a mystical aura representing divine feminine energy.
Public and Cultural Reception
The theme’s distinctive Kerala flavor and live Theyyam shows have created significant buzz among Durga Puja enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs. Social media videos and posts highlight the pandal’s unique appeal, combining traditional Bengal Puja devotion with South Indian folk artistry, attracting both young and seasoned visitors.
66 Pally’s reputation for creativity and its centennial celebration theme makes it one of the top must-visit pandals in the South Kolkata Durga Puja circuit in 2025, drawing both art lovers and cultural tourists alike.
