Durga Puja, TV reality shows and real-life Gods and Goddesses

With the growing popularity of TV reality shows, a new fad has taken hold of Bengalis who can now show off not only their talent but also beauty – beauty is no longer skin deep but it goes right into the soul. Fashion conscious Bengalis use the annual extravaganza of Durga Puja to take on roles of the Gods and Goddesses to get recognized in their circle of friends and relatives and, the TV channels provide them with ample opportunities.
Yes – the channels announce annual rituals of selecting real life Goddess Durga, her daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati and sons Kartik and Ganesha. Then there is the demon King Asura and, of course, Lord Shiva.

Once the competitions are announced, the hopefuls would send across their photographs and, the problem usually is with those who want to enact the roles of Lord Ganesha and demon King Asura. While Ganesha is potbellied, Asura is the reincarnation of the Devil himself, and, hence, must appear to be menacing enough to instill fear in the minds of others. Obviously, the number of contestants would not be very many in these categories.
The real problem lies in selecting the Goddesses and, the beauticians take over to ensure that their protégés get the ultimate recognition.
Participating in such reality shows requires not only luck but plenty of determination and hard work because, one has to go through the primary selection from hundreds of hopefuls. And, in order to give them the necessary confidence, they have to go through the grooming schedule – and, such courses do not come free.
The bottom line is that Durga Pujas throw up innumerable options to make money and there is no dearth of enterprising individuals who never let such opportunities go a-begging. (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-
Skywalk planned by UP tourism department to connect Taj Mahal with Agra Fort

Undaunted by a target of 200, South Africa romp home in Dharamsala with two balls to spare

After yoga, central government promotes outdoor sports like jungle safari, rafting


Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to promote tourism in Bengal

Sunny Leone is a guest at the PETA US’ 35th anniversary gala at the Hollywood Palladium

X-Files, Scully and Mulder to return on January 24th after a 13-year-break


ISIS harvesting organs of healthy individuals to treat the injured jihadists

US airstrike targets a hospital in Kunduz instead of Taliban outposts – 9 Doctors Without Borders members killed

Russia carries out airstrikes in Syria – targets CIA-backed rebels instead of ISIS


Durga Puja is the busiest time of the year for Kumortuli

Puja Special issues of Bengali magazines

Durga Puja today is a commercial venture