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Kolkata Durga Puja Committee Apologizes for "Fakir Hussain" Poster Controversy
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News18•20-09-2026, 20:45
Kolkata Durga Puja Committee Apologizes for "Fakir Hussain" Poster Controversy
- •A Durga Puja committee in south Kolkata, Behala Young Men’s Association, issued an apology after its theme poster sparked controversy.
- •The poster featured a tabla with the Bengali caption "Fakir Hussain," which many alleged was disrespectful to late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
- •The committee stated there was no intention to insult Zakir Hussain, explaining it was a "childlike representation" for their "Chhuti" (holiday) theme.
- •This year's theme explores the contrast between childhood imagination and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI).
- •Artist Sanatan Dinda, involved with the idol and pandal, clarified he had no role in creating the controversial poster.
Key Questions Answered
The Behala Young Men's Association apologised after their theme poster featured a tabla and a caption reading “Fakir Hussain,” which many people alleged was disrespectful toward late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
The theme for the puja is “Chhuti” (holiday), which explores the contrast between childhood imagination and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
No, artist Sanatan Dinda clarified that he had no role in preparing the poster and that it was not part of his work on the idol and pandal decoration.
