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Kolkata Durga Puja to Feature Chhattisgarh's Ramnami Community's 'Ram Tattoos'
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News18•25-09-2026, 17:45
Kolkata Durga Puja to Feature Chhattisgarh's Ramnami Community's 'Ram Tattoos'
- •A renowned Kolkata Durga Puja will showcase images of 'Ram tattoos' from Chhattisgarh's Ramnami community in its pandal.
- •The theme, 'Nishaan — the mark', highlights the Ramnami Samaj, whose story is gaining national recognition, especially after the documentary 'Ramnami' won a National Award.
- •The puja aims to bring the community's mark to the streets of Kolkata and global devotees via the Durga Puja Connect app.
- •The theme explores the centuries-old tradition of tattooing as a form of protest against social discrimination and caste-based exclusion, with tattoos of Lord Ram's name symbolizing protection and faith.
- •The Ramnami community, known for inking Lord Ram's name as a lifelong devotion and peaceful response to exclusion, will also feature a special musical composition by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
Key Questions Answered
The puja committee chose the Ramnami community of Chhattisgarh and their centuries-old tradition of 'Ram tattoos' as the heart of its theme titled 'Nishaan — the mark'.
Historically subjected to caste-based exclusion and denied entry into temples, the Ramnami community adopted tattooing the name of Lord Ram on their bodies as a peaceful form of protest and a lifelong expression of devotion.
The documentary titled 'Ramnami', directed by Bharatbala Ganapathy, won the Best Hindi Documentary award at the 72nd National Film Awards, which was presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
