Ajay Dutta displayed his work at Bholanath Dham
The tradition of releasing sky lanterns on Kali Puja is believed to have begun around 110 years ago with Gouri Shankar Dey of Hatkhola-Darjipara. Because obtaining the licence remained an issue, pK Mallick, who has been releasing handmade phanush for more than six decades from Dhar Villa near Hedua, shifted the event to another house in Goabagan. He released eight sky lanterns from there. “I make a Kali phanush and it is released on the day of Kali Puja. Since there was no clarity, I chose a low-height terrace and used four tall poles to control the phanush after they were released,” he said.
Though police from the local station did not stop him, Mallick said he did not want the owners of Dhar Villa to face inconvenience if questions were raised later. Dutta was distraught over the disruption and put up a poster announcing the untimely death of “Phanush Utsav” at Bholanath Dham. Since phanush is artwork, I have told everyone to come to my house, where I will showcase them,” said Dutta. Dutta said he had gone to Lalbazar to apply for the licence and was directed to several departments, including the arms and ammunition section and the fire department. Officials did not provide clear guidance, according to the family. Some said they were unaware of any process for issuing such a licence, while others advised him to approach the police.
But there was no reply. Since I did not get the licence, I decided not to release them into the sky. He also emailed the police commissioner and the director general of fire services and submitted copies to the local police station. Mallick, however, decided to go ahead with the release. I decided to release it anyway. Mallick, too, had written to the local police station, the commissioner and the director general of fire services, but did not receive permission. Families living in Hedua, many of whom had gathered on terraces to watch the spectacle, were disappointed. It grew as a quieter alternative to loud firecrackers.
“I tried my best to get permission and, in desperation, even tagged the chief minister in a social media post on Saturday.
Kolkata: A 102-year-old family tradition of releasing giant hand-crafted sky lanterns, or phanush, on Kali Puja came to an abrupt halt on Sunday after Ajay Dutta failed to obtain the licence the govt has made mandatory this year. Dutta had made 14 phanush for the occasion but chose not to release them. The Dutta family has been making and releasing phanush since 1924.
Instead, he displayed them at Bholanath Dham on Beadon Street. The tradition, started by Maniklal Dutta, is now in its 102nd year.