Assam’s designer Nuruddin Ahmed appreciated for Puja model.
By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: For him ‘communalism’ or ‘secularism’ are just words used in books and he does not pay much heed to it. He is rather a devotee of ‘Beauty’ and reflects the unity in diversity culture of India. His name may be Nuruddin Ahmed but he is the main architect of a Durga Puja Pandal in Assam’s capital and he is quite proud of it.
“I’m an artiste. For me religion, caste, creed all these do not matter at all. I’m a worshiper of beauty and I’m happy if the people are happy with my creation,” this is what Ahmed has to say as his design of Bishnupur Puja with a Lord Ganesh image being appreciated by visitors in Guwahati.
Designer Nuruddin Ahmed in front of the design
Nuruddin Ahmed, a renowned designer of the region has crafted a huge – 74 ft in length and 55ft in height – model of Lord Ganesha as theme of the Puja pandal besides designing the entire Puja.
“I think this is the real sense of being an Indian and especially in Assam, Puja is a just a celebration of joy and happiness. We mingle with all and everybody here to make it a memorable one. We all are same and we enjoy every festival. Only a section of people with some other interests or the politicians try to divide is by using some specific terms,” said Ahmed whose elder son Deep Ahmed also assisted him in the project.
Even most of his fellow workers who have worked day and night to complete the pandal in 45 days are Muslims but it really does not matter.
On the other hand, the organizing committee too do not mind of Ahmed’s religious belief. According to them it’s the art work which is important for their Puja pandal than his personal identity. “He may be a Muslim but we respect him as an artiste and we are happy that he has agreed to work with us. We are thankful to Ahmed ji for making such a wonderful design which has attracted a huge number of visitors to our pandal,” said Sanjay Pal, a member of the committee.
Ahmed who has been in the trade of designing for more than three decades also does costume designing for films and theatre in Assam. He was born in Assam’s Nalbari before settling down in Guwahati after spending his childhood in Lakhimpur district.
Nuruddin Ahmed with his fellow workers.
His association with Puja does not end with designing alone as he has been a judge to award best Puja pandal in Guwahati for several years. “It has been part and parcel of my life. I may follow Islam as a religion but this is also very important for me and I quite enjoy it,” Ahmed who has won number of national awards including President’s award in 2003 further said.
Besides, he has number of achievements over the years. He has done most of the works in Srimanta Sankardev Kalashetra, a hub of cultural heritage of Assam including its main gate and Bhupen Hazarika Museum.