When is a prayer, not a prayer?
When the prayer is not from the heart…
Then what stops the sex workers of Sonagachi from praying to their goddess and participating in the rituals of Durga Puja festival?
Sonagachi, of Kolkata, India is the largest red light area in Asia. The area houses more than 11000 sex workers involved in various aspects of the trade. Once a year for six days, the city of Kolkata is gripped by the festive fervor of Durga Puja. However, till 2013 this festive spirit didn’t reach Sonagachi. The sex workers are socially barred from participating in the festival. Despite the fact that without the earth from a sex worker’s house, the idol of the goddess created for veneration during Durga Puja is considered incomplete, the very sex workers are ostracized from the festival because of their profession.
This is the story of how the sex workers of Sonagachi, claimed their right to worship Goddess Durga and their continuing struggles against a hypocritical society which questions their rights, by the virtue of the presumed morals of their profession.
(Her)History...
Way back in 2013, these sex workers with the help of their collective Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee went all the way to High Court to get the permission to have their own Durga Puja. They were allowed to hold the puja inside Durbar’s clinic “Avinash”.
The following year, the sex workers found themselves at the High Court again as their appeal to hold the puja in an outdoors Pandal was opposed. The space chosen for the pandal was contested by police as being an impediment for smooth flow of transport and emergency services. Various other communities have previously used the very same space to set up pandals for other festivals like Ganesh Puja and Kali Puja. However, the sex workers were compelled to hold their Durga Puja inside the clinic again.
However, this is just the story of Sonagachi, other red light areas of Kolkata like Kalighat, Mushigunj Road etc have not yet received the permission to hold their Durga Puja. Many sex workers travel to Sonagachi during the Puja to worship Goddess Durga.
What is Durga Puja?
Durga Puja is perhaps the most important festival for Bengalis all over the world. The festival is celebrated with a lot of passion in Kolkata. It marks the time when Goddess Durga fought and defeated the demon Mahisasura. It is a festival that celebrates triumph of good over evil.
However, it is not just the meaning of the festival that makes it important, it is how it is celebrated. Usually, for large scale Pujas, many communities come together to celebrate Durga Puja. Here various families gather together to worship the goddess and participate in the rituals. Smaller pujas are considered a family affair where generations of a family and the extended family attend the Puja and participate in the rituals. It is a very social festival.
In addition, an added attraction of Durga Puja is the Pandal, the outdoor temporary shed that are designed in the most artistic ways. These pandals house the goddess’s idol and also provide an area for various cultural programs, dance and music shows to take place. Large groups of families and friends are often seen traversing through various pandals, marveling at the architecture, worshiping the idols, checking out the cultural programs and having a merry time.
What is the story?
This year the sex workers are going to apply to have their puja in a pandal again. We are going to follow them through their journey. In addition, we will look into the importance of holding their own Durga Puja for these sex workers. The rituals and the festive spirit that was so far denied to them is being claimed by them. This is an account of sex workers fighting for their rights. At a deeper level it is a fight for human right; the right to worship your god/ goddess, as and how you wish.
For us, we want to make more people aware of the issue. Many people do not know that sex workers are the only group that cannot participate in Durga Puja. We hope that after this documentary, it becomes easier for the sex workers of Sonagachi and other red light areas of Kolkata to hold their Durga Puja as they want.
Where will the money go?
We have been working on the film for almost a year now and up to now this project has been 100% self funded. While my savings account has gotten us this far, the time has come to add committed resources that will turbo-charge the post-production process and ensure that we finish our film.
Our commitment to this project implies that we are going to finish it no matter how successful this campaign is, because we believe that this story must be told.
Our fundraising budget is designed to with the aim of avoiding the situation where the common man is oblivious to the film and the struggles of these women. For this reason we still need you to make sure that the film reaches everyone and makes a social impact.
When the campaign is a success the film will be sent to film festivals in India and abroad, where people just like you will get to know about the strength of these women. Afterwards, it will be available for DVD, TV, online streaming, educational distribution etc.
Do you have questions about Six Sacred Days ? Email us! info@sixsacreddays.com
Who is the Director?
I am Shruti Sengupta, an independent filmmaker in Mumbai. This is my second documentary film as a director.I have worked in Mumbai, India as a writer and assistant director; before that, in Delhi, I have worked as an assistant editor and assistant producer.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Share! Isn't that what film is all about? Tell your family, friends, enemies and anyone you know who's interested in film and culture! We want to get this out to anyone and everyone we know and by sharing with people you know, you're doing an amazing service to our film!
THANK YOU!
For taking the time and showing an interest in our film! I can't express my gratitude for everyone who's helped along the way and for anyone taking the time to read this. Keep checking back for updates as we head forward to finishing our project!
Sincerely,
Shruti Sengupta