K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering culture.
Image Source:Calebo quendo
A New Chapter in Cultural Celebration
In a landmark move that redefines the national calendar, Australia has officially established AusArt Day — a dedicated annual celebration of the country’s rich artistic heritage, contemporary creativity, and Indigenous cultural expression. The inaugural AusArt Day, set to be observed on October 12, marks the first time a national holiday has been created solely to honour the visual, performing, and literary arts across all states and territories.
This historic initiative reflects a growing recognition of art’s role in shaping Australia’s identity, bridging communities, and amplifying voices that have long been underrepresented. From Dreamtime storytelling to digital installations, AusArt Day is designed to celebrate the full spectrum of Australian creativity.
Why AusArt Day Matters
A Cultural Milestone
AusArt Day is more than a symbolic gesture — it’s a structural commitment to the arts. It provides a platform for artists, educators, galleries, and communities to showcase work, host events, and engage in national dialogue about the role of creativity in civic life.
Economic and Educational Impact
The arts contribute over $17 billion annually to Australia’s economy and employ hundreds of thousands across sectors. AusArt Day is expected to boost tourism, support local businesses, and encourage arts education in schools through nationwide workshops, exhibitions, and public performances.
Inclusivity and Representation
The day will spotlight Indigenous artists, migrant voices, and regional creators, ensuring that Australia’s artistic narrative reflects its full diversity. Grants and commissions tied to AusArt Day will prioritize underrepresented communities, fostering equity in cultural production.
Timeline: How AusArt Day Came to Be
2022: National arts advocacy groups begin lobbying for a dedicated cultural holiday.
2023: Parliamentary committee on cultural development recommends formal recognition of a national arts day.
2024: Legislation passed with bipartisan support to establish AusArt Day as a recurring national observance.
2025: First official AusArt Day announced, with coordinated events planned across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra.
What to Expect on AusArt Day
Nationwide Events
Public exhibitions in major galleries and outdoor spaces
Live performances from theatre, dance, and music ensembles
Community art walks and open studios
School programs integrating art history and hands-on creation
Digital showcases featuring emerging artists and virtual installations
Signature Projects
The AusArt Trail: A curated map of landmark art sites and installations across Australia
The National Canvas: A collaborative mural project involving artists from every state and territory
Voices of the Land: A storytelling initiative led by Indigenous elders and youth
Historical Context: Australia’s Artistic Legacy
Australia’s artistic traditions span tens of thousands of years, beginning with the world’s oldest continuous cultures — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples — whose rock art, ceremonial designs, and oral histories form the foundation of national identity.
European settlement introduced new forms, from colonial portraiture to Federation-era architecture. The 20th century saw the rise of modernist painters like Sidney Nolan and Margaret Preston, while the 21st century has embraced digital art, multicultural fusion, and global collaboration.
AusArt Day honours this continuum, positioning Australia as a global leader in cultural innovation and preservation.
Official Statements from Creative Australia
AusArt Day is spearheaded by Creative Australia, the national arts funding and development agency. According to their official announcement:
“AusArt Day is designed to support artists and arts organisations to fundraise on one national day, and to increase the donor pool in support of Australian creativity whilst elevating the public value of the arts in the consciousness of everyday Australians.”
This initiative is part of a broader cultural shift aimed at increasing philanthropy to the arts sector. Creative Australia emphasizes:
“Giving to and through the arts is an investment in Australia’s future, with social impact cutting across portfolios, from health and wellbeing, education and child development, to social cohesion and community resilience.”
These statements reflect a strategic vision: AusArt Day is not just a celebration, but a structural intervention to strengthen the arts ecosystem through visibility, funding, and public engagement.
The Future of AusArt Day
The government has pledged ongoing funding for AusArt Day initiatives, including artist residencies, regional outreach programs, and international exchange opportunities. Plans are underway to integrate AusArt Day into school curricula and to establish an annual AusArt Prize recognizing outstanding contributions across disciplines.
As the day gains traction, it may evolve into a week-long festival, with satellite events in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Australian embassies worldwide.
A Canvas for the Nation
AusArt Day is more than a date — it’s a declaration. A declaration that Australia values its artists, its stories, and its creative spirit. In celebrating AusArt Day, the nation paints a future where culture is central, creativity is celebrated, and every voice has a place on the canvas.
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
Image Source: AFP/Getty Images
Three years after Sri Lankans stormed their presidential palace, mass protests have erupted across South Asia, toppling governments in Bangladesh and sparking violent youth-led movements in Nepal. Analysts say the region’s upheavals share common roots: ineffective governance, corruption, and a young population unwilling to tolerate misrule.
In Nepal, a Generation Z-driven uprising saw the country’s parliamentary estate set ablaze, leaving at least 72 dead and Prime Minister KP Oli’s administration in tatters. Observers attribute the unrest to long-standing frustrations over fragile coalitions, corruption scandals, and the privileges of political elites’ children, dubbed “nepokids.” The government’s sudden social media ban only intensified public anger.
Bangladesh experienced a similar shock last year when protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee after years of high inflation, unemployment, and democratic backsliding. While her interim government promises elections and reforms, political divisions have hampered progress.
Sri Lanka’s 2022 crisis followed a financial meltdown and the Rajapaksa family’s extended rule, with mass protests fueled by inflation, fuel shortages, and power blackouts, ultimately forcing both the prime minister and president to resign.
Experts note that external actors played little role in these uprisings. “Any country featuring similar socioeconomic and governance conditions would be at higher risk,” says Derek Grossman, professor of international relations at the University of Southern California. Analysts caution that suppressing dissent with force or draconian bans only exacerbates unrest.
What makes the latest wave distinctive is its generational character. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are demanding transparency, accountability, and open-data governance. “Ignore these tremors at your peril,” warns Komal Aryal, a lecturer in crisis management. Countries like Pakistan and the Maldives, facing economic fragility and political polarization, may be at the highest risk of similar upheaval, while India remains comparatively stable but not immune to the lessons of its neighbors.
The recent unrest across Colombo, Dhaka, and Kathmandu signals a seismic shift: governments failing to engage digitally savvy youth may find themselves blindsided by the next wave of popular uprising.
An authentic cultural journey by Jeet Live from Kolkata during Durga Puja 2025
Kolkata, September 26, 2025. Jai Durga Ma As I write this from the heart of Kolkata during the most magical time of the year, I can hear the distant echo of dhak beats mixing with the joyous chatter of families heading out for their nightly pandal-hopping adventures. This is the true India that the world rarely gets to witness a civilization where ancient roots run so deep that they nourish a culture of boundless love, unwavering commitment, and extraordinary community spirit.
Last night, despite the lingering effects of September 23rd's heavy rainfall that delayed several pandal openings, I embarked on what every Bengali considers sacred, the journey through illuminated streets, crowded markets, and the spiritual landscape that transforms Kolkata into something beyond a mere city. This is my attempt to share with you the authentic experience of Durga Puja in Kolkata not through tourist eyes, but through the heart of someone who understands that this festival represents the very essence of what it means to be Bengali.
The Festival That Defines a Civilization To understand Durga Puja in Kolkata, you must first grasp that this isn't just a religious observance it's the annual rebirth of Bengali civilization itself. For four sacred days, every Bengali heart, whether in Kolkata or scattered across the globe, beats to the same rhythm of homecoming, celebration, and divine devotion.
This festival is our identity card to the world, our passport to cultural immortality, and our annual reminder of who we are beneath all the modern complexities of urban life. When Ma Durga comes home to Bengal, She doesn't just visit temples She transforms an entire city into Her divine dwelling, making every street a pilgrimage path and every neighborhood a sacred destination.The importance of this festival cannot be measured in economic terms or tourist footfall it lives in the tear of joy that rolls down a grandmother's cheek when she sees her granddaughter dressed in traditional red and white, in the patient smile of a father carrying his sleeping child from pandal to pandal at 2 AM, and in the collective exhale of 14 million people who become one family for four magical days.
When a Metropolis Becomes a Village Perhaps the most remarkable transformation I witness every year is how this sprawling metropolis of Kolkata suddenly morphs into an intimate collection of neighborhoods, each with its own character, its own pandal, its own story to tell. The city that moves at breakneck speed throughout the year suddenly adopts the gentle pace of a village during Puja.
Last night, as I navigated through the post-rain streets, I was struck by how naturally this transformation occurs. Families pack into rickshaws, autos, and taxis, embarking on nocturnal pilgrimages that create a beautiful human river flowing from pandal to pandal. What moves me most is the complete absence of age barriers I witnessed grandfathers in their eighties carefully carrying two-month-old babies, ensuring even the youngest family members receive Ma Durga's blessings.This is democracy at its most beautiful when a CEO and a street vendor stand in the same queue, when a professor and a student share the same anticipation, when everyone becomes equal in their devotion to the Mother.
The Miracle of Safety: When a City Becomes a Sanctuary One phenomenon that fills me with immense pride about Kolkata during Durga Puja something that deserves global recognition is how this city transforms into arguably the safest place in India for women during these four nights. This transformation is so complete and organic that it challenges everything the world thinks it knows about urban safety in India. During my midnight pandal visits, I witness scenes that restore my faith in humanity: teenage girls traveling alone at 2 AM, fully decked in their finest saris, confidently moving through crowds of thousands. Young women navigate the city at hours that would be unimaginable during regular times, elderly ladies venture out alone for midnight darshan, and mothers with small children explore distant neighborhoods without fear.
This isn't achieved through increased policing alone though security is certainly enhanced. This safety emerges from a collective social consciousness where an entire city becomes protective of everyone's right to celebrate. Every man becomes a protective brother, every elder becomes a guardian, every stranger becomes family. It's a social miracle born from shared devotion to Ma Durga and the understanding that Her festival belongs to everyone.
This is the Kolkata I dream of year-round where women can move freely at any hour, where safety is a given right, not a privilege, where community protection replaces individual fear. During these four days, this dream becomes a beautiful reality.
Streets Painted with Divine Light As darkness falls, Kolkata undergoes its most spectacular transformation. The entire city becomes a canvas of light, with each neighborhood competing to create the most beautiful illumination. But it's not just the organized pandal lighting that takes your breath away every home, every small tea stall, every tree seems to glow with festive lights.
The streets during Puja nights create a wonderland that rivals any global light festival. LED installations tell mythological stories through moving patterns, while traditional diyas provide warm, golden glows that connect this modern celebration to its ancient spiritual roots. The recent rain has left the streets gleaming, creating perfect mirror reflections of all this illumination, it's as if the city is dressed in its finest jewelry for Ma Durga's arrival.
Walking through these illuminated streets at midnight feels like moving through a living prayer, where every light represents a family's devotion, every decoration tells a story of faith, and every glowing pandal becomes a beacon calling devotees home.
The Sacred Queues: Where Patience Meets Devotion The darshan queues during Durga Puja represent something beautiful about Bengali culture, the understanding that some experiences are worth waiting for. These aren't just lines; they're temporary communities where strangers become friends, sharing food, stories, and the collective anticipation of seeing Ma Durga.
Some famous pandals require hours of queuing, while others offer the freedom to walk through and experience the artistry at your own pace. During my ongoing exploration of this Puja, I'm discovering both types, and each offers its own unique spiritual experience.
In the long queues, I watch elderly grandmothers patiently explaining the significance of Ma Durga's various forms to curious grandchildren, while young couples stand hand in hand, creating memories that will last lifetimes. The wait becomes part of the pilgrimage, part of the spiritual journey that makes the eventual darshan even more meaningful.
There's no impatience, no complaints, only shared understanding that seeing Ma Durga is worth every minute of anticipation. These queues become melting pots where social hierarchies disappear and everyone becomes equal in their devotion.
Breaking the Myth: The Bengali Way of Celebration Let me address one of the most beautiful misunderstandings about Durga Puja our food culture that sets Bengal apart from the rest of India during Navratri. While much of India observes fasting during these nine days, Bengalis embrace feasting, and there's profound cultural reasoning behind this joyous difference.
Bengali mothers have a saying: "Mach kheley buddhi barey" (Fish consumption boosts intellect) – and while this always brings smiles, the deeper truth lies in how we conceptualize Durga Puja. This isn't a time of austerity and penance; it's a celebration of Ma Durga's homecoming to Her maternal home. When a beloved daughter returns home, what does a Bengali mother do? She prepares the most elaborate, loving feast possible.
Both Picture credit to Singhi Park Puja , Ballygunge, Kolkata,WB-29
The streets come alive with incredible food culture during Puja nights. Famous puchka (water bolls / Golgappas)vendors set up special stalls that operate until dawn, their locations becoming social gathering points where people from different pandal visits meet and share their experiences. The aroma of non-vegetarian delicacies especially fish and biryani fills the air, creating an olfactory map of celebration that's uniquely Bengali.
This is where our food philosophy becomes spiritually significant. Fish and mutton, when prepared in the Niramish way (without onion and garlic), can be offered to Ma Durga, especially after Sandhi Puja or during Kali Puja. In Bengali culture, non-vegetarian food symbolizes abundance, fertility, and prosperity. Fish, in particular, represents life, flowing divine grace, and the abundance that Ma Durga brings to Her devotees.
The night food culture is spectacular with Biryani stalls serving steaming aromatic rice until sunrise, fish fry vendors becoming neighborhood celebrities, sweet shops creating Puja-special delicacies. This isn't just eating; it's cultural communion, a way of celebrating abundance and expressing gratitude for Ma Durga's blessings.
Architectural Marvels: Where Imagination Becomes Reality During my pandal visits, what consistently amazes me is the extraordinary level of artistic imagination and craftsmanship that transforms temporary bamboo structures into architectural masterpieces. The architects who design these pandals aren't just creating religious installations, they're crafting immersive experiences that transport visitors to different worlds.
Last night, despite weather delays affecting some openings, the pandals that welcomed devotees showcased incredible themes that demonstrate how traditional devotion can embrace contemporary artistic innovation. The dedication of the workers who continue their installations through rain and challenges speaks to something deeper than professional commitment, it's devotional service expressed through exceptional craftsmanship.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the committee members and workers who labor tirelessly to turn imagination into reality. These unsung heroes work through the night with perfectionist attention to detail, understanding that they're creating something sacred, not just decorative. Their commitment goes beyond professional obligation, it's love for Ma Durga expressed through art.
Every year, these pandals push the boundaries of creativity while maintaining their spiritual essence. Some recreate famous temples, others mirror international landmarks, and the most innovative ones create entirely fantastical worlds. Each represents months of planning, fundraising, and community cooperation, true grassroots democracy in action.
The True India: Roots That Run Deep As I continue my exploration during this Puja, moving through crowds, engaging with locals, experiencing the festival in the local language and local style, I'm reminded that this is the true India that the world rarely sees. This is a civilization where ancient roots run so deep that they continue to nourish a culture of incredible richness, commitment, and community bonding.
In an era of globalization and cultural homogenization, Kolkata's Durga Puja stands as proof that authentic traditions can not only survive but thrive and evolve while maintaining their spiritual core. The way Bengalis remain connected to their cultural roots while embracing modernity offers a model for the world showing that progress doesn't require abandoning identity.
The conversations I have with locals during these midnight pandal visits reveal something beautiful: despite all the changes in modern life, the core values that define Bengali culture, respect for artistry, love for community, devotion to the divine feminine, and joy in celebration remain unchanged.
A Living Experience: My Ongoing Journey I'm still here in Kolkata during this Puja, and I'm committed to covering as much as possible, sharing authentic experiences with you through Jadetimes.com. Each night brings new discoveries, new conversations, new understanding of why this festival means so much to Bengali hearts worldwide.
I'm exploring pandals that require patient queuing alongside others that offer free-flowing experiences. I'm tasting street food at 3 AM, watching sunrise after all-night celebrations, engaging with families who travel from rural Bengal just to experience Kolkata's Puja magic, and documenting the beautiful chaos that emerges when millions of people celebrate together in harmony.
This isn't tourism, this is cultural immersion, an attempt to capture and share the living, breathing essence of a tradition that represents the highest expressions of human creativity, devotion, and community spirit.
Your Invitation to Authentic Experience If you're planning to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja, here's my sincere recommendation: don't come as a tourist come as a cultural participant. Visit Gariahat market and purchase traditional dhoti-kurta or beautiful saris. Dress like locals, eat like locals, and most importantly, approach the festival with the reverence and joy that it deserves.
Join the queues, taste the street food, engage with families, and allow yourself to be absorbed into the collective celebration. This is how you'll experience the true magic of Durga Puja not as an observer, but as a participant in one of humanity's most beautiful cultural expressions.
The Universal Message As I continue documenting this extraordinary festival, I'm struck by how Durga Puja in Kolkata offers something the world desperately needs proof that large-scale human gatherings can be peaceful, inclusive, artistic, and spiritually elevating. In an era of global division, Kolkata demonstrates an alternative: millions of people coming together in celebration rather than conflict, creating beauty rather than destruction, fostering inclusion rather than exclusion.This is soft power at its most magnificent cultural influence that inspires rather than intimidates, traditions that unite rather than divide, celebrations that elevate the human spirit rather than diminish it.
