Durga Puja is as much about dressing up and clicking photographs as it is about pandal-hopping, dhaak beats and plates of bhog. And if your wardrobe is still waiting for its Puja makeover, your photos do not necessarily have to.

With ChatGPT's image-generation capabilities, you can upload your own photograph and ask for a festive transformation using a detailed prompt.

From a classic Bengali saree look to a glamorous evening makeover, you can experiment with different outfits, styling, settings and moods while using your own picture as the starting point.

The trick is to tell ChatGPT exactly what you want changed and what you want preserved.

How to create your Puja makeover with ChatGPT

Start by uploading a clear photograph of yourself. A well-lit image where your face is clearly visible will generally make it easier to communicate the desired transformation.

Then describe the makeover you want. If you want to retain your identity, explicitly ask ChatGPT to preserve your facial features, face shape, skin tone and overall resemblance while changing the outfit, styling and background.

Here are some prompts you can try.

1. Classic Bengali Puja look

Prompt:

‘Transform my uploaded photo into an elegant traditional Bengali Durga Puja look. Dress me in a beautiful red-and-white Bengali saree with a classic drape, traditional gold jewellery, a subtle red bindi and elegant festive makeup. Keep my facial features, face shape, skin tone and identity unchanged. Use warm natural lighting and create a realistic Puja atmosphere with tasteful festive decorations in the background.’

2. Glamorous Puja night look

Prompt:

‘Give my uploaded photo a glamorous Durga Puja night makeover. Keep my face and identity exactly recognisable while styling me in an elegant traditional saree with sophisticated jewellery and festive makeup. Create a beautifully lit evening Puja background with warm lights and subtle bokeh. Make the final image photorealistic and stylish, like a professional festive photoshoot.’

3. Pandal-hopping look

Prompt:

‘Transform my uploaded photograph into a stylish Durga Puja pandal-hopping portrait. Keep my original facial features and identity unchanged. Give me a contemporary Bengali festive outfit, elegant accessories and natural makeup. Place me outside a beautifully decorated Puja pandal with realistic evening lighting, people softly blurred in the background and a candid photography feel.’

4. Traditional Ashtami look

Prompt:

‘Turn my uploaded photo into an elegant Ashtami morning Puja portrait. Preserve my exact facial identity and natural features. Dress me in a traditional Bengali saree with classic gold jewellery, a small bindi and understated festive makeup. Create a realistic Puja setting with soft morning light, flowers and subtle festive decorations.’

5. Retro Bengali Puja makeover

Prompt:

‘Give my uploaded photograph a timeless Bengali Puja makeover inspired by classic Bengali fashion. Keep my facial features and identity unchanged. Style me in a traditional saree with vintage-inspired jewellery, hair and makeup. Create a warm, slightly nostalgic Puja atmosphere with natural lighting and a subtle retro photography aesthetic. Keep the result realistic rather than overly stylised.’

A few things to remember

  1. The more specific the prompt, the more control you have over the final image. Instead of simply asking for a ‘Puja look’, mention the saree style, jewellery, makeup, hairstyle, setting, lighting and overall mood you want.
  2. It is also useful to tell the AI what not to change. If you want the result to still look like you, mention that your facial identity, facial structure, skin tone and key features should be preserved.
  3. You can also experiment with different versions of the same photograph. One prompt can create a traditional Ashtami look, another can give you a glamorous Saptami-night makeover, while a third can turn the image into a candid pandal-hopping shot.
  4. And if the first result is not quite right, there is no need to start from scratch. Tell ChatGPT what needs changing, such as the saree colour, jewellery, hairstyle, background or lighting, while asking it to retain the rest of the image.

This Puja, your actual wardrobe may have limits. Your AI wardrobe does not.