(Picture source)
If ever you want to see craft in motion, now is the time to visit Kumortuli. Scores of artisans are busy putting final touches to the idols that will shortly make their way to puja pandals near and far. Kumortuli is now a bee-hive of activity. But why only Kumortuli? Hundreds of clay artisans in Kolkata and elsewhere in the state are engaged day and night in making clay idols.
These days though, clay idols have given way to fiberglass idols, which are more durable, and therefore preferable for overseas buyers. Talking of overseas buyers, their numbers appear to be on the rise. There is a growing interest among people from different corners of globe. Few years back, I chanced upon a Brazilian couple during puja, who were held up because all the flights were full. They were thanking heavens for being forced to spend Puja period in Kolkata, for otherwise they won’t have known that such grand spectacle of celebrations (equivalent to their carnivals) does indeed happen in India, of all the places.
In London this year, British Museum is the place where a 20-foot Durga idol is being made for a community puja in Camden in the north of the city. Artisans, drummers and others are slowly congregating at the venue. The idol is planned to be immersed in the Thames at the culmination of a long procession. People are palpably excited, including Richard Blurton, assistant keeper of British Museum’s Asia department, and justifiably, no effort is left unattended to make the event a grand success.
Finishing touches (Picture source)
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