বাংলায় পড়ুন
The biggest festival of Bengalis – Durga Puja – this year will be celebrated 11 days ahead compared to last year and thus sculptors at Kumartuli, the north Kolkata neighbourhood, have already began preparations for making idols. Different parts of the place are already showing signs of early beginnings as workers are seen preparing the structure with bamboo and hay and at some places the first coating of earth has also been done. Some other artists have moved a step ahead and had been readying the faces of Maa Durga.
Till a few days ago the mood among potter community was looking gloomy but now it is a lot upbeat. Organisers of both private and community pujas are visiting Kumartuli to order their idols.
On some idols are hanging bills with names or numbers of individuals or puja committees. Goddess Durga along with her entire family comprising Kartik, Ganesha, Saraswati and Lakshmi are seen crammed up in small rooms of Kumartuli sculptors. “Once under a contract, buyers will expect an on-time delivery of idols which is why we have begun early because there can be several impediments in place especially unfavourable weather,” said one of the sculptors while he worked on a Ganesha idol.
Another, Kartik Pal said that every day counted and especially this year as Pujas have come ahead by 11 days which meant that not only Durga Puja but Lakshmi and Kali puja too will be celebrated earlier and they will have to be ready with idols accordingly.
“Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is carried out at households so the demand for Lakshmi idols is naturally very high,” Kartik said adding that he has been in the business for over 15 years and now finds there is more demand for theme idols than it used to be earlier.
It was also found out that godowns in the vicinity have also been booked earlier to store idols. These idols would be brought out ahead of puja for painting and delivery.
