Kolkata's Durga Puja, West Bengal's biggest festival, is almost three months away, but the Kumartuli pottery center in north Kolkata is already bustling with activity, as artisans diligently carve idols to deliver overseas orders on time. .
With meticulous attention, idols of the goddess in different sizes are being made to meet the requests of puja organizers abroad.
Durga Puja will be celebrated this year from October 9 to 13.
Renowned clay modeler Kaushik Ghosh is working midnight sculpting an eight-foot fiberglass idol for the London Durgotsav Committee in Camden.
"At least 36 idols will be shipped to countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Singapore this year. Half of this shipment will be sent this month, by sea or air, while the rest will arrive by August," Ghosh said.
"We are committed to maintaining the 'sabeki' (traditional) look of Maa Durga on each idol. However, we are adding some unique touches. For example, the Camden puja will feature an 'ekchala' idol where the goddess and her offspring are integrated into a single structure," he explained.
Another artisan, Mintu Pal, is busy making idols for 21 puja committees abroad. Eleven images have already been sent to countries including the United States, Germany, Canada, France, Spain, Switzerland and Dubai, she said.
"Six idols have been sent to the United States, where Bengali expatriates in several states celebrate the festival with fervor. Similarly, Bengali communities in Germany and Switzerland show equal enthusiasm for Durga Puja," Pal said.
Clay modeler Mantu Paul said one of his idols has already been shipped to Florida in the US, and that work is progressing rapidly on two more bound for the same destination.
"In the coming weeks, the idols will be shipped to Germany, Canada and Australia," Paul said.
In total, artisans estimate that at least 100 Kumartuli idols will be sent abroad this year.
Mantu Paul has also reserved two finished 'ekchala' idols, each about 3 feet tall, for organizers interested in smaller images of Durga.
"These clay idols, priced around Rs 15,000 each, are for sale by Bengali associations or groups of friends," he said.
Artisans also use online platforms for preliminary bookings, which are followed by detailed signing procedures.
The organizers or their representatives must visit the studios at least once to finalize preparations.
"While some local organizers have deviated from the traditional 'sanatani roop' (traditional appearance) of Maa Durga, those residing abroad or outside West Bengal are unwavering in their reverence for the deity," emphasized Paul, who has more 50 years of experience in this craft.
With meticulous attention, idols of the goddess in different sizes are being made to meet the requests of puja organizers abroad.
Durga Puja will be celebrated this year from October 9 to 13.
Renowned clay modeler Kaushik Ghosh is working midnight sculpting an eight-foot fiberglass idol for the London Durgotsav Committee in Camden.
"At least 36 idols will be shipped to countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Singapore this year. Half of this shipment will be sent this month, by sea or air, while the rest will arrive by August," Ghosh said.
"We are committed to maintaining the 'sabeki' (traditional) look of Maa Durga on each idol. However, we are adding some unique touches. For example, the Camden puja will feature an 'ekchala' idol where the goddess and her offspring are integrated into a single structure," he explained.
Another artisan, Mintu Pal, is busy making idols for 21 puja committees abroad. Eleven images have already been sent to countries including the United States, Germany, Canada, France, Spain, Switzerland and Dubai, she said.
"Six idols have been sent to the United States, where Bengali expatriates in several states celebrate the festival with fervor. Similarly, Bengali communities in Germany and Switzerland show equal enthusiasm for Durga Puja," Pal said.
Clay modeler Mantu Paul said one of his idols has already been shipped to Florida in the US, and that work is progressing rapidly on two more bound for the same destination.
"In the coming weeks, the idols will be shipped to Germany, Canada and Australia," Paul said.
In total, artisans estimate that at least 100 Kumartuli idols will be sent abroad this year.
Mantu Paul has also reserved two finished 'ekchala' idols, each about 3 feet tall, for organizers interested in smaller images of Durga.
"These clay idols, priced around Rs 15,000 each, are for sale by Bengali associations or groups of friends," he said.
Artisans also use online platforms for preliminary bookings, which are followed by detailed signing procedures.
The organizers or their representatives must visit the studios at least once to finalize preparations.
"While some local organizers have deviated from the traditional 'sanatani roop' (traditional appearance) of Maa Durga, those residing abroad or outside West Bengal are unwavering in their reverence for the deity," emphasized Paul, who has more 50 years of experience in this craft.
