Kumartuli artisans face crunch time with days to go for Mahalaya

Kolkata: Kumartuli artisans are working round-the-clock to meet the deadline of delivery of Durga idols to the various Puja committees in the city and its surrounding areas.

"We cover the idol with plastic, but when it rains heavily the water seeps into the clay. This makes the idol wet," said Indrajit Paul, an artisan at Kumartuli.

First, the structure of the Durga idol is prepared. Then the structure is fleshed out with clay. The artisans keep the idol for drying from February to May. Once the clay becomes dry and hardens, the painting process starts.

Paul, who is also a scriptwriter and short-film maker, pointed out that 16 bamboo sticks are required to make the structure of a typical Durga idol. "When the structure becomes ready, we fill it up with gool (small ball of black clay)," he added.

While the building process starts in the month of February, the artisans need to deliver the Durga idols in the first

week of October, which is typically the time just before the onset of Durga Puja every

year. Depending upon the shape and size of the idol, the cost varies.

"The booking of Durga idols starts four months ahead of the grand festival. The rush of customers starts from the day of Rath. We make 10 idols and all the idols are sold every year. This year, we have to deliver all the idols before October 2," pointed out Indrajit.

Durga Puja is celebrated in homes as well in pandals. Small (Ekchala) Durga idols are used for worship in homes, while big idols are used for worship in pandals.

Durga Puja, also referred to as Durgotsav or Sharadotsav, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated across South Asia. This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 3 (Panchami) to October 8 (Vijaya Dashami).