3 weeks ago
Kumartuli's focus shifts back to traditional shabeki Durga idols
Every year, people in Kolkata celebrate Durga Puja, a big festival with beautiful statues of the goddess Durga.
Many of these statues are made by artists in a place called Kumartuli.
This year, most people want traditional-looking statues instead of new and creative ones.
Some artists say the new government quietly asked them not to try new styles.
Making statues got harder this year because special clay became very hard to find.
When the clay finally arrived, it cost almost twice as much as before.
Some workers went back to their villages or moved away to find other jobs.
Because of that, there are fewer workers to make the statues.
There was also a problem with the bamboo used to build the statue frames, but that got fixed.
In the end, some people think fewer statues will be made, while others think the number will stay about the same.
Kumartuli idol makers report a clear shift this year toward traditional shabeki Durga idols over theme-based designs.
Artisans cite unofficial instructions to avoid experimentation with Durga idols since the new government took over.
A nearly one-and-a-half-month clay crisis created a huge backlog, with etel clay prices almost doubling and a shortage of labour.
Bamboo soaking in the Ganga was temporarily halted but resumed after discussions with the River Police.
Opinions differ on output: some expect fewer idols due to the backlog, while others say production will remain similar to previous years.
- Who
- Artisans, idol makers and studio owners in Kumartuli, along with representatives of the Durgotsab Forum and the Kumartuli Mritshilpi Sanskritik Samity.
- What
- A shift toward traditional shabeki Durga idols amid a clay and bamboo crisis affecting production ahead of Durga Puja.
- Where
- Kumartuli, Kolkata.
- When
- This year, in the months leading up to Durga Puja.
- Why
- Unofficial instructions reportedly favouring traditional idols since the new government took over, compounded by a clay shortage, rising prices and earlier restrictions on bamboo soaking.
Theme-based creativity
Traditional shabeki focus
Preference for idol styles
Theme-based creativity
Themed idols are also a form of art; creativity cannot be suppressed, and themed idols will still be produced this year, though perhaps fewer than before.
Traditional shabeki focus
The preference is clearly tilted towards shabeki Durga idols, with organisers leaning more toward Maa's conventional form since the new government took over.
Expected production output
Theme-based creativity
Orders remain steady, work has resumed, and overall output is likely to remain similar to previous years despite higher clay prices.
Traditional shabeki focus
The clay crisis created a huge backlog that will affect overall output, so Kumartuli is likely to produce fewer idols this year.
Key facts
- Event
- Durga Puja
- Location
- Kumartuli, Kolkata
- Trend
- Shift from themed to shabeki (traditional) Durga idols
- Clay crisis duration
- Nearly one-and-a-half months
- Etel clay price
- Approximately doubled
- Labour impact
- Shortage of workers; some returned to villages or left for other states
- Idol height guidance
- At or below 11 feet to facilitate smooth immersion through railway gates
- Bamboo soaking
- Resumed in the Ganga after discussions with the River Police
Quotes
Anjan Ukil
Member of the Durgotsab Forum in Kolkata
“"Since the new government took over, there have been unofficial instructions to avoid experimentation with idols of Goddess Durga. As a result, organisers are leaning more towards Maa's shabeki form."”
telegraphindia.com
“"Just like conventional Durga idols, themed idols are also a form of art. There will still be themed idols this year, though perhaps fewer than before."”
telegraphindia.com








