Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Did Suchitra Sen Inspire a Famous Goddess Durga Idol?
Some people say that a famous Goddess Durga idol was made to look like actress Suchitra Sen.
The idol's sculptor was Ramesh Pal.
His son, Prasanta Pal, shared another way to think about the story in a newspaper profile.
He said the important thing was that his father was making a divine image.
Ramesh may not have been thinking about an actress while sculpting.
Still, Prasanta agreed that the idol's face looked like Suchitra.
Popular retellings say sculptor Ramesh Pal modelled Goddess Durga on actress Suchitra Sen.
Ramesh Pal's son, Prasanta Pal, offered a different perspective in an Anandabazar Patrika profile.
Prasanta said whether the idol resembled Suchitra was beside the point.
He suggested his father may have created the divine image without consciously picturing a film star.
Prasanta nevertheless acknowledged that the idol's face resembled the late actress.
- Who
- Sculptor Ramesh Pal, his son Prasanta Pal, and actress Suchitra Sen.
- What
- A report discusses whether Ramesh Pal based a Goddess Durga idol on Suchitra Sen.
- When
- The article gives no date for the sculpture or the profile.
- Where
- Anandabazar Patrika published the profile mentioned in the article; the sculpture's location is not stated.
- Why
- Prasanta Pal said his father was creating a divine image and may not have consciously pictured a film star.
Popular retelling
Prasanta Pal's perspective
Whether Suchitra Sen was the model
Popular retelling
Popular retellings describe the Durga idol as modelled on Suchitra Sen, reportedly because of her beauty.
Prasanta Pal's perspective
Prasanta Pal said resemblance was beside the point and his father may not have consciously pictured a film star while creating the divine image; he acknowledged the likeness.
- Sculptor
- Ramesh Pal
- Actress associated with the idol
- Suchitra Sen
- Source of the alternative perspective
- A profile of Ramesh Pal in Anandabazar Patrika
- Family member quoted
- Ramesh Pal's son, Prasanta Pal
- Popular retelling
- The idol was modelled on Suchitra Sen
- Prasanta Pal's account
- His father may not have consciously imagined an actress, though the idol's face resembled Suchitra Sen